Parker County is in a new Texas House district. Here’s our Republican runoff recommendation
The primary runoff in state House District 60, which lies west of Fort Worth, is a timely representation of an ongoing dispute in the Texas Republican Party.
Rep. Glenn Rogers, seeking a second term in the Capitol, is plenty conservative, despite what those arrayed against him would have you believe, and has also demonstrated an ability to be effective in Austin. He deserves the GOP nomination.
Rogers, a veterinarian and rancher who lives near Graford in Palo Pinto County, has been a target of the crowd associated with the former Empower Texans group, funded largely by oil billionaires Tim Dunn and Farris Wilks. His runoff opponent, conservative activist Mike Olcott, has spent a large amount of his own money, too.
Rogers, 66, speaks plainly about his support for public education and opposition to school vouchers, which could be a major issue in the Legislature next year. And in our interview, he clearly delineated between his approach to representing the district and the type of candidate who merely wants to fight ideological wars with leaders such as House Speaker Dade Phelan.
With that approach, he’s worked on issues important to the district, such as transportation, while being plenty tough on, for example, border security.
The newly drawn District 60 needs that kind of focus. It was largely rural until maps were redrawn last year. Now, it’s centered in Parker County, meaning many of its communities will increasingly face challenges stemming from exurban growth.
Olcott, a scientist who lives near Aledo, seems more likely to stir the pot on hot-button hard-right issues rather than work to gain allies to serve District 60. He did not attend our interview.
The race has drawn an interesting mix of endorsements; Gov. Greg Abbott supports Rogers, while Sen. Ted Cruz is backing Olcott. Rogers led among the initial four primary candidates, with nearly 44% of the vote, while Olcott took 36%.
No Democrat is running, so the runoff winner will almost certainly capture the seat. Early voting runs from May 16 through May 20. Election Day is May 24.
BEHIND THE STORY
MOREHey, who is behind these endorsements?
Members of the Editorial Board, which serves as the Fort Worth Star-Telegram’s institutional voice, decide candidates and positions to recommend to voters. The members of the board are: Cynthia M. Allen, columnist; Steve Coffman, editor and president; Bud Kennedy, columnist; Ryan J. Rusak, opinion editor; and Nicole Russell, opinion writer.
Members of our Community Advisory Board may also participate in candidate interviews and offer their views, but they do not vote on which candidate to recommend.
Read more by clicking the arrow in the upper right.
How does the process work?
The Editorial Board interviews candidates, asking about positions on issues, experience and qualifications, and how they would approach holding the office for which they are running. Board members do additional research on candidates’ backgrounds and the issues at hand. After that, members discuss the candidates and generally aim to arrive at a consensus, though not necessarily unanimity. All members contribute observations and ideas, so the resulting editorials represent the board’s view, not a particular writer.
How do partisanship and ideology factor in?
We’re not tied to one party or the other, and our positions on issues range across the ideological spectrum. We tend to prefer candidates who align with our previously stated positions, but qualifications, temperament and experience are important, too.
