Mattie Parker was sworn in as Fort Worth’s new mayor on June 15, replacing Betsy Price and becoming one of the country’s youngest mayors for a major American city, according to a report by NBCDFW.
Parker, a 37-year-old attorney and mother of two, defeated her opponent Deborah Peoples in a runoff election on June 5 with 54% of the vote, according to a report by the Dallas Express.
“Thank you, Fort Worth,” Parker stated on her Twitter. “Now the real work begins, as we build on our momentum to move Fort Worth forward, it’s go time!”
Parker previously served as chief of staff to former Mayor Betsy Price, who is now running for Tarrant County Judge.
“I take the torch with respect and appreciation for the leaders before me and excitement for what is to come,” Parker said in an interview with the Dallas Express. “From the very beginning of the election, comments were made about how someone my age or a mom with young kids couldn’t possibly be mayor, and my response was always – watch me!”
Parker also promised to work for the city to win the respect of all Fort Worth citizens in her victory address.
“I will attack problems, not people,” said during an evening ceremony at the Fort Worth Convention Center. “My door is always open. Let’s listen to common sense and find common ground together.”
Parker and Peoples were clear frontrunners in the general election, earning over 20,000 votes each in the first election, despite a once-crowded lineup of 10 candidates.
Additionally, Parker was joined by four new council members who were also sworn in, resulting in a considerably younger and more liberal set of leaders.
The other council members sworn in on June 15 were Jared Williams, Leonard Firestone, Elizabeth Beck and Chris Nettles.