Star-Telegram endorsement: Democrats’ best hope in district long held by Granger | Opinion
Over Rep. Kay Granger’s decades in Congress, Democrats never had much chance to unseat her. And now, even with the 12th District seat open due to her retirement, they probably lack the candidates, money or voting power to break through.
Two young Democrats stepped forward to run for the seat, and we think Sebastian Gehrig is the best option for the Tarrant/Parker county district. The 26-year-old Air Force veteran offers a broader appeal to the district’s voters without abandoning key Democratic positions.
Gehrig, who owns a pet grooming and supply business and lives in northwest Fort Worth, served a stint at the Naval Air Station Joint Reserve Base Fort Worth. He understands the need for a robust military and the jobs it creates for Tarrant County. In our interview with the candidates, he projected moderate positions on immigration while touting the need for border security.
Trey Hunt, who lost to Granger in 2022, brings an impressive record of education and service to the campaign. Hunt, 29, of southwest Fort Worth, works in homeless outreach for MHMR of Tarrant County. He has a good grasp of the issues, but his desire to see big defense spending cuts and jobs converted to other fields, such as green energy technology, is unrealistic and out of step with the district.
Both candidates expressed frustration at a lack of help from state and national Democratic groups in their campaigns for a rare open seat. It’s understandable that with control of the House up for grabs, the party is focused on the most winnable seats. But the lack of infrastructure to build up campaigns is a recurring theme among Democrats we interview.
The primary winner will face one of five Republicans seeking that party’s nomination. Early voting starts Tuesday and ends March 1. Election Day is March 5. U.S. House members are elected to two-year terms.
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.
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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.