Southwest Tarrant County getting a new Texas House rep. Here’s our endorsement | Opinion
In six terms representing southwest Tarrant County in the Texas House, Rep. Craig Goldman rose as a leader and is now moving on, almost certainly to Congress.
State House District 97 has a candidate ready to step in and continue mainstream conservative, business-friendly policies in Republican John McQueeney.
McQueeney won a hotly competitive GOP primary to earn the chance to follow Goldman. The 44-year-old Riverhills resident, who owns a small freight and transportation company, is knowledgeable about what it will take to keep Texas competitive and adding good jobs as it continues to deal with the challenges of sustained growth.
McQueeney has the backing of Gov. Greg Abbott and will support the governor’s push for private-school vouchers, but he understands that public schools also need additional funding, especially to hire and retain better teachers.
District 97 includes several fast-growing areas, and they’ll need continued help keeping up with infrastructure and transportation needs. McQueeney is well-prepared to advocate for that support.
Democrat Carlos Walker is a solid candidate as well. He’s a Fort Worth ISD administrator who directs an office that offers services for district families, so he’s knowledgeable about needs across the community. Walker, 48, who lives in Fort Worth near Crowley, expressed during an interview an interest in agriculture and farming issues. It’s not an obvious concern for this urban/suburban district, but his passion for healthier food for families is welcome anywhere.
Early voting begins Oct. 21 and is available through Nov. 1. Election Day is Nov. 5. Registered voters can cast a ballot at any county polling location. House members serve 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; 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 17, 2024 at 11:03 AM.