For the first time in 12 years, Fort Worth is electing a new mayor. From major policy to council interaction, how will the voters’ decisions impact Fort Worth’s future?

City charts next decade with upcoming election
Fort Worth, the 13th most populous city in the nation, is getting a new mayor for the first time in 10 years. The mayor will decide if the city’s growth benefits all or deepens the pockets of poverty.
Related

After more than a decade, Panther Island remains at center of Fort Worth politics
Federal funding didn’t flow to the flood control project during Mayor Betsy Price’s tenure, but she says she whipped the city into physical and financial shape.

Fight for Texas Senate District 10 moves from courts to campaign trail
State Sen. Beverly Powell, D-Burleson, was betting a lawsuit over Texas Senate District 10’s new lines would give her a fighting chance to win a second term. But the latest…

Democrat incumbent to face Republican state legislator, Arlington lawyer in Texas Senate District 10 race
Texas Senate District 10 is one of many closely watched races this upcoming primary election after lawmakers expanded its boundaries to include several rural counties. District 10 used to include…
The leading Mayoral Contenders

Ann Zadeh touts experience in bid to be next Fort Worth mayor
Although Zadeh is prepared to be mayor, at least on paper, the Council member must break out of a crowded field of 10 candidates who…

Mattie Parker bets on Fort Worth wanting new generation of leadership as she runs for mayor
Parker is running a campaign that she says recognizes the need to be more inclusive and bring more diverse voices into decision-making to bridge the…

Mayoral hopeful Brian Byrd looks to the past to lead Fort Worth forward
The councilman said he’s honored Fort Worth’s history and managed its economic aspirations. Now, he wants to do that as mayor.

Deborah Peoples, priming diversity support, eyes Fort Worth’s mayor seat
Tarrant County Democratic Chair is mounting a potentially history-making campaign following a close call just two years ago.
Other mayoral candidates

Mayoral candidate Daniel Caldwell: My background emphasizes improving quality of life
Mayoral candidate Daniel Caldwell says the top two priorities facing Fort Worth are stewardship of the city resources, namely managing the city budget, and responding to concerns, requests for assistance, and suggestions of constituents.

Mayoral candidate Steve Penate: We need Christian, conservative values back in public office
Our conservative values being lost is the No. 1 issue facing the city of Fort Worth, said Steve Penate, candidate for mayor.
Election issues

KERA, Fort Worth Report join forces to offer mayoral debate
The contenders will face off at noon May 18. Both nonprofit, nonpartisan news organizations will stream the debate live at KERANews.org and FortWorthReport.org and on their Facebook pages.

Managing 2019 bond, tax rate top priorities for Tarrant County College board of trustee candidates
Four seats on the Tarrant County College board of trustees are on the May 1 ballot.

Tarrant County judge says election secure despite state audit
In the latest installment of our occasional conversations with Fort Worth leaders, Tarrant County Judge Glen Whitley answered questions after the Secretary of State’s recent announcement that it had…

Postcard shows how public data can be used to target voters
Texas makes the names, dates of birth and addresses of registered voters public as do many other states. One political scientist explains that is strategic.

Mayoral runoff’s partisanship, canvassing lead to record-high turnout
Fort Worth’s municipal elections are nonpartisan officially, but experts say it was partisanship and the campaigns’ efforts to reach people in person that boosted the mayoral race’s visibility and…

New Fort Worth City Council gives citizen redistricting another chance
Six new City Council members have breathed life into the commission that has long been a goal of advocates of equitable representation in Fort Worth.

Trial of former police officer will test new mayor during her first days
Mattie Parker succeeded her one-time boss Betsy Price on Saturday to become mayor of the 12th-largest city in the country.

Mayoral candidates find common ground with marijuana, Medicaid, permitless carry
A recent debate offered insight into how the candidates would deal with a state Legislature increasingly hostile to big cities.

What do Latinos want from Fort Worth’s next mayor, leaders? ‘They don’t necessarily have to look like us, but be an ally.’
Only one Latino sits on City Council despite a growing Latino population in Fort Worth. They’re pushing for more representation.

Where lines are drawn will determine Fort Worth political power for next decade
In addition to a years-long debate about how to draw City Council lines in Fort Worth, there’s also an ongoing debate about where to draw them. People of color…

District 8 candidates spar over how fast 76104 can be improved
Councilwoman Kelly Allen Gray is making the case for another term in office while her challenger, Chris Nettles, is arguing for a change in leadership.

High-profile trial concerns Fort Worth mayoral candidates
No matter the outcome of the run-off election next month, Fort Worth mayoral candidates Mattie Parker and Deborah Peoples committed themselves to help the community navigate through the high-profile…

How will the face of Fort Worth’s City Council change? 4 seats remain up for grabs
Residents in large swaths of Fort Worth do not yet know who will represent them on City Council, so the Report tried to find out as much as possible…

Tarrant County announces early voting times, locations
Fort Worth and several surrounding cities and school districts have run offs June 5. Here’s when and where you can vote early.

Few differences between Republicans in special U.S. House election
Jake Ellzey and Susan Wright are touting their experience providing constituent services.

How Tarrant County municipal elections work
Setting up municipal elections is a more complicated process than county-run elections, according to a local election official.

With summertime looming, campaigning is hard for mayoral candidates
Mayoral Candidates Mattie Parker and Deborah Peoples likely will barrage Fort Worth residents with reminders to vote June 5.

How much do PACs influence local elections? The answer is sometimes elusive
A recent mailer from Fort Worth firefighters supported Mattie Parker for mayor, but it wasn’t required to be in her most recent campaign finance report.
City Council

New Fort Worth City Council faces a difficult balancing act
There will be at least four new faces on council as it must steer the city toward a constructive recovery following the economic and health turmoil of the 2020 pandemic.
fort worth independent school district

9 candidates vying for 4 Fort Worth ISD trustee seats, 1 unopposed
Five Fort Worth ISD school board seats are on the ballot this year. Voters could decide to send up to four new trustees.