Will Betsy Price run again? New year brings new drama in Texas, Fort Worth elections
The year 2021 packs an early punch.
In the next three weeks, America will inaugurate a president, Texas will get a new House speaker and Fort Worth and Arlington will be closer to choosing new mayors.
And COVID-19 will kill more of us than ever in the pandemic, based on the current hospital numbers.
With tension building toward Inauguration Day and Republicans bitterly divided over whether to join election protests Wednesday in Washington, partisan passion seems sure to spill into the Texas Legislature when it convenes Jan. 12 and then into city and local elections in April and May.
That election appears ready to include the first Fort Worth mayor’s race in 10 years.
Mayor Betsy Price, 71, has not said she won’t seek a record fifth term.
But she also hasn’t said she will. Her announcement is expected Tuesday, with campaign filing opening Jan. 12.
County Democratic Chair Deborah Peoples, 68, had said for months she will repeat her 2019 campaign, but hedged.
“I am meeting with my team and we will make a final decision,” she wrote Friday in a message.
If Price does not run, then lawyer Dee Kelly Jr., 60, is gathering financial support.
South side council member Ann Zadeh, 54, wrote in a message that “it is fair to say I am considering all the potential options” and the mayor’s race “is an option I am seriously considering.”
Southwest side council member Brian Byrd, 50, wrote in a message Saturday that Price is “the most qualified person to be Mayor” but “I’m in if she doesn’t run.”
The crowded May 1 election also will include a majority of Fort Worth school board seats and Tarrant Regional Water District seats.
So far, only south side trustee Ashley Paz is leaving the school board.
The deadline is Feb. 12 to file for those May city, school and local elections.
In Arlington, residents know they will lose Mayor Jeff Williams, a civil engineer booted due to a new local law limiting how long anyone can serve.
Councilman Marvin Sutton and lawyer Jim Ross are the most prominent of several candidates announcing an early intent to run.
Pastor and jazz musician Dewayne Washington has a website. Kelly Burke, an actor and personal speaker, is raising money via a GoFundMe page.
The spring elections will play out against the backdrop of a Texas Legislature in session.
Texas will have a new House speaker Jan. 12. Based on pledges, it will be state Rep. Dade Phelan, a Beaumont Republican who was once a district director here for former U.S. Rep. Dick Armey of Denton County.
Phelan faces a daunting challenge: He’s a rookie House speaker up against six-year Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick. Plus, Phelan has to manage COVID-19 safety in a 150-member chamber, with many not likely to stay 6 feet apart.
Besides writing a budget, the Legislature’s biggest job won’t come until summer, when lawmakers redraw state and federal districts before the 2022 election.
They’ll debate where to add a new Dallas-Fort Worth congressional district and whether it will be predominantly Hispanic.
From the first day, Republicans in Austin will be judged by some voters on their loyalty to President Donald Trump, or lack of.
Texas will have two holidays before Inauguration Day.
On Jan. 18, Texas wears the dignity of Martin Luther King Jr. Day.
Then, on Jan. 19, Texas wears the disgrace of Confederate Heroes Day.
Yes, we still have a state holiday for Gen. Robert E. Lee.
Yes, it’s 2021.
This story was originally published January 2, 2021 at 5:45 AM.
