Runoff Special Edition June 5, 2021 Welcome to the Fort Worth Business Press Voters’ Guide This not technically a voters’ guide. Instead, it is an effort to let you compare candidates in the Fort Worth City Elections and the Fort Worth Independent School District Board of Trustees election. The runoff election is June 5. How we did it: We developed a verified email list from the ballot applications and then offered candidates an opportunity to respond to a set of questions about the issues they perceive and how they would address them if the voters agree to give them a job. What we did not do: – We did not factcheck the candidate responses. – We edited the responses only lightly for issues like formatting, duplications and some spellings. If candidates typed in ALL CAPS, we left it like that. Why we did it: Voting is the bedrock of democracy and an intelligent and informed voter is essential to a functioning political system. Local elections are the most direct connection between voters and government and the decisions the voters made May 1 and will make June 5 will determine the path our local political entities will follow for the short-term – and maybe the long-term – as we recover from the devastation of COVID-19 and the recent Arctic weather. The general Tarrant County Elections Office website can be found here: https://www.tarrantcounty.com/en/elections.html 817-831-8683 Email: [email protected] Interactive Voter Lookup. Search for voters, polling locations, and sample ballots. 2021 LisT OF RUNOFF CANDIDATES CITY OF FORT WORTH MAYOR Mattie Parker Deborah Peoples FORT WORTH CITY COUNCIL DISTRICT 6 Jungus Jordan – Incumbent Jared Williams DISTRICT 7 Leonard Firestone Zeb Pent DISTRICT 8 Kelly Allen Gray – Incumbent Chris Nettles DISTRICT 9 Elizabeth Beck Fernando Peralta FORT WORTH ISD FWISD District 9 Cade Lovelace Roxanne Martinez FORTFORT WORTHWORTH MAYORMAYOR FORTFORT WORTHWORTH MAYORMAYOR Mylene George Mattie J. Parker What do you see as the most immediate pressing issues facing the governmental body to which you are seeking they emerge from COVID successfully. 3rd largest metropolitan region, the time is now to look to future economic trends and the next emerging sectors election? Concurrently, we must also take an aggressive strategy for corporate relocation and growth opportunities for to compete adequately in this rapidly growing economy. The immediate pressing issue is making every part of Fort Worth a place welcoming for everyone to not only visit but businesses across the country that will be using 2021 to This won’t happen from city hall, but instead rallying our strongest business leaders to support efforts to attract, live. That branches from how we enhance the lower socioeconomic communities as well as the opportunities we can plan and evaluate options the long-term plans. We cannot sit on the sidelines, but instead bring Fort Worth to major retain and train the best and brightest to support the future create in those areas. corporations across the world and demonstrate the value of of Fort Worth. How might those issues change in two years? a home in Fort Worth. People are often critical of city and county government. Supporting our students: Let’s get to the point and be real What do you see as failures and successes of the elected My hope is to find ways to develop in those areas without displacing the current residents. Instead, providing them with about the devastatingly negative impact of COVID-19 our body you are seeking to join? new developments that would benefit them. students. We are at real risk of losing an entire generation Fort Worth works hard to be transparent, but the message and future leaders of our city due to the academic is sometimes lost in the ever-changing ways in which we get If you win election, what are your top three priorities to accomplish and why? regression caused by COVID. It is the responsibility of our news. We must be consistent in our communications, our city leaders to partner with educators, school leaders ensuring that our stories are compelling and informative, Improving race relations/policing. Fort Worth residents are diverse and there is no reason why people of a certain and parents to provide the best possible options for our so that every resident knows what our local government is demographic should feel uncomfortable or unsafe within their own city. students to get them back on track. Pushing for every doing and why. resource, public and private will be critical to provide the The Property Tax rate. Fort Worth homeowners are questioning whether or not they can comfortably afford the Despite best efforts by our elected officials, we have to appropriate resources for our teachers and school leaders, focus on uniting our community and remembering that increasing rates. That is counterproductive to wanting to make and keep Fort Worth Home for visitors and residents alike. and much of this recovery will be starting this summer and there are more things that unite us than divide us. Partisan our next Mayor must be a partner in this work. Mayor politics accomplishes nothing. We must find consensus OFFICE: Mayor Panther Island development should be reviewed. With such a large financial request with no federal backing I feel as OFFICE: How might those issues change in two years? every Tuesday, at City Council, on a variety of complex What is your age: 28 though pausing on this project and placing funds in the surrounding community instead would be beneficial. What is your age: 37 These issues will likely remain the same in a two year and important issues to keep Fort Worth strong. City of residence: Fort Worth period, but positive change depends on strong leadership There must be coordination between all government City of residence: Fort Worth If you can accomplish only one priority, what would that be and why? Native of Tarrant County: No at City Hall, political unity and a genuine working partners – city, county, state and federal. We can do better My goal would be to focus on the race relations. How great can our city really be if only certain people feel comfortable relationship between all neighborhoods throughout the and should. My experience working at every level of Native of Tarrant County: Yes City of birth: Austin enough to explore it. city. Beating the COVID-19 virus and rebuilding from government helps me understand the perspective and how City of birth: Fort Worth When did you move into the political jurisdiction? the economic devastation with a focus on all areas of our to align priorities effectively. People are often critical of city and county government. What do you see as failures and successes of the elected 06/01/2008 city will allow Fort Worth to come back stronger than Why are you the best candidate for this office? Profession: Marketing Coordinator ever but it will take intention and leadership. Facilitating body you are seeking to join? Profession: Nonprofit Executive and championing economic recovery will hinge upon the For 17 years I’ve served in state, federal and local public Education: Graduated from Central High School They have been successful in growing Fort Worth into more than just homes and a few stores. They have added Education: Hico High School; University of Texas at city’s ability to cut red tape and ensure we are make doing service, giving me the critical experience needed, along in Keller, Texas. Graduated from Tarrant County Austin, Bachelor of Arts in Government; Texas Wesleyan business and treating our residents like customers. with a front row seat in understanding the mayor’s role attractions, such as Clearfork, to add a little variance to typical shopping centers. School of Law (Texas A&M School of Law), Juris in leading and serving our city. I bring executive-level Community College With an Associates of Arts. Doctorate If you win election, what are your top three priorities to experience to City Hall where I was the go-to leader for Where they succeed in innovating ways to generate funds they fail at taking the impact of the people in the area into accomplish and why? community leaders, elected officials and the City Manager Have you held elective office before? No consideration. The aftermath of the builds leads to higher property taxes for long term residents and natives, Taxing them Significant recognitions/honors: 1. Ensuring safe and thriving neighborhoods in every part to solve problems and get things done. There is simply no out of their homes. MacLean & Boulware Endowed Law Scholarship, 2012 Fort of Fort Worth one more prepared and to tackle every tough issue with Worth Business Press 40 Under 40, 2013 The Gatehouse 2. Growing our economy through innovation the same depth of knowledge, community support and Why are you the best candidate for this office? Inaugural Recipient, Woman to Watch motivation to do what is right for all Fort Worth residents. 3. Creating an efficient and business-friendly City Hall The Association of Substance Abuse Programs (ASAP), Those that have worked with me know me to be a quick I bring a fresh outlook on how to approach the future of our city. Mayor Price led with initiatives entering her Mayoral Texas, 2015 Public Policy Lonestar Award Recipient Our neighborhoods are the heartbeat of Fort Worth, thinker with a strong moral compass and not afraid to make each with its individual character and fabric. We must pay career and I hope to follow suit in building opportunities to make Fort Worth a better place for all residents. As a lifelong Have you held elective officer before? No the tough decisions.