Here’s our recommendation as Senate veteran faces rematch in Fort Worth-based district
In the race for Senate District 9, which includes most of the northern half of Tarrant County, voters are getting a rematch between incumbent Republican Kelly Hancock and retired teacher Gwenn Burud.
Hancock, 59, who lives in North Richland Hills, has earned a third full term.
First elected in 2012, Hancock has made a name for himself among conservatives as a leader in the legislature. Hancock has been on multiple committees, including as chairman of the Veterans Affairs panel.
Last year, Hancock authored legislation that Gov. Greg Abbott signed to reform the Electric Reliability Council of Texas after the grid shutdown in 2021. While work remains to be done, it was an important step toward improving accountability.
Hancock, who suffers from a rare genetic kidney disease, received an organ donation this summer from his son-in-law. He has been cleared to return to normal activities by his physician.
Burud, 54, of Fort Worth gave Hancock a closer race than expected in 2018. She’s running on a standard Democratic platform, focusing on teacher pay and benefits. But she can’t match Hancock’s experience.
Early voting runs Monday through Nov. 4. Election Day is Nov. 8.
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.
This story was originally published October 20, 2022 at 5:31 AM.