Another huge change coming in Tarrant County government is on the horizon, as Tarrant County Judge Glen Whitley will not be running for reelection next year.
"This morning, I announced that I would not be seeking reelection for county judge," Whitley said at the outset of this morning's Commissioners Court meeting. "It has been one of my greatest honors of life to serve this county, especially to do so alongside my fellow commissioners, and I'm proud of all that we have accomplished together to make Tarrant County among the most innovative and collaborative counties in this nation."
Whitley has served on the commissioners court since 1997, and he was first elected county judge in 2006.
When launching his re-election bid to a fourth four-year term, Whitley said he knew at that time that that could be it.
This morning, Whitley made it official.
"When I decided to run in 2017, I pretty much decided that that was going to be my last run for county judge, but one never knows," Whitley said. "And after talking with fellow leaders and friends and most importantly my family, I have decided that now is the time to prepare for the next chapter of my life."
As he addressed his decision, Whitley's voice started trailing as he talked about how he and his wife moved to Tarrant County 45 years ago.
"We've raised our family in Tarrant County, and started my business, Whitley Penn, in Tarrant County. And we will continue to serve Tarrant County for all of the remainder of my term and in the next chapter of my life."
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The office of Tarrant County judge is not up for election until November of next year; and until then, Whitley said the job is not done yet.
"I still have a year and a half of my term left," Whitley said. "We have plenty of work to do. But I wanted to take a minute this morning to acknowledge my announcement, and I appreciate all of the support that everybody has given me during the 26 years that I will have had an opportunity to serve on this court."
Whitley's announcement comes at a time of political upheaval in Tarrant County, with new mayors being sworn in in its two biggest cities, Fort Worth and Arlington, later this month.
One of those outgoing mayors, Betsy Price, released a statement expressing her gratitude to Whitley.
"Through significant growth and change, Tarrant County has thrived," Mayor Price said in a statement. "That’s a credit to Judge Whitley's vision, wise counsel and the passion and tenacity he brings to the job every day. In so many ways, Tarrant County, and our region, is a better place to live and work today than when we first elected him to preside as Judge. He’s given so much to our community, and for that we are grateful."
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