Who Will Step Up for Texas’ 12th Congressional District?
As the retirement of U.S. Rep. Kay Granger, a Republican from Fort Worth, draws near, the political landscape in Texas’ 12th Congressional District is heating up. With filing for elections beginning on November 11 and ending on December 11, and the primary scheduled for March 5, the race to succeed Granger is rapidly taking shape. Granger’s announcement not to seek reelection has set the stage for what promises to be a highly competitive and closely-watched contest.
Texas’ 12th Congressional District is a deeply conservative stronghold, where former President Donald Trump won by a resounding 18 percentage points in 2020. The competition to fill this vacant seat is expected to attract significant attention and a considerable amount of campaign funding.
One of the prominent Republicans being considered as a contender for Granger’s seat is State Rep. Craig Goldman, representing Fort Worth. Goldman has taken steps indicating his interest in the race, including the purchase of campaign websites, as reported by The Texas Tribune. With $707,120 in campaign funds, he is well-positioned to make a run for the seat. Goldman stated, “As far as my political plans go, I’m honored and humbled by all who have reached out and will have a decision made very soon.”
Another potential candidate, State Rep. Nate Schatzline, from Fort Worth, has not confirmed or denied his intentions to run. He is currently focusing on the ongoing special session, keeping his options open. Schatzline anticipates that a multitude of Republicans will join the primary race in this safe Republican district.
James Riddlesperger, a political science professor at Texas Christian University, highlights the rarity of this open race for the 12th Congressional District. Only five individuals have represented the district since 1919, and the competition is expected to be fierce.
One Republican who has already declared his candidacy is John O’Shea, who has been running for Granger’s seat since April. O’Shea welcomes the likely entry of Goldman into the race, emphasizing that those who waited until this moment may be perceived as political opportunists. O’Shea’s strong connection with Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton could make this primary contest even more intriguing.
Chris Putnam, the former mayor pro tem of Colleyville, who previously challenged Granger in a Republican primary, is also considering another run. He understands the importance of financial backing in a congressional race and is keen on seeing which candidates garner support from major funders.
Fundraising is expected to be a significant challenge for any candidate entering the race, with estimates suggesting the primary could require at least $1 million. Consequently, candidates will need to quickly secure adequate resources to challenge contenders with name recognition and existing political influence.
Additionally, there’s interest in whether Granger’s seat will experience the same rightward shift that has been observed in local offices in Tarrant County in recent years. County Judge Tim O’Hare’s victory in the primaries, as a conservative candidate, over a more moderate Republican, serves as an example of this trend.
Tarrant County Commissioner Manny Ramirez, who recently took office, is considering a run and believes that the district needs new conservative leadership. If he decides to enter the race, his entry could shake up the competition, considering his representation of many of the same constituents in northwest Tarrant County as Granger.
As the field of potential candidates continues to grow, Tarrant County GOP Chairman Bo French underscores the importance of electing a strong conservative who is committed to challenging the Washington establishment. The race to fill Granger’s seat is poised to become a multi-million-dollar primary and runoff contest, with significant outside interests likely to play a role.
With Granger’s retirement creating an unprecedented opportunity for new faces in the 12th Congressional District of Texas, we can expect more candidates to emerge in the coming weeks. As this critical race develops, the eyes of the nation will undoubtedly be on North Texas, watching the competition for one of the Lone Star State’s most significant congressional seats.