The sole Congressional runoff in North Texas pertains to filling the seat vacated by longtime congresswoman Kay Granger, R-Fort Worth. Granger, renowned for her tenure as appropriations chair in the U.S. House of Representatives, is retiring, leaving significant shoes to fill.
The Twelfth Congressional District encompasses a vast area, spanning most of Parker County and the western half of Tarrant County, including Fort Worth.
In the March primary, Texas State Rep. Craig Goldman, R-Fort Worth, emerged as the front-runner with 44% of the vote. However, since he didn’t secure the majority, a runoff election is scheduled for May 28, pitting Goldman against the second-place finisher, John O’Shea.
Goldman holds a considerable financial advantage, having amassed nearly $1.9 million in campaign contributions. He enjoys endorsements from prominent figures such as the Texas Home School Coalition, Gov. Greg Abbott, Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, former U.S. Secretary of Energy and Gov. Rick Perry, and the outgoing U.S. Rep. Kay Granger.
O’Shea, a businessman, has garnered contributions totaling a little over $300,000 and has secured support from Attorney General Ken Paxton, Lt. General Michael Flynn, former Trump strategist Roger Stone, and the True Texas Project.
Both candidates prioritize allocating more resources to the Texas-Mexico border, particularly in response to a surge in illegal crossings in recent years.
However, a notable divergence between the candidates is their stance on the Russia-Ukraine War. Goldman expressed support for bipartisan foreign aid to Ukraine, viewing it as crucial in deterring a larger confrontation akin to historical precedents. In contrast, O’Shea opposes such aid, believing Russia has legitimate claims over the territory it aims to seize.
The Twelfth Congressional District, home to major defense contractors like Lockheed Martin and Raytheon, plays a significant role in the debate, as a substantial portion of the foreign aid is directed towards American defense contractors involved in producing weapons for Ukraine.
Regarding endorsements, Goldman’s support for Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton diverges from O’Shea’s relationship with Paxton, whom he considers a longtime friend and supporter.
As the runoff approaches, both candidates are actively engaging with voters and emphasizing their respective messages, seeking to sway the electorate in their favor.
