Star-Telegram endorsement: GOP primary in Jasmine Crockett’s old House district
Republicans are confident that their move to redraw congressional districts in the middle of the decade will net them up to five U.S. House seats. The 30th District, covering southern Dallas County and southeastern Tarrant, is not likely to be one of them.
Nonetheless, the Republican primary has drawn interesting, dynamic candidates. Each has something to offer, but we recommend GOP voters go with Dallas defense lawyer Sholdon Daniels.
The 39-year-old began his campaign hoping to draw attention as a potential rival to Rep. Jasmine Crockett. Now that she’s running for Senate, the race is wide open on both sides. Daniels articulates conservative values and Republican ideas while striking notes of independence. On several issues, he expressed a desire to perform traditional congressional oversight of the federal government, a contrast with opponents who could not find even a quibble with President Donald Trump’s administration.
In our interview with the candidates, Daniels, for instance, expressed support for vigorous immigration enforcement but also a willingness to have an investigation of overreach by federal agents. The Army veteran indicated a need to ensure the F-35 program is more efficient without suggesting he would oppose an important source of jobs and economic activity in Tarrant County.
Everett Jackson, a 51-year-old apparel customization shop owner from DeSoto, touted his experience as a community leader and offered a hard line on illegal immigration. He touted interesting proposals for the Tarrant County portion of the district, including more economic opportunity zones and efforts to combat crime. But he indicated no willingness to rein in the president on tariffs or much of anything else and offered an unrealistic picture of the federal budget deficit.
Nils Walker, 43, is a Grand Prairie IT project coordinator. On immigration, he had a refreshing take about the need to smooth processes for legal immigrants without compromising on deporting those here illegally. But he, too, described a wildly inaccurate assessment of federal finances.
The fourth candidate, Gregorio Heise, is a small business owner and Navy veteran. He did not attend our interview.
The Tarrant County portion of the district includes nearly half of Arlington and smaller portions of Grand Prairie and Mansfield. Early voting begins Feb. 17 and is available through Feb. 27. Election Day is March 3.
If no candidate wins a majority in the first round, the top two vote-getters will compete in a runoff May 26. The winner will face one of three Democratic candidates in the fall. The elected term runs for two years.
ABOUT OUR CAMPAIGN ENDORSEMENTS
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; 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 February 10, 2026 at 11:02 AM.