FORT WORTH, Texas Editor’s note: The video above aired before Election Day.
The ballots from the June 5 runoff election are in and for the first time in a decade, Fort Worth has elected a new mayor.
After a close race, Deborah Peoples conceded Saturday night, making 37-year-old Mattie Parker the first millennial mayor.
Originally, 10 candidates threw their hats in the race for Cowtown’s next mayor after longtime Mayor Betsy Price announced she would not seek re-election.
The two favorites — Deborah Peoples and Mattie Parker — beat out the other candidates to make it to the runoff.
After the election results Peoples released the following statement:
“From the beginning, this campaign has been about building One Fort Worth.
While one night’s results may not have been what we wanted, the historic turnout sent a clear message that voters are crying out for leaders who accept Texans of all backgrounds, races, and walks of life.
I will continue the fight to give more communities a seat at the table, expand prosperity to all our neighborhoods, and elect leaders who truly represent all the people.”
Parker is a former top aide to Price and was endorsed by Texas Gov. Greg Abbott.
Saturday night Gov. Abbott sent out a congratulatory tweet to Parker.
Congratulations to @MattieParker12 for becoming the next Mayor of Fort Worth!
Mattie is going to be a great leader for the people of Fort Worth. Shes going to help every part of the city thrive and prosper. pic.twitter.com/lr5FbYTFns
— Texans for Abbott (@AbbottCampaign) June 6, 2021
Current mayor Betsy Price also congratulated Parker and released the following statement:
Mattie undoubtedly has the heart for service and the head for policy that we need leading Fort Worth during this time of rapid growth and change. The new voice and fresh perspective Mattie brings to the table will be invaluable on the Fort Worth City Council. I am confident that she and this council will continue to work together to build for the future of Fort Worth with innovation and intention, while maintain the unique history and spirit that makes Fort Worth such a special place.
RELATED: Fort Worth voters to choose between first millennial mayor or first minority mayor
On Friday, Fort Worth Star-Telegram columnist Bud Kennedy said it’s a very interesting time in Fort Worth.
“It’s really a showdown between a couple of women who will each mark a change as mayor,” he explained. “One, the first millennial mayor if she’s elected, the other, the first minority mayor.”
Kennedy said a lot is at stake as Fort Worth is now officially the 12th largest city in the nation, and council districts will be redrawn under the new mayor’s leadership.
Election records show more than 47,000 Fort Worth residents already voted early in-person in the run-off, up from about 33,000 early in-person voters in May.
