Fort Worth, Texas is a city with a long-standing tradition of political and business influence. In recent years, the city has seen a surge in campaign finance reform, with many donors continuing to back current council members two years after they first attained their position in public office. Reports submitted to the Texas Ethics Commission (TEC) are available on their website, and local filers can be contacted for additional information. The city's most prominent business and political leaders are making their voices heard in the upcoming elections.
One such leader is Herring, who recently voted in the Republican primary but has a history of supporting liberal candidates for the Fort Worth City Council. Meanwhile, Parker has raised more than any other candidate for the Fort Worth City Council, though his total is nearly a third of what he collected two years ago during his first run for mayor. Conservative donors and high-profile political action committees (PACs) have donated hundreds of thousands of dollars to several Fort Worth City Council candidates who are challenging incumbents. This includes the Lone Star Project PAC, which has sent texts describing one candidate, Boggess, as “funded by MAGA donors” who want to destroy Fort Worth. District 4 has previously been supported by influential political groups such as the Fort Worth Fire Committee for Responsible Governance and the Public Safety Committee of the Fort Worth Police Officers Association. A number of well-known names in conservative campaigns have actively supported candidates for the Fort Worth City Council, mainly Woodard.
The Ryan Place neighborhood of District 9 has expressed concern about the Fort Worth PAC Excellence vs. Beck announcements at a candidate forum in mid-April. The PAC has been aggressively advertising Beck in District 9, which includes downtown and parts of south-central Fort Worth. In addition to his PAC, Woodard has also contributed money to several individual candidates. A paid email from Fort Worth Excellence PAC describes that Beck has a “radical personal agenda.” The lack of money invested in the race could be indicative of a wait-and-see approach on the part of Fort Worth's business interests. Campaign finance reform is an essential issue in Fort Worth, Texas.
With many influential business and political leaders making their voices heard through donations and PACs, it is clear that this issue will remain an important part of local politics for years to come. It is up to citizens to stay informed and make sure that their voices are heard when it comes to deciding who will represent them on the city council.
