Star-Telegram endorsement in Democratic primary, Tarrant County commissioner | Opinion
Four Democrats are running in the primary for County Commissioner Precinct 1, and the winner is the likely successor to Roy Charles Brooks, the longtime commissioner who is retiring. Each brings strengths, but Roderick Miles, who is currently a top assistant to Brooks, would be best positioned to hit the ground running.
Miles, 52, is emphasizing health care and expanded service through the JPS Health Network, including mental health and behavioral health support.
If elected, Miles would focus on developing infrastructure that supports businesses and attracts them to Tarrant County. A resident of southwest Fort Worth, Miles also has broad business support, a benefit to a position such as county commissioner.
Darryl Brewer, 63, a business owner and business chamber leader who lives in the Sycamore School Road area, is a sharp, informed former soldier. His desire to cut down expenses at the jail is noted, as is his suggestion to tackle infrastructure for roads and bridges. In our interview, Brewer, 63, presented a knowledge of the pressing issues at hand, and we can see him having a future as a civic leader.
Kathleen Hicks, 51, is a former City Council member and resident of the Riverside area. In our interview, she lacked specific details of what she would like to accomplish as a commissioner.
Mia Hall, a Crowley ISD trustee, has an extensive background in education and a thorough knowledge of what needs to be done in this role. A resident of southwest Fort Worth, Hall, 46, is knowledgeable about what this role requires. For her, healthcare expansion would be a top priority, too. She had good ideas about how to solve problems within the jail. She could easily have a future in higher public office.
Precinct 1 covers south and southwest Tarrant County, including much of Fort Worth, Benbrook, Crowley, Forest Hill, Kennedale, Edgecliff and part of Burleson. Early voting starts Feb. 20 and runs until March 1. The primary is March 5. If no candidate wins more than half the vote, the top two will advance to a runoff.
The winner will face Michael Barber, who is unopposed in the Republican primary. The position is elected every four years.
Editor’s note: An earlier version incorrectly described where candidate Mia Hall lives.
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 February 14, 2024 at 5:28 AM.