Parker County GOP candidates pitch their platforms at Willow Park BC forum

Feb. 2—WILLOW PARK — Local candidates in the March 5 GOP primary made their pitches Thursday night at a Parker County forum in a local church.

"We have to balance the budget in Washington, D.C.," Texas Rep. Craig Goldman said as he made a case for elevation to retiring U.S. Rep. Kay Granger's soon-to-be vacant seat. "I would say they spend money in Washington, D.C., like a drunken sailor, but that's an insult to drunken sailors."

Anne Henley, one of Goldman's three competitors for the congressional district representing much of Tarrant and northern Parker County, said her faith in God brought her to the race.

"He is real, and he is watching our nation," she told some 175 party faithful at Willow Park Baptist Church. "But, we've got to get back to him and get our children back to him. Schools are a big problem, and teachers — a teacher can break a child."

Clint Dorris, also seeking to fill Granger's seat, joined many of the hopefuls in a focus on immigration and the U.S.-Mexico border.

"Let's call the border problem what it really is," he said. "It's modern slavery. Seventy percent of the unaccompanied minors are working like slave labor."

Shellie Gardner touted her electrical engineering background — and Christianity — as an element that will benefit Congress in Granger's former seat.

"When something's broken, what do you do?" she asked. "You send an engineer. ... Have you seen what's going on at the border? Children are dying (from Fentanyl). Children are dying, and I'm sick and tired of it."

The fourth Congressional District 12 candidate, John O'Shea, bemoaned Chinese influence on this country.

"We had peace and prosperity across this country before China unleashed a pandemic on our country," he said.

Incumbent U.S. Rep. Roger Williams is in session in Washington but sent a letter to Parker County highlighting his support for former President Donald Trump.

"I"m looking forward to getting back to work again with him real soon," the letter said, as read by surrogate McCann Turner. "We must stand together, fight like hell."

Williams hopes to return for another two years to represent 13 counties including Palo Pinto and southern Parker County.

But he'll have to get past a challenge from Matthew Lucci of Arlington, who applauded border security bills Williams has initiated but said the incumbent did nothing until his seat was contested.

"In the last 12 years, he's passed one bill into law," Lucci said of Williams, citing the renaming of a post office. "That's not working for folks like you and I."

Through a surrogate, Jace Yarbrough sent word of endorsements from the conservative Texas Eagle Forum and similar conservative outfits supporting his bid for the state senate.

"Jace Yarbrough has been endorsed by Grass Roots America, Texas Right to Life," he said, citing the Abilene candidate's support for a strong infrastructure and for law enforcement.

Brent Hagenbuch helped the audience pronounce his name — the last syllable sounds like, boo.

"I'll tell you why I'm running," he said. "And it's because I love the Lord, I love this country, I love my family and I love this community."

Aledo's Mike Olcott, pitching a second time to represent Parker, Palo Pinto and Stephens counties in Austin, said he has refused support from PACs.

"Water is one of my top issues," Olcott said. "We've got to come up with a common sense, practical solution."

Olcott later added the border is his "No. 1 issue." He is challenging incumbent Texas Rep. Glenn Rogers for the Texas House seat.

Rogers raised what he called the "elephant in the room" — Gov. Greg Abbott's flip-flop from endorsing Rogers in past cycles to now backing Olcott. Rogers and rural Republican House members disappointed Abbott's school voucher plan in the last session.

"I have a question for Mike Olcott," Rogers said. "How many things do you have to disagree with the governor on before you spend $30,000 in the last (2022) campaign? He spent $30,000 opposing Abbott. I sure haven't spent a single dime against the governor. ... I will continue to fight for the issues that are the most important to you in Parker County."

Speaking for State Board of Education incumbent Pat Hardy, who is at an SBOE session in Austin this week, Amy Hall reminded the audience of Hardy's 30 years in education.

"Most of them in the classroom," Hall said of Hardy, who retired from Weatherford in 2017 but continued to tutor. "We have to get this right for our children. (Diversity, equity and inclusion curriculum) has no place in our schools."

Hardy's opponent, Brandon Hall of Weatherford, decried "indoctrination coming into our public schools." He also said a non-teacher like him would bring "new perspective."

Precinct 4 incumbent Constable Scott Jones got the only hearty laugh of the evening, taking the podium wearing his uniform and side arm.

"I don't have any notes on me," he said. "I usually just shoot from the hip."

Jones faces Jerry Stockon in the primary.

"I am committed to do everything to make our neighborhoods safe," Stockon told the group.

Constable candidates in Precinct 3, roughly southern Parker County, touted their law enforcement experience: Cruz Rivas III with 27 years and incumbent Glen Praytor with 23.

"I will still work patrol and enforce (traffic) violations," Ruiz said, adding 18 of his 27-year career have been in Parker County.

Incumbent Praytor, noting a constable's chief job is serving papers for the court, said he has always been ready to assist other officers as backup when he hears calls on the radio.

"I've always worked within my budget," Praytor added. "In fact, my budget this year is — it doesn't sound like much — $1,200 less than it was last year."

And incumbent Precinct 1 Constable Ray Wright, who faces Jason Ingram in Precinct 1, touted his three decades with the Parker County Sheriff's Office including serving in a fugitive task force with local and U.S. Marshal's officers.

"I was honored to be the commander of those men," he said. "We arrested a lot of people in almost nine years."