Fort Worth (1080 KRLD) - Fort Worth will have a new mayor later this month, and her name is Mattie Parker.
In Saturday's runoff election, Parker defeated Deborah Peoples, 54%-46%, to become the new mayor of Fort Worth.
Parker will succeed Betsy Price, who opted not to run for a record-extending sixth two-year term.
"I will work tirelessly to earn your respect and your confidence in the coming months and years with my actions, not just my words," Parker told her supporters in her victory speech.
With all vote centers reporting their totals, Parker outpolled Peoples, 47,283-41,012, for a victory margin of 6,271 votes.
The outgoing Mayor Price, who endorsed Parker from the outset of the campaign, congratulated her successor.
"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," Price said in a statement Saturday night. "The new voice and fresh perspective Mattie brings to the table will be invaluable on the Fort Worth City Council."
Parker also got congratulations from Gov. Abbott.
"Mattie is a true leader who will fight to build a safer and more prosperous future for the people of Fort Worth," Abbott said in a statement.
At 37, Parker will become the youngest mayor in Fort Worth's history.
Two incumbent Fort Worth council members voted out
A new mayor won't be the only change at City Hall.
The two incumbent council members who were extended to runoffs on May 1 both lost.
In District 8, in a rematch of a race two years ago, Chris Nettles flipped the script and defeated Kelly Allen Gray.
This was Nettles' third run for office in Fort Worth, having lost to Price in the mayor’s race in 2017.
In District 6, Jared Williams defeated Jungus Jordan.
The returns in the District 6 race were close throughout the night Saturday, with Williams surpassing Jordan as the last vote centers reported their results.
In District 7, Leonard Firestone defeated Zeb Pent; and in District 9, Elizabeth Beck defeated Fernando Peralta.
Firestone will succeed Dennis Shingleton, who opted not to seek re-election; and Beck replaces Ann Zadeh, who unsuccessfully ran for mayor.
With those results, along with Michael Crain's win in District 3 on May 1st, that leaves Carlos Flores, Cary Moon and Gyna Bivens as the only returning Fort Worth council members.
Parker and the new council members will take office on June 15.
Jim Ross elected mayor of Arlington
Voters in Arlington also selected a new mayor, and political newcomer Jim Ross defeated former councilman Michael Glaspie in Saturday's runoff.
Like the race in Fort Worth, the spread was 54%-46%.
Almost 21,000 ballots were cast in the Arlington mayoral race.
The margin was somewhat closer than what many has expected since Ross got 47% to Glaspie's 21% in the May general election.
Ross came 810 votes shy of winning the election outright on May 1.
Ross will succeed Jeff Williams, who was unable to run for a fourth two-year term, thanks to Arlington's new term limits law.
Also in Arlington, Nikkie Hunter defeated Diana Saleh in the District 3 runoff.
Ross and Hunter will both be sworn in on June 29.
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