Meet the candidates for Tarrant County Precinct 1 commissioner in Nov. 5 election

Republican Michael Barber and Democrat Roderick Miles are on the ballot in Tarrant County’s first precinct, where they hope to represent residents on the county Commissioners Court.

Both are lifelong Tarrant County residents. Barber, a former Fort Worth police officer, has served as Republican precinct chair since 2019, and is active in various organizations that support the law enforcement community.

Miles attributes his dedication to public service to his family’s trailblazing history in the county. His grandparents owned and operated one of the first Black-owned grocery stores in Fort Worth, empowering Black families to achieve homeownership and leaving a lasting impression on him.

The candidates’ responses to our questionnaire are presented as they answered them. They have not been altered or edited in any way.

Michael Barber

Political party: Republican

Age: 62

Campaign website: https://barberfortexas.com/

Best way for voters to reach you: mbarber@barberfortexas.com

Occupation: Retired Fort Worth Police Officer

Education: Southwest High School Class of 1980

Have you run for elected office before?

Republican Precinct Chair 2019 - Current

Please list the highlights of your civic involvement/activism:

Volunteer Leader, Fort Worth Police and Firefighter Memorial 1996-2006, Deacon, church leader, and Security Advisor at Wedgwood Baptist Church 1971-Current, Tarrant County Republican Party (Election Judge, Precinct Chair, State Delegate) 2019-Current, Texas Police Association (Past-President) Improving the Police Profession through Training and Education, which directly affects the 77,000 Law Enforcement professionals in Texas. 1994-Current, Fort Worth Police Historical Association (Past-President) Leadership over numerous special events including the 2012 Centennial Panther Badge Project.

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

Who are your top three campaign contributors?

Rep. David Cook, The Wisemans, The Teitelbaums, The McQueeneys

Why are you seeking this office?

I am a lifelong Tarrant County resident with deep roots in the community who is committed to leading with strong conservative values. Having served as a law enforcement leader for over 31 years, I pledge to lead with integrity and accountability, with a focus on improving the lives of Tarrant County residents. As your representative, I will help protect the unique things that make Tarrant County so special.

What are your top 3 policy priorities?

Economy - Tarrant County is growing rapidly, we need an economy that benefits all residents. I will focus on bringing quality jobs and supporting local businesses.

Crime - We have seen an increase in crime - as a retired police office who has worked these streets, I know what it takes to protect our residents.

Drugs / Public Health - Fentanyl is wrecking our community - I want to support public health programs that address mental health and addiction issues. Additionally, quality of life has not improved under current Democratic leadership in this district - I will focus on making sure all areas of the precinct are represented, not just a select politically connected small group of individuals.

Why should voters choose you over your opponent(s)?

It comes down to does the voter want a 30 year law enforcement professional or a community activist? Precinct 1 has been in under Democratic leadership for decades, and yet has some of the worst public health and life expectancy rates in the United States. At what point do resident demand better? I vow to bring change and disrupt the status quo.

Issues of ethics and decorum have surfaced in the commissioners court in recent months. How would you respond to actions you may perceive to be unethical or inappropriate both on the bench and behind closed doors?

A county commissioner is there to serve the residents of Tarrant County. As a law enforcement officer, I’ve never asked any resident what their political affiliation is before I help them. If elected, I vow to fulfill my sworn duty to represent all residents with honesty, integrity and accountability.

Roderick Miles

Political party: Democrat

Age: 53

Campaign website: milesfortarrant.org

Best way for voters to reach you: info@milesfortarrant.org

Occupation: Executive Administrator

Education: BA Psychology

Have you run for elected office before?

no

Please list the highlights of your civic involvement/activism:

Chair of the Greater Fort Worth MLK Holiday Committee, member of the Tarrant County Fort Worth Branch of NAACP, member of the Social Action committee of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Inc, and member of Leadership Fort Worth and Leadership ISD Class of 2018.

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

Who are your top three campaign contributors?

Accountable Government Fund, Nancy Rimmer, and Roy Charles Brooks

Why are you seeking this office?

I am running for Tarrant County Commissioner, Precinct One, to further my lifelong commitment to serving our community. Growing up in Tarrant County and witnessing the positive impact of my grandparents’ community involvement, I developed a deep sense of responsibility towards our residents. My experience as Executive Administrator of Programs and Outreach for Commissioner Roy Charles Brooks has equipped me to address the diverse needs of our community effectively.

My campaign focuses on Healthcare, Infrastructure, Public Safety, and Responsible Tax Relief. As a resident who has witnessed and contributed to the growth of Precinct One, I understand the challenges and opportunities we face. I aim to champion policies that ensure a vibrant, safe, and prosperous community for all, building on our strengths and addressing our challenges with innovative and inclusive solutions.

What are your top 3 policy priorities?

The three key issues in this race are safeguarding our public health safety net, tackling rising property taxes while creating high-quality jobs, and implementing criminal justice reform.

Protecting the JPS Healthcare system is essential, as it’s the cornerstone of our community’s health and trauma services. I will ensure it receives the support needed to provide comprehensive care.

Rising property taxes are a major concern. We must balance addressing this issue with creating high-quality jobs that provide living wages, promoting both affordability and economic growth.

Criminal justice reform is crucial. The county jail struggles with overcrowding and fair treatment. We need alternatives to incarceration that emphasize rehabilitation and reduce recidivism.

Addressing these challenges is vital for the prosperity and well-being of Precinct One, and I am committed to equitable solutions for each.

Why should voters choose you over your opponent(s)?

Voters should choose me because I bring the experience and deep community ties needed to serve effectively from day one. For over a decade, I’ve served as Executive Administrator of Programs and Outreach for Commissioner Roy Charles Brooks, working to address public safety, healthcare, infrastructure, and economic development. My lifelong residency and family’s legacy of service in Tarrant County give me a deep understanding of our community’s needs. I’m committed to practical solutions and ensuring that Precinct One thrives. In contrast, my opponent lacks this experience and understanding of how to navigate county government, which would hinder progress at a time when we need effective leadership. I believe in transparency and building strong relationships with residents to foster trust and accountability. I’m ready to step in immediately, bringing a proven record of service and a commitment to creating a stronger, more resilient community for all.

Issues of ethics and decorum have surfaced in the commissioners court in recent months. How would you respond to actions you may perceive to be unethical or inappropriate both on the bench and behind closed doors?

Transparency and ethics are the foundation of a healthy democracy. When elected officials fail to uphold these values, it erodes public trust and weakens our government. I believe that all actions—whether on the bench or behind closed doors—must meet the highest ethical standards. If I witness unethical or inappropriate behavior, I will not hesitate to speak out and push for accountability. We must move away from the harm caused by harmful rhetoric, which only deepens divisions and undermines our ability to govern effectively. As Commissioner, I will continue to advocate for greater transparency in county government, ensuring that our processes remain open and accessible to the public. The people of Tarrant County deserve leaders who act with integrity and prioritize the public good over personal interests. We must restore faith in our government by holding ourselves and each other to the highest standards.

This story was originally published October 7, 2024 at 3:20 PM.

Cody Copeland

Fort Worth Star-Telegram

Cody Copeland was an accountability reporter for the Fort Worth Star-Telegram. He previously reported from Mexico for Courthouse News and Mexico News Daily.