Correction, 5:43 p.m., Sept. 28, 2020: An earlier version of this recommendation inaccurately described Jared Patterson as an attorney. He is director of energy for a power services firm.
Tone matters in our politics. It is important not only what someone stands for but how willing they are to work with others in ensuring that our democracy is representative of all people when Election Day is over.
Jared Patterson, the incumbent Republican representing state House District 106 in the northern suburbs, is among that set of Texas conservatives who so often gets the tone wrong that he leaves behind even those who might support him.
Patterson has made some strides in this area, and we hope he continues to improve.
We narrowly support him over his challenger, newcomer Democrat Jennifer Skidonenko, because of his experience governing this district with an eye toward responsible limited governance.
We appreciate Patterson’s support for school finance reform, his focus on training first responders to spot human trafficking and his efforts to continue to bring transparency to the way toll roads operate in Texas.
He’s also focused on bread-and-butter transportation funding for his fast-growing district.
Our problem with Patterson, a 37-year-old director at an energy company, is what seems like an inability to resist the grating us-versus-them “conservatism” that has him too often tossing red meat to the social media crowd in ways that turn off many constituents.
For example, in May, he touted a bill to prevent the government from tracking people through their phones, a non-issue aimed at those unhappy few who believe big government wants to follow them in the age of COVID-19. How much better to have spent his time encouraging constituents to wear masks, socially distance and get this disease behind us.
This style of conservatism had a good run in this region until 2018, when voters started turning out culture warriors. Much of the local GOP has awakened to that, and Patterson has moderated somewhat.
Skidonenko, 42, is someone staking out moderate ground. She is the mother of a son who enlisted in the Army, and the military is an important part of her family history. We like her focus on ensuring veterans get better treatment, especially those who return from war traumatized.
She lacks Patterson’s experience of public service and would be unlikely to hold the line on fiscal matters as he will. But he could learn a great deal from her about public presentation and offering a message that is welcoming to all constituents.
Patterson gets our recommendation to voters, with the added recommendation that he continue to work to improve the tone of his politics.
