Opinion

For the 7th Congressional District: Jason Westin or Lizzie Pannill Fletcher

Jason Westin, candidate for Congress Jason Westin, candidate for Congress Photo: Anthony Rathbun Photo: Anthony Rathbun Image 1 of / 12 Caption Close For the 7th Congressional District: Jason Westin or Lizzie Pannill Fletcher 1 / 12 Back to Gallery

So many people flocked to the Faith Lutheran Church one evening last month, you'd think they were previewing a new Star Wars movie.

The parking lots overflowed and traffic backed up into the adjacent neighborhood. Inside the gymnasium, every chair was occupied, standing-room only spectators lined the walls and people who couldn't find seats just plopped down on the floor and sat shoulder-to-shoulder in the aisles. Organizers of the event in Bellaire estimated it attracted more than 500 people including dozens who couldn't get into the doors. All of them came out on a weeknight to hear the Democratic candidates for Texas' 7th Congressional District.

If every neighborhood political debate attracted a crowd like this, our country would be a better place. Then again, if every congressional race attracted a field of candidates as inspiring and diverse as this campaign, Congress just might work again.

ENDORSEMENTS: See the other candidates supported by the Houston Chronicle editorial board

CAMPAIGN FUNDS: Democrats raise more than $2.8M in primary to face Culberson

STRAUS: Texans, make your voices heard in primaries

LOSING THE FAITH: Houston's Jewish community confronts the reality of political inaction post-Harvey

John Culberson should take notice. Energized Democrats believe they can beat the longtime Republican congressman who has spent 17 years representing this district, which circles from northwest Harris County to southwest Houston and encompasses wealthy enclaves like Bunker Hill Village and West University Place. This is the seat once occupied by George H.W. Bush, but its demographics have changed dramatically. Hillary Clinton carried this district in the last presidential election, turning it into a target for Democrats hoping to regain control of the U.S. House of Representatives.

Each one of the seven candidates running in this Democratic primary brings something impressive to the race. Jason Westin, 40, is a cancer researcher steeped in the details of health care policy. Lizzie Pannill Fletcher, 42, is a Phi Beta Kappa graduate who edited the William and Mary Law Review before becoming the first woman partner in a prominent local law firm. Alex Triantaphyllis, 33, is an eloquent young executive at a major non-profit who's attracted widespread support among the party faithful. Laura Moser, 40, is a lively progressive activist who launched a national anti-Trump action movement. Ivan Sanchez, 30, is a young and energetic former congressional staffer who hopes his candidacy will inspire Hispanic voters. Joshua Butler, 32, is an administrator at the UT Health Science Center who talks about party unity with striking grace and eloquence. James Cargas, 51, an assistant city attorney specializing in energy issues, has invested years of sweat equity by running for this position in three previous election years.

Narrowing this field of candidates is difficult, but some of these outstanding contenders also have problematic weaknesses.

RELATED: Houston congressional race in 'toss-up' Culberson district gets a Super Bowl ad

Triantaphyllis and Cargas both live outside the district. Cargas points out that his home was in the district before GOP lawmakers gerrymandered his street out of it. Triantaphyllis tries to dance around the subject and argue that it doesn't matter. But the issue has already come up during the primary, and during a hotly contested congressional race it's a vexing problem that could turn a close election.

Butler and Sanchez both have compelling personal stories and engaging personalities, but they're comparatively short on substance. Other candidates in this primary display stronger policy chops.

Moser has attracted a spirited base of supporters with her enthusiastic advocacy of progressive ideals, but even Democrats who like her question whether she's too liberal to win this historically Republican district. Meanwhile, Fletcher has drawn fire from organized labor because her law firm represented a janitorial company that won a judgment against a union.

RELATED: Record number of candidates running for Congress in Houston area

If Democrats are going to win this race, they'll need a strong candidate whose views will appeal to voters disillusioned with their tea party Republican congressman. It's a tough call, but we believe the best two candidates for the inevitable runoff in this seven-way race are Jason Westin and Lizzie Pannill Fletcher.

Westin's professional credentials alone are impressive enough; he says his peers elected him to lead the largest clinical trial team in the nation seeking new treatments for aggressive cancers. But don't think for a second this doctor is a one-trick-pony running on a health care platform. He's impressed crowds at community forums with his conspicuously thoughtful command of a wide variety of issues. Westin launched his candidacy with the help of a nationwide group that's trying to get more scientists to run for office. When he says he's bothered by "disrespect of facts and science," he speaks with a quiet passion that seems to be winning over a growing number of supporters.

GRIEDER: Could Texas turn blue in 2018? Stranger things have happened

Fletcher's background is also impressive. After starting her law career at Vinson & Elkins, she joined AZA, a 50 person firm specializing in high-stakes business litigation and she became its first woman partner. She has served on the board of Planned Parenthood and she was on the front lines defending abortion providers from protesters during the 1992 Republican Convention in Houston. Like Westin, she has a firm grasp of the issues in the race. Just as important, she understands the importance of appealing to independent voters in this swing district.

Both Westin and Fletcher are extremely accomplished professionals with a deep understanding of complex public policy matters. Both of them exude an intelligent and level-headed pragmatism that will appeal to the moderate voters of this district, whose support Democrats will need if they're serious about defeating Culberson.

Most important of all, both Westin and Fletcher would make fine members of Congress. Early voting runs from Tuesday, Feb. 20 through Friday, March 2. Election Day is March 6.