Following the conclusion of the June 5 mayoral race for Fort Worth, Mattie Parker will succeed current Mayor Betsy Price.
Price took to social media to congratulate Parker on her win.
“I am proud to congratulate Mattie Parker for earning the people of Fort Worth’s votes and being elected the 45th mayor of Fort Worth,” Price wrote in a tweet.
Price also released a statement saying that she believes Parker will continue to work to build Fort Worth while maintaining the city’s unique history.
“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 maintaining the unique history and spirit that makes Fort Worth such a special place,” Price said in a statement, as reported by WFFA.
Parker will act as Fort Worth’s first millennial mayor, as Price had held the office for a decade, according to WFAA. Parker beat out opponent Deborah Peoples in “a close race.”
“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,” Peoples said in a statement about her loss, as reported by WFAA.
Parker, who is 37 years old, will assume the office from her old boss as Price’s protégé and was endorsed by Gov. Greg Abbott.
Parker is the founding CEO of Fort Worth Cradle to Career and the Tarrant To & Through (T3) Partnership that works to ensure more students have needed training to go into the workforce, an About Mattie Parker webpage said.
Parker is married with one daughter and two sons. She graduated from the University of Texas at Austin with a bachelor’s degree in government and holds a law degree from Texas A&M University School of Law.
She currently also serves on the board for The Gatehouse’s Legacy Early Learning Academy, Read Fort Worth, Operation Progress – Fort Worth and ACH Child and Family Services.