Student sets sights on top post in Fort Worth government
Sandoval presses the flesh to gain votes in May 3 election
by Connie Yu, Reporter

    When Joseph Sandoval, a candidate for mayor of Fort Worth, saw Mike Moncrief outside a function one night, he greeted his number one opponent with a sturdy handshake, a calm smile and some courteous chatting about the election progress.
    But unlike Moncrief, Sandoval was not invited to the night's event. Instead, he waited outside and got Moncrief's car for him afterwards.
    "I expected them [the Moncriefs] to be mean, but he tipped me a lot of money to get his car, well, actually, his wife's car," he said.
     In many ways, Sandoval posts a different image from his opponents. Despite being the youngest, the 21-year-old TCC student works as a part-time valet to make ends meet-unlike most of his rivals who have well-paid jobs, personal businesses and sufficient campaign funding.
     He has no experience, nor the understanding of how the city operates-which also seems odd amongst the rest.
     Candidate Moncrief was a Texas senator; Cathy Hirt was a Fort Worth City Councilwoman; Elliot Goldman was an aide to Republican Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison, and Marilyn Hodge has 15 years experience on the school board.
     The only political experience Sandoval has is taking a government class at TCC.
     Far from discouraged, however, Sandoval said he offers one thing that the other candidates lack-compassion.
     "I think I am a lot more passionate about caring what people say one on one," he said.
     "These people get up and talk in front of large crowds; I just go up one on one," the young candidate said. "They may have their little rallies, but I am a lot more passionate, I think I am a lot more dedicated at this."
     Election day for the City of Fort Worth will be Saturday, May 3, and early voting will continue until April 29. Aside from the mayor seat, all eight council seats are also up for election.
     Sandoval's agenda entails accelerating tourism in Fort Worth, enhancing local businesses and improving the city's living standards.
     Most importantly, Sandoval said, he joined the race to give the younger generation a voice in their local government and to promote their becoming actively involved in shaping the future.
     "One main thing I am running on is the youth," he said. "They are the way of the future."
     "When all these politicians get older, who is going to be in charge? Who is going to be taking care of them? It's going to be us. Our voice should be better represented," he said.
     A descendent of a strict military family and an Air Force man himself for a brief time, Sandoval said he was brought up with honor, grace and integrity.
     He said by majoring in theology and business, he wants to make a difference in the world and help to fulfill the needs of all people.
     "I want to be a teacher, a priest or a politician," he said with a grin.
     Nevertheless, compassion and good intention alone achieve little in the reality of politics, Brent Morton, the campaign manager for Moncrief, said.
     Once a candidate himself, Morton entered the race as the second youngest candidate, but dropped out soon after Moncrief announced his candidacy in the race.
     "Mike called me personally to ask me to be on his team," he said, "and I agreed that it was a good deal."
     Starting as a student body president in college, the 25-year-old graduate student in urban and public affairs has worked in organizational fund raising and campaigning.
     Morton has also assisted in a number of administrative departments in the City of Fort Worth.
     A well-funded campaign and name recognition in the field are crucial in the realm of politics, Morton said.
     Morton cited his experience in campaigning for the March of Dimes, a national organization working to prevent birth defects and infant mortality.
     "I wouldn't have dreamed of doing it without that," he said. "A well-funded grassroot organization is a lot different than a bare-bone's grassroot organization."
     Morton also pointed out that even Moncrief, a seasoned political veteran and a prominent oilman in Texas, has come under scrutiny by his opponent Cathy Hirt for lacking hands-on experience in the City of Fort Worth.
     "Unfortunately, it's an up-hill battle," he said. "Compassion alone just doesn't cut it anymore."
     Tammy Sandoval, Joseph Sandoval's mother, agreed with Morton.
     "As someone who's 45, I look at somebody who is experienced," she said. "At the same time, (Joseph) doesn't have my cynicism. At 21, he's passionate, and he believes that he can make a difference."
     But Joseph Sandoval remains hopeful. He said he believes that a desire to learn can make up for any lack of experience, and building a personal relationship with his people can substitute for the absence of prominence.
     Without much money, Sandoval's campaign is dominated by the most fundamental grassroot strategy-walking door to door and talking to anyone who will listen.
     "To get my name out there," he said, "I have to go and meet as many people as I can until my hands fall off from shaking all those hands."
     Tammy Sandoval said though she believes in her son, she knows that he has a long way to go to build his political tokens.
     "Overall, I think it's a great experience, and he's meeting all these people," she said. "Who knows, maybe 20 years down the road, it may be a different story."
     In the meantime, Joseph Sandoval continues to talk to people on college campuses and interest groups around the city. He also campaigns to every patron he valets for.
     "It's all about name recognition," he said.