Star-Telegram endorsement: Democrats’ best choice in southwest Tarrant race | Opinion
Even without an incumbent in the race, Democrats face long odds in Texas House District 97, a heavily Republican area that covers Benbrook, most of Crowley, White Settlement and parts of southwest Fort Worth.
The party’s best option is Carlos Walker, a Fort Worth ISD administrator whose work in education gives him a strong grasp of the needs of his potential constituents. Walker, a 47-year-old southwest Fort Worth resident, has served as a middle- and high-school principal and now directs the school district’s Family Action Center. It provides health, employment and assorted other services to students and families. He has a strong sense of persistent problems that plague communities, such as food insecurity, and a record of tackling them.
As a lawmaker, Walker wants to holistically tackle problems for underserved communities beyond typical partisan issues. He has a sense of how issues such as property taxes cut across party lines.
William Thorburn, an Arlington ISD high school teacher who lives in Benbrook, is emphasizing his business background as an accountant, along with abortion rights and the need to reach disaffected Republicans in the district. Thorburn, 56, also mentioned gun reform in our interview with the candidates.
Diane Symons, a 52-year-old Benbrook photographer, wants to focus on educational needs and extending economic equality, particularly to women and the disabled.
Early voting starts Feb. 20 and runs through March 1. Election Day is March 5. If no candidate wins an outright majority, the top two will advance to a May runoff. The winner will face one of three Republicans in the general election, where the winner will replace Rep. Craig Goldman, who is running for Congress.
BEHIND THE STORY
MOREHey, who is behind these endorsements?
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.