Fort Worth Mayor Betsy Price is considering whether to seek re-election. If Price, who was first elected in 2011, chooses against another mayoral campaign, here are some of the people who might jump into the race for the open seat and how that could affect other council districts in the city.
MAYOR: Who’s Definitely In if Price is out
Brian Byrd, Fort Worth City Council, District 3: “The person most qualified to be mayor in our city is Betsy Price, but if she does not run for reelection I will be in the mayor’s race this May,” Byrd says.
MAYOR: Who’s Expected to Be In
Dee Kelly Jr., partner Kelly Hart
Kelly is widely expected to run if the seat is open. Monday, he deferred to the mayor. “She’s my friend, and I want to respect her timing on whatever announcement she chooses to make.”
Deborah Peoples, chairman, Tarrant County Democratic Party. Ran against Price in 2019, has told other media outlets she may run again. Monday, she posted "I'm running!" on her Facebook page. Could not be reached for further comment.
MAYOR: Noodling
State Rep. Ramon Romero, Jr., District 90. Romero says's he's on the fence, making it clear he could come off the fence if he garnered the sort of business support he had in his unsuccessful 2012 run for the Fort Worth City Council District 8 seat now held by Kelly Allen Gray. Much of that support could be absorbed by Kelly. "I've had many friends who've asked me this question," he said in an interview Monday. "I'm leaving it open, but it's not something I'm seeking right now."
Ann Zadeh, Fort Worth City Council District 9. “There is a lot uncertainty about what Betsy is going to do, but it is fair to say I am considering all the potential options. I originally ran for the council because I believed I had something to offer the city and the citizens of Fort Worth. People have suggested to me that we might accomplish even more as mayor, so that election is an option I am seriously considering.”
FORT WORTH CITY COUNCIL DISTRICT 3
Who’s in if Byrd is Out:
Michael Crain, District 3 director to Byrd, real estate broker and entrepreneur, former chief of staff at the U.S. Embassy in Beijing under President George W. Bush. “The mayor’s news is the mayor’s news, and I don’t want to usurp that.” If Byrd vacates the District 3 seat to run for mayor, Crain, Byrd’s director for four years, said in an interview he will seek election to it. “I know the neighborhoods, I know the streets, I know where the potholes are, and I am ready to continue to work on the issues of District 3.”
FORT WORTH CITY COUNCIL DISTRICT 7
Dennis Shingleton, incumbent. Shingleton, elected to the City Council 10 years ago, is not expected to seek re-election. “I’m waffling a bit, but chances are good that I will probably not run,” he said in an interview Monday.
Who’s in if Shingleton Doesn’t Run:
Leonard Firestone, entrepreneur. Firestone, who founded the Firestone & Robertson Distilling Co. with partner Troy Robertson before the two sold the company in September 2019, confirmed he will seek election to Shingleton’s seat, if Shingleton doesn’t seek re-election. Firestone, a member of the Visit Fort Worth board and Mayor Price’s Fort Worth Now COVID-19 business task force, said in an interview he wants to help businesses that are struggling because of virus-related impact.
“I’ve lived in the District for about 20 years, and know a lot of people and have worked with a lot of businesses,” Firestone said, adding he formed much of his perspective during the year as he served on the task force. “A lot of these businesses are hurting. I’d like to see if can play a role in it.”