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Fort Worth Mayor Mattie Parker, left, and Craig Goldman.
Craig Goldman’s bid to succeed retiring U.S. Rep. Kay Granger appears to be gaining momentum out of the chute.
The Republican state representative from Fort Worth said on Monday that his campaign had raised more than $500,000 in the slightly more than two weeks since announcing that he would run for the job of representing Texas’ District 12 in the U.S. House. Moreover, Goldman has picked up endorsements from Republican state Sens. Kelly Hancock, Phil King, and Drew Springer, all of whom represent districts in District 12.
“Since our announcement I’ve been overwhelmed with the number of people who have reached out to support our campaign, and with several events scheduled in the coming weeks, we are just getting started,” Goldman said in a statement.
Reaching that mark so quickly, he said, “makes clear that people are responding to our conservative record and our agenda of border security, fighting for taxpayers, and restoring fiscal sanity,” according to the campaign.
Granger, 80, announced at the first of this month that she would retire rather than seek a 15th term.
Her career has been groundbreaking. She was the first female mayor of Fort Worth and Texas’ first Republican congresswoman. Granger, chairwoman of the powerful House Appropriations Committee, said she would serve out her term, which expires in January 2025.
She said during that time she would work with new Speaker Mike Johnson (R-Louisiana) “to advance our conservative agenda.”
“It’s time for the next generation to step up and take the mantle and be a strong and fierce representative for the people,” Granger said in a statement announcing her retirement.
The district comprises much of Fort Worth and Parker County. It leans heavily Republican. A legitimate bid for a Democrat would seem out of reach. Granger, who in recent years has successfully fended off primary challengers from her right, easily won reelection in 2022.
Goldman has secured the endorsement of another key broker, Fort Worth Mayor Mattie Parker, once thought to be a potential candidate who took a hard pass.
“I think he'll be an excellent member of Congress. He's a close friend of mine,” Parker said of Goldman. “He's incredibly pragmatic. He's very strategic, and we need additional leadership and longevity. Someone like we've had with Kay who knows Fort Worth and who wants to serve this community, not just be a member of Congress.”
To date, only one other candidate has filed for the seat. The deadline to file for a place on the March ballot is Dec. 11.
John O’Shea, an owner of a construction company, had already announced his intention to challenge Granger before she made her announcement.
O’Shea has not disclosed any fundraising updates.
Goldman, 55, first won election to the Texas House in 2012, serving District 97, which covers southwest Tarrant County, the same district represented for years by longtime incumbent Anna Mowery. In the 2023 Legislative Session, Goldman was elected chair of the Republican caucus, serving as top deputy to House Speaker Dade Phelan.
"For years Craig and I have teamed up to fight for this region’s interests and values," Hancock said. "With his deep Fort Worth community roots and conservative record, I know he will work to keep Tarrant County as a Republican stronghold."