Fort Worth Mayor Mattie Parker intends to run for third term in May 2025 election
Fort Mayor Mattie Parker intends to run for a third term in 2025.
Parker announced her intentions speaking to a gaggle of reporters shortly after giving her State of The City address at Dickies Arena on Thursday, Oct. 24.
For now, Parker said she will focus on governing, saying that she, like many Americans, are tired of all the divisive political campaigning.
“Because of the national rhetoric, you’re not rewarded for getting along,” Parker said. “I don’t govern that way, and our council members don’t govern that way.”
She gave the example of the recently passed city budget in which several council members collaborated to keep a flat tax rate while also increasing funding for public safety, roads and upping the city’s minimum wage.
“That doesn’t mean we always agree on everything,” Parker said referencing difficult conversations between council members both in public and behind closed doors.
“But we do that for the city of Fort Worth. We care about each others’ families, and kids and jobs, and futures, and that’s missing in Washington,” she said.
During her speech, Parker contrasted the contentious state of national politics with Fort Worth’s more collaborative governing culture.
While divisive rhetoric does have an impact on the city, it should also make residents grateful for the opportunities to work together to make the city better, she said.
“The true test of a great city is how it faces challenges head-on, and we are doing just that,” she said.
Parker’s speech focused on the city’s successes, while also pointing out ways to plan for the future.
She noted the city is working with the Texas Department of Transportation on an expansion of Interstate 30 between Parker County and Dallas County.
She also highlighted her recently formed Urban Rail Committee, which will look at the possibility of adding new transit options for the city.
Parker wrapped up her speech by talking about education. She recently joined a group of community leaders in calling for changes at the Fort Worth school district to improve student outcomes with regards to reading.
However, she also stressed that the type of schooling — whether it be public, private, charter, or homeschool — should take a back seat to making sure every student has access to quality education regardless of zip code.
Parker raised speculation about her intentions to run for re-election at an August 2024 meeting of the Women’s Policy Forum of Tarrant County. While participating in a panel with other female members of the city council, Parker raised her hand in response to a question about which members intended to run in 2025.
However, a spokesperson noted that at that time the mayor had yet to firmly make up her mind whether to run again.
Parker could still chose to forgoe a third term, but for now she said her intention is to run again.
Filing for the May 3, 2025 election starts Jan. 15 and runs through Feb. 14.
This story was originally published October 24, 2024 at 2:44 PM.
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