Race for Arlington mayor is surprisingly spicy. Here’s our endorsement | Opinion
Arlington’s past and present are colluding in the increasingly spicy race for mayor.
But elections should be about the future, and incumbent Jim Ross is the best choice to continue Arlington’s prosperity and address the unusual challenges facing the city of more than 400,000 people. Voters should give him what would be a third and final term.
Ross, the City Council and City Manager Trey Yelverton have maintained Arlington’s destination status for spotlight events such as the recent F1 race and the coming FIFA World Cup. The city faces redevelopment challenges and, like all governments, must plan for economic uncertainty.
If the primary role of a mayor in a city-manager system is setting priorities and selling the city, Ross, a 66-year-old lawyer and restaurateur, fits the bill. Crime is down in recent years, downtown is vastly improved, and the city is striking partnerships in education and job creation.
His chief opponent, real-estate developer Steve Cavender, 77, has the business experience and civic connections that would benefit the office. The first-time candidate is campaigning chiefly on what he views as Ross’ shortcomings, including a recent increase in property-tax rates, and opposition to apartments.
He said in our interview with the candidates that the city should have made deeper budget cuts. But asked to identify examples, he said he hadn’t done a deep dive into city spending and suggested reducing the mowing schedule in certain parks. That’s not good enough.
Ross defended the hike, saying that it was caused partly by changes to property appraisals and that it prevented unacceptable cuts in city services. Other cities have managed to tighten belts under the same circumstances, though, and Arlington leaders should avoid increasing the tax burden even amid such uncertainty.
Ross accused Cavender of being a “puppet” for former Mayor Jeff Williams, the immediate predecessor whom Ross accused of meddling during his term. Cavender said Williams would be one voice he would listen to, and Williams denies that he’s pulling Cavender’s strings. But the city doesn’t need former mayors stirring the pot at City Hall.
There’s a whiff of partisan fighting here, too. Ross and Cavender both identify as independents, but Ross is more aligned with the city’s Democratic majority, while Williams and former Mayor Richard Greene, another Cavender supporter, are staunch Republicans. In today’s Arlington, Ross’s purplish politics serve the city better.
Also running is Hunter Crow, a 31-year-old law librarian who told us he wants the city to invest more in education, transportation and jobs. A fourth candidate, snow-cone stand owner Shaun Mallory, was not able to attend our interview.
Early voting runs April 20-28. Election Day is May 2. If no candidate wins an outright majority, the top two finishers will proceed to a runoff. The mayor is elected to a three-year term.
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.