What kind of change does Fort Worth want? Here’s our recommendation for mayor vote
The choice before voters in the race for Fort Worth mayor boils down to this: What kind of change do you want?
Mattie Parker is a classic Fort Worth candidate, favored by business and political leaders, past mayors and the Police Officers Association. But a 37-year-old mayor with no previous experience in an elected office would usher in a new generation of leadership. Parker would be the youngest big-city mayor in America.
Deborah Peoples’ election would overrule the establishment and mark a significant liberal shift in city politics. She would also be the first Black mayor in Fort Worth, a city where 61% of the population are minorities.
Each of the four leading candidates, including current City Council members Brian Byrd and Ann Zadeh, would bring some of the skills needed to the office. But Parker is the best choice to replace Betsy Price, the longest-serving mayor in Fort Worth’s history. She would bring sustainable improvement in many areas, manage the impact of growth and put Fort Worth on a path for its young, diverse population to shine.
Parker, who heads a nonprofit education group after years as chief of staff to the mayor and council, has the skills to bring disparate groups together and get results. In a government run by a professional city manager and staff, the mayor is more of a leader and tone-setter than a policymaker.
Parker has a good grasp on where the city needs to improve, including attention to diversity and equity issues, support for small businesses and better corporate recruitment. She will push for the city to lead in innovation and entrepreneurship and help make it more attractive to younger workers and job creators.
We were initially skeptical of how Parker, largely unknown to voters, jumped into the race as an immediate top contender. But she has noticeably improved during the campaign, and we’re confident she’ll continue to grow as mayor.
One area where that must happen is her response to concerns about the Police Department. She’s made clear she stands with officers and appears inclined to give the new chief, Neil Noakes, and police monitor Kim Neal time and room to implement change.
That’s appropriate, but Parker must demonstrate a fuller understanding of the distrust so many residents feel have after years of interaction with the department. Some Black and Hispanic Fort Worthians may be leery of officers, but the vast majority want effective policing to protect their communities.
Parker talks often about the need to bring stakeholders together for honest conversation and compromise. She’d be tested quickly with the coming trial of Aaron Dean, the officer who fatally shot resident Atatiana Jefferson in her home. The next mayor will need an ability to keep peace and ensure all communities are heard.
Peoples, 68, a retired AT&T executive and head of the Tarrant County Democratic Party, is the most dynamic candidate in the field. Her business experience is impressive, and it shows when she talks about the importance of pitching Fort Worth’s diversity to businesses that may invest here. Her love of Fort Worth is admirable.
Peoples’ term leading the local party has been marked by high expectations and disappointing results, and her campaign has at times seemed lackluster. These are troubling signs for her ability to be effective at City Hall.
Byrd has been a solid council member representing District 3, some of the more conservative parts of Fort Worth. The 50-year-old physician demonstrates a great desire to serve. We were pleased with his strong comments in our candidate interview about the need for the mayor to acknowledge our “history of mistreatment of African American individuals in our country and our city that goes back centuries.” But Byrd’s campaign has been divisive at times, and he would not be the best salesman for the city.
By any measure, Zadeh, 54, should be an excellent mayoral candidate. She’s an urban planner by profession, and her record in District 9, which can bring political challenges, is strong. But we’ve been disappointed by the lack of specifics in her campaign.
Several other candidates round out the ballot. Steve Penate, a 37-year-old real estate broker and pastor, has brought a fiery social conservatism to the race. He campaigns in generalities and seems determined to bring the combat we see daily in national politics to the city level. No thanks.
Daniel “DC” Caldwell, a 36-year-old educator, and Cedric C. Kanyinda, a 36-year-old business owner, are well-intentioned but in no way prepared to be mayor. The remaining candidates did not respond to our interview invitation and don’t appear to be campaigning much.
Early voting starts Monday and ends April 27. Election Day is May 1.
A June 5 runoff between the top two candidates is all but certain. Parker vs. Peoples would clarify the road ahead for Fort Worth.
BEHIND THE STORY
MOREHey, who is behind these endorsements?
Members of the Editorial Board, which serves as the Fort Worth Star-Telegram’s institutional voice, decide candidates and positions to recommend to voters. The members of the board are: Cynthia M. Allen, columnist; Steve Coffman, editor and president; Bud Kennedy, columnist; Ryan J. Rusak, opinion editor; and Nicole Russell, opinion writer.
Members of our Community Advisory Board may also participate in candidate interviews and offer their views, but they do not vote on which candidate to recommend.
Read more by clicking the arrow in the upper right.
How does the process work?
The Editorial Board interviews candidates, asking about positions on issues, experience and qualifications, and how they would approach holding the office for which they are running. Board members do additional research on candidates’ backgrounds and the issues at hand. After that, members discuss the candidates and generally aim to arrive at a consensus, though not necessarily unanimity. All members contribute observations and ideas, so the resulting editorials represent the board’s view, not a particular writer.
How do partisanship and ideology factor in?
We’re not tied to one party or the other, and our positions on issues range across the ideological spectrum. We tend to prefer candidates who align with our previously stated positions, but qualifications, temperament and experience are important, too.
This story was originally published April 18, 2021 at 6:04 AM.