It’s time to vote! But first, look at these Star-Telegram election endorsements | Opinion
The debates are done, the last ads are airing, and Texans will soon have their voices heard: Election Day is Tuesday.
While the presidency has dominated attention, crucial state and local elections will help determine where our communities are headed. We picked some of the most vital and/or competitive ones and spent hours researching issues, interviewing candidates and debating the best choices for offices that affect your taxes, schools, roads, health care and more.
Our endorsements are meant to help guide you through a long and confusing ballot. Whether you agree or disagree, we hope you find them useful.
You can vote early at any Tarrant County polling location from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Tuesday. And when you do, be sure to look over the printout of your ballot before you scan it. That’s the last chance to catch any mistakes.
It’s a long ballot, and eyes and fingers sometimes miss their mark on touchscreens. Double-check your choices, then celebrate playing your part in democracy.
FEDERAL
U.S. Senate: Texas’ marquee race is Democrat Colin Allred’s challenge to Republican Sen. Ted Cruz. Allred offers voters a serious, bipartisan legislator who will work for solutions on immigration, energy and economic issues. Cruz has been a conservative warrior, but Texas could use a more moderate influence.
12th Congressional District: One of Texas’ most influential lawmakers, Rep. Kay Granger, is retiring. There’s no way to immediately replace her clout, fellow Republican Craig Goldman shows promise as the kind of candidate who can effectively navigate Congress on behalf of vital Fort Worth interests, as he has done in the Texas Legislature.
26th Congressional District: Democrat Ernest R. Lineberger III is running uphill in the contest to replace Rep. Michael Burgess. The Denton County-based 26th District is heavily Republican, and lamentably, Lineberger’s opponent, Brandon Gill, is the kind of conservative fire-breather currently in favor with GOP voters. But Lineberger, a retired Navy officer, would make a better, more serious legislator.
STATE
State Board of Education, District 11: Longtime teacher Rayna Glasser, a Democrat, would bring the necessary education experience and knowledge to the job. Her opponent, Brandon Hall, beat veteran board member Pat Hardy in the GOP primary, but the Weatherford pastor is campaigning on social issues, not the basics the board needs to focus on.
Senate District 30: Republican Brent Hagenbuch is the favorite in this district, which includes parts of Denton, Parker and Collin counties, along with more rural areas. He’ll make an influential senator attentive to the needs of the district.
House District 97: As Goldman presumably steps up to Congress, Republican John McQueeney is the better choice to take his spot in Austin representing this southwest Tarrant County district. McQueeney will bring business experience and common-sense conservatism to a chamber that needs both.
TARRANT COUNTY
Sheriff: Democrat Patrick Moses, a longtime federal police official, has the experience and ideas to reform the jail, the most urgent issue facing the county. Moses recognizes both the short- and long-term needs, including better staff recruitment and retention. Republican Bill E. Waybourn is popular in conservative circles but has, in two terms, proved he is not up to the task.
Tax assessor-collector: Republican Rick Barnes brings business and political experience to the job. He recognizes the need for improved processes and customer service while also focusing on larger policy issues, such as property appraisals.
County Commissioner, Precinct 1: Democrat Roderick Miles has worked for retiring Commissioner Roy Charles Brooks for years. With deep knowledge of county government and his constituents’ needs, he would step in and be immediately effective.
County Commissioner, Precinct 3: Republican Matt Krause, a former state representative, has the experience and connections to be a strong voice for northeast Tarrant County. He’s a staunch conservative but able to reach across the aisle and cooperate.
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; Bradford William Davis, columnist and editorial writer; Bud Kennedy, columnist; and Ryan J. Rusak, opinion editor.
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 21, 2024 at 5:27 AM.