Fort Worth state lawmaker launches bid for U.S. Rep. Kay Granger’s congressional seat

State Rep. Craig Goldman, a Fort Worth Republican, will run for the congressional seat U.S. Rep. Kay Granger has held for decades.

Granger announced Wednesday she wasn’t seeking reelection, opening the seat for what could be a competitive race in the November 2024 election. It was speculated Goldman would run for the office, and on Friday he confirmed the rumors, announcing his bid.

“I’m incredibly honored and humbled by the number of people who have urged me to run,” Goldman said in a statement. “My record proves I will be a conservative fighter who will prioritize border security and the American taxpayer, and I am excited to announce I am all in to serve the people of Tarrant and Parker counties as their next Congressman.”

Goldman chairs the House Republican Caucus in the Texas Legislature. He was first elected to House District 97 in 2012, and serves on the House redistricting committee and licensing and administrative procedures committee. He chairs the energy resources committee.

Before coming to the House, he worked with his father running a gourmet food and wine store in Fort Worth and worked on election campaigns, according to his biography on his legislative website. He is also a partner in several real estate investment companies, his website says.

His bid opens his House seat for the 2024 election.

Congressional District 12 includes much of western Tarrant County and Parker County, including Goldman’s state House District 97. In a news release announcing his bid, Goldman highlighted his work in the Texas Legislature, inducing his work on “Molly Jane’s Law” that aims to help law enforcement track sexual assault cases.

John O’Shea, a Republican, announced in January he was running for the seat. He is a construction company owner and real estate developer, according to a biography on his website.

Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton’s impeachment could become a debate topic in the race, as O’Shea has the endorsement of the attorney general. Paxton was impeached in the House but the charges weren’t sustained by senators in a September trial.

Goldman was among the 121 House lawmakers — including the majority of Republicans — who voted to send the articles of impeachment against Paxton to the Senate. Paxton has cast the proceedings as politically motivated and soon after his trial announced his support of several state House candidates challenging incumbents who voted to impeach him.

Experts predict the congressional election could be competitive and draw a long list of contenders.

“It is imperative we elect a strong conservative committed to fighting the Washington Swamp to fill her seat,” said Bo French, Tarrant County’s newly-elected Republican Party chair in a Wednesday statement. “Our voters deserve no less.”

Primaries are March 5 and Election Day is Nov. 5.

Democrats see opportunity for the North Texas seat. Granger not seeking reelection presents the opportunity for a “fresh start,” said Tarrant County Democratic Party Chair Chairwoman Crystal Gayden in a Wednesday statement. A Democratic candidate hasn’t announced a bid.

“The citizens of Congressional District 12 deserves inclusive representation that reflects their needs, and we are dedicated to encouraging Democratic Candidates to file for candidacy so they can do just that,” Gayden said.

Candidate filing runs from Nov. 11 through Dec. 11.