GOP House runoff comes down to ex-mayor, newcomer. Here’s our recommendation
Newcomer Nate Schatzline surprised political observers when he finished first in the Republican primary for House District 93, which covers parts of north Fort Worth and Saginaw, as well as all of Haslet and Blue Mound.
Hill, who now lives in Fort Worth, would focus on the district’s needs. As a former mayor, she honed in on the importance of education and would be the right person to help address the construction headaches caused by the sudden growth of the Alliance area.
Despite Schatzline’s popularity, the polished, 30-year-old pastor from has focused on local school issues such as critical race theory for much of the contest. He has yet to show an understanding of the district’s economic needs and is not quite ready for the Legislature.
Schatzline is a member of Mercy Culture Church; Mercy Culture’s pastors Landon and Heather Schott have endorsed him in the race.
Unlike many races with two similar candidates from the same party, Hill and Schatzline are polar opposites in many ways. The outcome will reveal if voters care more about a candidate who aligns with issues traditionally associated with social conservatives or one who has more on-point experience and will focus on education and taxes.
The winner will face Democrat KC Chowdhury, who ran unopposed, in the November general election. The seat is currently held by Rep. Matt Krause, who is running for district attorney.
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.
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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.