Fort Worth City Council elections - follow the money

by Steve Smith of West and Clear

The Star-Telegram published this update on campaign funding and the upcoming City Council election. Although I know I’m stating the obvious, I believe that money and organization rules in local races. That’s why incumbents do so well — they’ve got both. As result, I haven’t seen anything to change my mind about my original assessment of the race, a few things stand out:

* Danny Scarth still looks vulnerable based on nearly neck-and-neck funding with opponent Lupe Arriola.

* I still don’t understand why both Clyde Picht and Louis McBee are both running. Either one running individually and uniting every anti-Moncrief vote would be hard-pressed to unseat the Mayor. Running separately … what’s the point?

* Eric Fox appears to have the money and the organization to go all the way. If he goes on to win, I think it will radically change the make-up of the Council. Chuck Silcox always seemed more willing to go his own way, but I see Fox as more of a don’t-rock-the-boat kind of guy. Hope I’m wrong about this one, but I think Fort Worth is going to really, really miss Chuck’s independent streak on the Council.