by Perry Pillow, FWAA Director of Government Affairs
On December 30th, my wife and I will celebrate 35 years of marriage. Yes – she is a saint. Yes – I am blessed. More importantly, I have learned a few things over the past three and a half decades. For example, when I ask my wife, “How’s it going?” and she responds, “Fine, everything is fine”, everything is not fine! Similarly, suppose you ask your FWAA colleagues about the government’s impact on their company, assets, or employees. In that case, they likely will respond either “fine, everything is fine” or “terrible, everything is terrible.”
Last month, we continued our series on advocacy myths by debunking the “it is hard” advocacy myth. This month, we attack the “everything” myth. Advocacy news flash: everything government-related is neither fine nor terrible! For the complacent, examine the detriment squatters and the lingering CARES Act 30-day notice to vacate are having your and your industry peers’ portfolios. For the alarmists, Fort Worth remains the freest city, in the freest state, in the freest nation in the history of the world. Fort Worth is pro-business, pro-economic development, and pro-housing.
Our industry constantly faces opposition from governments; NIMBYism; overzealous tenant advocates; rogue judges; and, most damaging, disinterested multifamily owners and operators. Effective local, state, and national advocacy depends on FWAA members proactively engaging with governments. FWAA advocacy requires steady discernment. Our turbulent political environment demands thoughtful responses. Apathy and anxiety diminish our impact. Everything, always, is a myth; but overcoming these advocacy misconceptions requires balance and vigilance; it is a fine line.
2024 ELECTION RESULTS—The 2024 elections were exhausting and eventful. President Trump soundly defeated Vice President Harris. Republicans regained the majority in the U.S. Senate (53 R – 47 D) and the House of Representatives (220 R – 215 D). Better yet, all FWAA-area candidates supported by FWAA, NAA, and TAA won their respective races!
Winners include FWAA members Craig Goldman (R) in Congressional District 12 and Dawn Waye (R) for Denton County Tax Assessor. Waye is currently AAGD President.
Congratulations, Craig & Dawn!
A couple of key takeaways from this year’s election:
• More than 798,000 votes were cast in Tarrant County
• 660,000 early votes
• Trump won Tarrant County with 52%
• Ted Cruz (R – 53%) soundly defeated Collin Allred (D) for U.S. Senate
• Surprisingly, Allred won Tarrant County
• Mansfield voters approved alcohol sales (65%)
Below is a list of FWAA, NAA, & TAA endorsed winners:
U.S. Senate:
Ted Cruz (R) – 53%
U.S. House of Representatives:
Jake Ellzey (R – TX6) – 66%
Craig Goldman (R – TX12) – 64%
Beth Van Dyne (R – TX24) – 60%
Roger Williams (R – TX25) – 99%
Brandon Gill (R – TX26) – 62%
Marc Veasey (D – TX33) – 69%
Texas Senate:
Phil King (R – SD 10) – 62%
Texas House of Representatives:
Helen Kerwin (R – HD 58) – 82%
Shelby Slawson (R – HD 59) – 81%
Ramon Romero (D – HD 90) – 100%
Salman Bhojani (D – HD 92) – 100%
Nicole Collier (D – HD 95) – 100%
David Cook (R – HD 96) – 57%
John McQueeny (R – HD 97) – 58%
Giovanni Capriglione (R – HD 98) – 66%
Charlie Geren (R -HD 99) – 63%
Chris Turner (D – HD 101) – 65%
FWAA, TAA, & NAA did not support candidates in the below FWAA service-area contests:
Texas House of Representatives:
Mike Olcott (R – HD 60) – 100%
David Lowe (R – HD 91) – 100%
Nate Schatzline (R – HD 93) – 61%
Tony Tinderholt (R – HD 94) – 56%
Tarrant County Offices:
Tax Assessor
Rick Barnes (R) – 55%
Sheriff
Bill Waybourn (R) – 54%
County Commissioner Precinct 1
Roderick Miles (D) – 57%
County Commissioner Precinct 3
Matt Krause (R) – 64%
Constables
Dale Clark (R – P1) – 100%
David Woodruff (R – P2) – 52%
Darrell Huffman (R – P3) – 100%
Jody Johnson (R – P4) – 100%
Pete Munoz (D – P4) – 100%
Jon Siegel (R – P6) – 100%
Sandra Lee (D – P7) – 53%
Michael Campbell (D – P8) – 100%
.
FWAA looks forward to working with all the newly elected officials in Austin, Tarrant County, and Washington, D.C.
CONTRIBUTE TO THE FWAA PAC – FWAA advocacy efforts depend on all our members doing their part to support candidates that align with FWAA’s financial interests. To donate, please visit this link: https://form.jotform.com/220464310148143
Perry Pillow is FWAA’s Director of Government Affairs. For more information, contact Perry at perry@livefw.org or call 817-701-6353.
