Here are the candidates for Fort Worth City Council District 9 in May 3 election
Elections for Fort Worth City Council are in May of odd-numbered years. Nine of the 10 districts have contested elections. Alan Blaylock is running unopposed in District 10.
Early voting for the May 3 election runs from April 22-April 29.
Elizabeth Beck
Age: 42
Campaign website: elizabethforfortworth.com
Best way for voters to reach you: info@elizabethbeckforfortworth.com
Occupation: Attorney
Education: B.A. University of Texas at Arlington, M.A. in City and Regional Planning, J.D. Texas A&M School of Law
Have you run for elected office before? (Please list previous offices sought, with years): Texas House District 97 (2020), Fort Worth Council District 9 (2021, 2023)
Please list the highlights of your civic involvement/activism in the city of Fort Worth: As your Councilwoman, I currently serve on the Regional Transportation Council, Visit Fort Worth and Near Southside Inc. Board of Directors. I have previously served as the president of my children’s parents club, vice-president of my homeowners association, and have served on committees and as chair for multiple organizations. I have served on the Board of Directors for Congregation Beth-El and the Planned Parenthood of Greater Texas Fort Worth Community Board. I devote my spare time to getting women elected across the state through organizations like Annie’s List, and served as their Tarrant County Steering Committee Chair.
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: Michael Cody Torres v. City of Fort Worth et al. A protester was arrested by members of the FWPD and brought an action against myself and members of the FWPD.
Who are your top three campaign contributors?: Fort Worth Firefighters Committee for Responsible Government, Accountable Government Fund, Good Government Fund.
Why do you want this job?: I ran for City Council to ensure Fort Worth continues to provide the opportunity to succeed for future generations that it provided me. That means we need safe neighborhoods, a strong economy with good paying jobs, access to quality schools and higher education opportunities, and housing residents can afford. I’m proud of the work I have done in my two terms as your Councilwoman to ensure Fort Worth remains on the right track, from increased street maintenance to tackling homelessness, I have fought to deliver resources to District 9 and make Fort Worth a safer place to live. I am seeking a third term to continue the fight for the residents of District 9 at City Hall.
If elected, what would your top 3 policy priorities be?: Our residents deserve world-class infrastructure from your streets to your water. That is why as your Councilwoman I will continue to advocate for resources to improve and replace our aging infrastructure.
As Fort Worth grows so does the homeless population, which disproportionately impacts the central city and District 9. I will continue to advocate for resources on council to reduce homelessness in our community to continue successes like $5M of federal funding for permanent supportive housing or $2M for a High Impact program to address chronically homeless with mental health needs, and additional H.O.P.E. team officers.
Ensure the City is smart with your tax dollars so that we are providing efficient, reliable and cost-effective solutions for our community. Over the last four years I have fought for lower property by over six cents all while increasing the number of police and firefighters and additional street maintenance.
What does it mean to be a successful council member?: Being a successful council member means listening to the people you represent, showing up for your community, and delivering meaningful, tangible results — and that’s exactly what I’ve done during my time on Fort Worth City Council.
What are the biggest challenges facing District 9?: District 9 is home to some of the oldest areas of the city, which means it is also home to some of the oldest infrastructure. From street to water and stormwater improvements, District 9 is in need of updates. City wide cast iron pipe replacement is estimated to cost $1.6B and there is a $66M gap in funding for required street maintenance. We must prioritize these investments to keep residents safe and deliver resilient infrastructure for both today and tomorrow. In this last budget additional funding was allocated toward street maintenance. I would continue to advocate for additional funding and allocation of bond dollars. In addition, I would work with state and federal partners to seek additional funding sources, like the $5M in federal dollars secured for the Lindwood storm water project.
What are the biggest opportunities facing District 9?: District 9 is one of the most dynamic and diverse parts of Fort Worth, and its greatest opportunities lie in the explosive growth in the district.From downtown to Wedgwood there is tremendous investment occurring in District 9. With additional development comes additional jobs and opportunities for residents. With the expansion of Texas A&M and the convention center downtown to affordable homes for purchase in Rosemont, the biggest opportunity for District 9 is to harness that growth to build dynamic places for residents to live, work and play.
What are the district’s biggest needs heading into the 2026 Bond, and how will you make sure they get addressed?: District 9 needs investment in its aging streets and community facilities, additional workforce housing, and smart solutions for transportation infrastructure in the urban core/ W7th area. This is why I asked staff to increase the proposed allocations for streets in the upcoming bond, include W. 7th planning studies and include dollars for housing, and replace the Southwest Community Center. I will continue to work alongside the residents of District 9 to advocate for resources to better our community.
What role (if any) should the city play in addressing literacy struggles in the Fort Worth school district?: While the Fort Worth ISD operates independently of the city, the city absolutely has a role to play in supporting efforts to improve student outcomes–when our students thrive, Fort Worth thrives.
First and foremost, a student cannot succeed without a safe and supportive environment at home. That is why we must ensure that there is affordable housing, safe neighborhoods and that parents have well-paid employment opportunities.
The City of Fort Worth and FWISD must continue to collaborate to bring community members and business to the table to support our public schools and invest in early childhood education. I’m proud to have voted for our early childhood learning facilities to be exempt from property taxes to lower the cost of early education.
Literacy is not just a school issue — it’s a community issue. And as a city, we should use every tool at our disposal to ensure every child in Fort Worth has the opportunity to read, learn, and thrive.
What role (if any) should the city play in mediating disputes between downtown business owners?: The city should not be in the business of picking winners and losers in our community but should be a trusted neutral partner with a focus on what is best for the residents and guests of the city. Where the city is a vested stakeholder it is appropriate at times for the city to act as a facilitator to build community consensus.
What concrete steps will you take to address affordable housing in Fort Worth?: As Fort Worth continues to be one of the fastest growing cities in the nation, it’s imperative we ensure residents have attainable workforce housing. I’ve already secured $2 million of federal ARPA dollars to help build 290 units of affordable housing in a working-class neighborhood; leveraged community resources to develop the nation’s largest Community Land Trust, which will provide ownership opportunities; and supported multiple zoning changes for workforce housing developments. Additionally, I will be a strong advocate to include funds for workforce housing in the 2026 bond.
What are the most important qualities for the person who replaces outgoing Police Chief Neil Noakes?: Fort Worth residents deserve a professional, well-trained, and service-oriented police force, and that leadership starts at the top. Finding the right person for the job is crucial in the success of our city and our officers. The next police chief should continue the work FWPD has already begun to ensure that we have a well-trained, well-equipped police force with a focus on transparency and accountability, while keeping a community-oriented approach to policing. I believe the Fort Worth Police Department has made great strides building trust with our community and would like to see the next Chief continue these innovative programs.
What else would you like to share with District 9 residents about your vision for the city that we haven’t asked?: District 9 is the heart of the city and if the heart is failing, the rest will follow. It’s also a complicated district; with major economic generators like Downtown and the Medical District and a dozen unique neighborhoods with distinct needs. Often decisions made relating to District 9 have significance city-wide. As your Councilwoman I have often been faced with balancing the needs of a unique neighborhood or constituency with the city as a whole. My starting point is always listening to the concerns of the residents of District 9 and attempting to reach a solution that is good for both the District and the City as a whole. At the end of the day District 9 has elected me to be their advocate at City Hall and it’s my job to deliver what’s best for them, and if District 9 thrives so does Fort Worth
Michael Raulerson
Age: 22
Campaign website: https://sites.google.com/u/0/d/1xfReJaYzts8FhafS2opTQlES3r-BkH28/preview
Best way for voters to reach you: https://www.facebook.com/share/18LB83sUDG/?mibextid=wwXIfr
Occupation: Construction/ customer service
Education: High school diploma
Have you run for elected office before? (Please list previous offices sought, with years): No
Please list the highlights of your civic involvement/activism in the city of Fort Worth: I protested/ spoke out against the current deportation policy’s which is being used to separate families throughout the U.S..
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?: Self financed
Why do you want this job?: I want this opportunity so that I can uplift the working class of Fort Worth by helping make Fort Worth more affordable, improving public amenities, and providing good job opportunities.
If elected, what would your top 3 policy priorities be?: Cutting back on privatization in infrastructure projects by using municipal corporations, increasing funding to infrastructure projects/ Fort Worth railway systems, and creating government owned affordable housing opportunities for to reduce the cost of living in Fort Worth.
What does it mean to be a successful council member?: It means that I’m able to help improve the lives of the average worker/ resident in Fort Worth.
What are the biggest challenges facing District 9?: District 9 in Fort Worth is experiencing a massive amount of new developments/ expansions, although we should encourage expansions such as new apartments, we need to make sure we reinvest in infrastructure prior to such expansions.
What are the biggest opportunities facing District 9?: A huge opportunity we could have in district 9 is the need to invest in infrastructure projects which we could use to expand our public jobs program and expand public amenities.
What are the district’s biggest needs heading into the 2026 Bond, and how will you make sure they get addressed?: I believe we should have government owned housing and drastically improve our train/ transportation system given how fast our city is growing. I would make sure this is addressed by voting and advocating for such policies.
What role (if any) should the city play in addressing literacy struggles in the Fort Worth school district?: We should be pushing for more funding to our public schools, additionally we should work with other major cities in Texas to put as much pressure on the Texas government as possible so Texas increases their funding per student as well, because since 2010 the funding per student has essentially stayed the same throughout Texas.
What role (if any) should the city play in mediating disputes between downtown business owners?: We should mediate decisions if it directly improves the lives of our residents.
What concrete steps will you take to address affordable housing in Fort Worth?: I believe we have a lack of affordable housing in Fort Worth so we should use vacant lots in Fort Worth and build publicly owned apartments that we rent out for as little as feasible and we should require all apartments taking tax dollars to lower their rent.
What are the most important qualities for the person who replaces outgoing Police Chief Neil Noakes?: It’s very important that they adapt a strong strategy of de-escalating situations and focus on crime prevention on violent crimes.
What else would you like to share with District 9 residents about your vision for the city that we haven’t asked?: I believe that Fort Worth is a great city but right now Fort Worth has areas that are doing very well financially while at the same time other areas of the city are being left behind. I believe the best we to combat this is by reinvesting in social programs, improving public amenities, and making drastic improvements to infrastructure projects.
Jenny Stewart
Age: 61
Campaign website: https://jennyfordistrict9.com/
Best way for voters to reach you: hello@jennyfordistrict9.com
Occupation: Small Business Owner
Education: Degree in Chemical Engineering from UT Austin
Have you run for elected office before? (Please list previous offices sought, with years): No
Please list the highlights of your civic involvement/activism in the city of Fort Worth: Former President, Saginaw Area Chamber of Commerce
Former President, Eagle Mountain Saginaw Rotary
Vice President, Fort Worth Rowing Club
Former Executive Council, Fort Worth Junior Woman’s Club
Women Steering Business
Sponsor for Community Link
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?: Haydon Cutler, Andrew Schatte , Hammer & Nails PAC
Why do you want this job?: I’m running because District 9 deserves a leader who combines practical experience with a forward-thinking vision. My background as a chemical engineer and a business owner gives me a practical, data-driven approach to problem-solving, and responsible economic development. I want to bring a more collaborative, responsive approach to City Hall—one that listens to every part of our district, from Downtown to Wedgwood, and delivers real results.
If elected, what would your top 3 policy priorities be?:
1. Infrastructure and City Services – Ensuring safe streets, reliable utilities, and addressing the ongoing issue of hazardous galvanized pipes, which pose a serious risk to our water quality. I will also focus on cleaning up pollutants, including forever chemicals, in the Trinity River to protect both public health and our environment.
2. Public Safety - Emergency services face massive strains on their resources during periods of rapid growth in a city. This plays directly into the need for a long-term, strategic plan for the future of the community to ensure that the demand for a larger public safety presence is met.
3. Neighborhood Integrity - Devising a strategic, responsible, and thoughtful plan for future growth within District 9 will provide the community with every tool needed to accommodate rapid growth, infrastructure strains, and housing demands, all while preserving the character and rich history of the neighborhoods within the District.
What does it mean to be a successful council member?: A successful council member is a bridge-builder, listener, and advocate who stays grounded in the needs of their constituents. It means showing up at neighborhood meetings, at events honoring first responders, in council chambers, and ultimately in the community day in and day out. Having these conversations with constituents and stakeholders alike is imperative, and turning those insights into action cannot happen without honest and open communication. I don’t measure success just by policy wins, but by the relationships, trust, and transparency I build in the community. I will be an approachable, pragmatic, and collaborative member that handles every council vote and constituent issue with an analytical and fair approach.
What are the biggest challenges facing District 9?: We’re experiencing growing pains: aging infrastructure, rising housing costs, and strained city services in some areas. Additionally, we have the challenge of a hazardous water infrastructure system with thousands of galvanized pipes that need urgent attention along with the issue of various chemical pollutants in our river. Our police department has 170 vacancies that urgently need to be filled, and they, along with our firefighters, need far more resources to address emergencies.
What are the biggest opportunities facing District 9?: District 9 has an exciting opportunity for growth and renewal. With responsible and collaborative planning and action, we can revitalize commercial corridors and incentivize major employers to invest here, all while preserving the integrity of our historic neighborhoods. There’s also room for environmentally sustainable projects that benefit both residents and the ecosystem, especially in terms of clean water initiatives and environmental preservation along the Trinity River.
What are the district’s biggest needs heading into the 2026 Bond, and how will you make sure they get addressed?: We need significant investment in infrastructure, including addressing the hazardous galvanized pipes that need replacing, and improving stormwater management and public utilities. I will work to ensure these needs are prioritized in the 2026 Bond, ensuring equitable investment across all neighborhoods. We also need park improvements and infrastructure updates in areas affected by crime and neglect.
What role (if any) should the city play in addressing literacy struggles in the Fort Worth school district?: While education is largely the school district’s responsibility, the city has a key role to play in supporting youth and families. That means expanding library programs, investing in after-school and summer learning opportunities, and working with nonprofits and schools to create safe, literacy-rich environments. A more literate city is a stronger city.
What role (if any) should the city play in mediating disputes between downtown business owners?: The city should act as a facilitator and neutral partner when disputes threaten the vitality of our commercial districts. Mediation, clear communication, and fair enforcement of ordinances can help resolve conflicts and preserve the strong business community we need downtown.
What concrete steps will you take to address affordable housing in Fort Worth?: I support affordable housing projects, but we need to be realistic about where they are located. We should prioritize development in areas that don’t undermine the commercial tax base of critical districts like Downtown and 7th Street. Additionally, we need to avoid placing new affordable housing projects in areas struggling with rising crime due to poor management of existing affordable housing. We must focus on responsible development that provides opportunities without displacing existing businesses or residents. The best way to make housing more affordable is to remove unnecessary barriers, paperwork, and fees preventing builders – who are eager to develop in Fort Worth – from constructing new homes. My unique understanding of this crucial issue is why I’m endorsed by Hammer and Nails PAC, the political arm of the Greater Fort Worth Builders Association.
What are the most important qualities for the person who replaces outgoing Police Chief Neil Noakes?: We need a leader who is committed to transparency, recruitment, retention, community engagement, and improving response times. That means someone who can earn public trust, embrace data-driven reforms, support officer wellness and training, and work collaboratively across departments to ensure public safety for all.
What else would you like to share with District 9 residents about your vision for the city that we haven’t asked?: I believe in a Fort Worth that works for everyone across this unique, historical, and culturally diverse district. I am running to bring common-sense leadership to the Council, grounded in science, community input, and real-world experience. I’m not afraid to ask tough questions, challenge the status quo, or roll up my sleeves to get the job done. Together, we can build a future that honors our past and embraces smart, inclusive growth.
.jpg)