Tarrant County Judge candidates in Democratic primary March 1
Marvin Sutton
Occupation: Former Arlington councilman and retired air traffic controller
Age: 59
What’s the best way for voters to reach you? Cell: 817-602-0644
Website: electmarvinsutton.com
Public offices you’ve held or run for, with years: Arlington City Council District 3 2019-2021 Candidate for Arlington mayor 2021
Have you ever been arrested, charged with a crime or otherwise been part of a criminal proceeding? If yes, please explain: No
Have you been involved in a civil lawsuit or bankruptcy proceeding? If yes, please explain: Election Contest in 2017. Withdrew lawsuit.
Why are you seeking this office? With the view of the future, I’m seeking the highest office in the county to improve the quality of life for our residents through sound public policies, cost effective service delivery, unmatched public health network, and innovations and processes that leads to lower taxes. I believe my experiences and training will allow me to be a great Tarrant County Judge.
What would your top 3 policy priorities be? Together, we’ll work to improve the development and execution our plan to mitigate the pandemic in our county. Through collaborations and partnerships we’ll develop and support programs that addresses the needs of our veterans, seniors, students, families, and businesses, ensuring the success of our communities. By utilizing leading edge technology and innovation to increase effectiveness and efficiency in our operations and departments, we’ll continue to lower taxes to ensure taxpayers keep more of their earnings.
Why should voters choose you over your opponents? As a strong, positive, and knowledgeable leader, I welcome voters to look at my experience and service on Arlington City County and in the community. I advocated for our community through amending Arlington gas drilling ordinance to increase the distance around daycares, supporting a public and private development that will generate $1.8 billions in economic benefits for Tarrant County, and ensuring diversity and equality, by creating a nationally recognized committee, The Unity Council. I will continue to advocate for Tarrant County. I’m respected, resourceful and ready to work with the commissioner’s court to elevate our residents experiences in Tarrant County.
What should county government do to expand and improve COVID testing? The county should consider creating a combination of mobile and fixed testing sites in underserved communities that are disproportionately affected and setting up temporary vending stations near public facilities and malls throughout the county.
Should the county take more steps to encourage COVID vaccination, and if so, what would you support? Yes. I would support incentives to encourage vaccinations for those that would like to be vaccinated. Offer free onsite vaccinations at the workplace as apart of a wellness plan.
What transportation priorities would you pursue? Are there specific road projects you’d like to see? With experience on the National League of Cities Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, I believe transportation and connectability is import for our county and our residents. As our population ages, it’s imperative that we provide the opportunity to connect our seniors to medical and dental facilities and retail and grocery stores. Flexible transportation options are the key access to major urban employment centers. I would support working with the Regional Transportation Council and local municipalities in creating a comprehensive transportation networks that includes ride share on demand.
What changes should be made to the property appraisal process? The appraisal process should factor economic indicators in the valuation process.
In what ways do you think the county should be spending its American Rescue Plan Act dollars? The American Rescue Plan Act funds should be used as an additional investment for support programs that address homelessness, mental health, equity in underserved communities, childcare, food insecurities, and the economy.
Deborah Peoples
Occupation: Retired executive
Age: 69
What’s the best way for voters to reach you? Deborahfortexas.com
Website: Deborahfortexas.com
Public offices you’ve held or run for, with years:
Tarrant County Democratic Party Chair 2012-2021
Candidate Mayor, City of Fort Worth 2019
Candidate, Mayor City of Fort Worth 2021
Have you ever been arrested, charged with a crime or otherwise been part of a criminal proceeding? If yes, please explain: No
Have you been involved in a civil lawsuit or bankruptcy proceeding? If yes, please explain: No bankruptcy
Why are you seeking this office? I believe that our rapidly growing diverse county deserves an experienced leader who will respect ALL residents and work to ensure that we are meeting the needs of all our residents. My corporate experience combined with my long time work in community uniquely prepares me to lead through a lens of equity and fairness.
What would your top 3 policy priorities be?
- Bringing businesses to Tarrant County that offer well paying jobs that will improve the quality of life for our residents and allow us to start to right size our unbalanced tax model which unfairly impacts homeowners.
- Good Healthcare focus and administration is critical to keeping our residents safe and we’ll. The ongoing Covid pandemic shows our lack of preparedness on the issue as all residents have not been provided adequate information or access to vaccinations.
- Equitable distribution of infrastructure
Why should voters choose you over your opponent(s)? My experience as a business leader and my proven history of inclusion. In 2022 Tarrant County CANNOT continue to practice the politics of division. We must focus on including all our residents in creating common sense solutions to issues that are facing us.
What should county government do to expand and improve COVID testing? I believe we must do a better job of reaching out to and being in neighborhoods and communities where vaccination rates are lagging. We must be proactive in not only educating and dispelling covid misinformation but providing access to test sites.
Should the county take more steps to encourage COVID vaccination, and if so, what would you support? Absolutely. As chief executive of the county my role must be to provide accuracy information and lead by example. I would immediately form a Covid rapid response public campaign with stakeholders to work in all communities to dispel misinformation . As a citizen who works in the community daily I am saddened at the high level of misinformation that our leaders should have addressed by now.
What transportation priorities would you pursue? Are there specific road projects you’d like to see? Providing quality transportation must be addressed. My public position has always been that we must provide world class public transportation options to improve traffic problems and provide our citizens with access to jobs and ease of travel around the county. Work must begin to improve travel around the county by public transportation .
What changes should be made to the property appraisal process? We must start at step one of the appraisal process. We must look at how we set property values for businesses vs homeowners. Also we should look at the impact of mass appraisals on poorer communities when gentrification starts.
In what ways do you think the county should be spending its American Rescue Plan Act dollars? As these funds can be used for public safety, public health and healthcare county leadership should ensure that we are distributing these dollars equitably in ensuring that all communities have an opportunity to benefit.
