Time to vote in Tarrant primary runoffs. See our endorsements for Congress and more | Opinion

It’s easy for voters to miss that voting for party primary runoffs has arrived. After all, the first round was two and a half months ago. There’s no statewide race to drive attention (though that hasn’t led to fewer ads on TV and online). It’s graduation season, and Memorial Day weekend will kick off summer activities.

But there are nonetheless important races for voters to weigh in on, especially in Fort Worth. Longtime Congresswoman Kay Granger’s retirement has created openings in two of the city’s most prominent legislative districts. Republicans fighting over school choice and generally how far right to go have several telling Texas House battles. Fort Worth Democrats will effectively elect a new county commissioner at a time of deep concern over the condition of the jail and fractured county politics.

Runoffs determine party nominees. In most cases, they’ll decide who wins the office, as districts at every level are drawn to firmly favor one party over the other.

Here’s how it works: Early voting is available through Friday. Election Day is May 28. Any registered voter can vote in either the Republican or Democratic runoff, but you can’t cross over — that is, if you voted in either party’s first round, you can only vote in that party’s runoff.

Here are our recommendations in the key races.

CONGRESS

12th District: Granger’s decades of service to Fort Worth, from City Council to powerful committee chairwoman, are ending. The district, which includes Lockheed Martin, needs a strong advocate for local and national priorities alike and someone with a chance to ascend in leadership.

State Rep. Craig Goldman has demonstrated those traits in Austin, and we’re confident he’ll continue in Washington. John O’Shea, a former banker and investment firm owner who lives in Fort Worth, is running as a more staunch conservative than Goldman. But Goldman’s record is full of conservative priorities and victories.

Goldman has raised O’Shea’s spotty voting record to question his commitment to Republican causes; O’Shea disputes some county records and says he missed some elections while his wife was ailing.

TEXAS HOUSE

District 64: Rep. Lynn Stucky is the better option over challenger Andy Hopper in this Denton/Wise counties district. Stucky has been a leader on budget issues in the House, while Hopper is pushing a far-right agenda.

District 91: This race encapsulates the fight in the GOP over style. Rep. Stephanie Klick has the support of Gov. Greg Abbott, who touts her backing for school vouchers, and she’s been a conservative leader on health issues in the House. But challenger David Lowe Lowe and his backers are targeting her vote to impeach Attorney General Ken Paxton and her ties to House Speaker Dade Phelan.

Voters shouldn’t get distracted. Klick has been an important conservative leader in the Legislature and has earned another term.

District 97 (Republicans): The winner here will probably replace Goldman as the representative for this southwest Tarrant County district. We give the edge to businessman John McQueeney over Cheryl Bean, a construction business owner with defense industry experience. Both have solid conservative credentials and records of service, but McQueeney, who is endorsed by Abbott, has the mainstream Republican style that best matches the district.

District 97 (Democrats): Educator Carlos Walker’s work helping low-income families gives him an understanding of needs sometimes overlooked in the district and would inform his service. He faces photographer Diane Symons, who is a county presiding election judge.

COUNTY

Commissioners Court Precinct 1: Two candidates with local government experience face off in this Democratic runoff to replace longtime Commissioner Roy Charles Brooks. We give the edge to Roderick Miles, who has been Brooks’ top aide for years. His intimate knowledge of the precinct and county government means he’ll need no learning curve at an important time in Tarrant County.

Kathleen Hicks served eight years on the Fort Worth City Council, reaching mayor pro tempore, and comes from a politically engaged family. But her experience doesn’t quite measure up to Miles’.