Election News 2021

Key races could impact midterm elections next year

By Texas Metro News Team

For so many, there were obstacles that stood in the way of voting in the Texas Municipal elections, including COVID-19, inclement weather with threats of storms and on the flip side, beautiful weather that many saw as a sign to break out from the captivity of the past 14 months.

Even with a pivotal race that could have serious implications in the 2022 midterm elections; many opted to stay away from the polls.

In some key races, the votes paid off, sending some incumbents home in landslide victories while others braced for the runoff election on June 5.

A race clearly on the minds across the state, was that of the Fort Worth Mayoral race, where long-serving Mayor Betsy Price, announced at the beginning of the year that she would not another term.

After the results started pouring in Texas Democratic Party Chair Gilberto Hinojosa issued the following statement congratulating Deborah Peoples on winning the most votes and advancing to the runoff election.

The former business executive and current chair of the Tarrant County Democratic Party garnered 33 of the vote and will face outgoing Mayor Price’s former Chief of Staff, Mattie Parker, who secured 31%.

“I send my warmest congratulations to Deborah Peoples on her first-place victory in Fort Worth’s mayoral election today,” said Chairman Hinojosa. “Fort Worth could not choose a better leader to represent this great city, and I look forward to supporting Deborah every step of the way as we look toward her runoff election. Deborah leads with vision, compassion, and integrity, and I look forward to seeing the progress she will create on behalf of Fort Worth residents when elected.

“As a business leader and longtime Chair of the Tarrant County Democratic Party, Deborah has worked every day to build a better Texas for all of us. She is a gifted leader who brings people together at every opportunity, and I know that as mayor, she will help build a stronger, more united Fort Worth. Deborah is focused on tackling the most important issues Texans are facing — from fixing our broken criminal justice system to caring for our seniors.

Noting that Ms. Peoples’ success was a testament to the groundswell of Democratic power rising up across Texas, Mr. Hinojosa added, that “her leadership flipped Tarrant County blue in the 2020 presidential election for the first time in recent memory, and that same organizing and dedication has propelled her to today’s victory.”

Ms. Peoples welcomed the support.

“I am grateful to have the support of Chair Hinojosa. Fort Worth’s success is success for our state as a whole, and I am ready to use my 30 years of executive experience and lifetime of service to the community to lead us out of crisis.”

With so many contested races across the state, a couple of others garnered attention, like in Terrell where City of Dallas senior staffer Tonya Derrick was elected to the Terrell. ISD School Board – District 3, with a little help from her long-time friend, awarding winning actor and entertainer Jamie Foxx.

By a three-to-one margin, Ms. Derrick defeated long-time educator Pat Martin, in both ladies’ inaugural run for political office.

City of Dallas, in addition to dealing with controversy; had polling site issues and some over- crowded races with a total of 57 for 14 seats. Not as overwhelming for some as was choosing between 23 candidates seeking to fill the U.S. Congressional seat that became vacant when Congressman Ron Wright died after contracting COVID-19. His widow, Susan Wright, was among the 23 and she garnered a spot in the runoff, against

Looking back West, eyes were on Mansfield as business owner Christie K. Moore attempted to unseat Place 5 incumbent, Julie Short, for a seat on the City Council of the city of 70,000.

While she was not successful, business owner, wife and mother, Moore said campaigning has been a rewarding experience and she is looking forward to working with citizens to make the Mansfield community better.

“They (citizens) want a more diverse leadership and the City Council should have people on the Council who understand business.

As citizens went to the polls, she said she wanted voters to take into consideration her almost 30 years of service, education, community involvement, leadership skills and business acumen, adding that with her in a position of leadership, everyone and “all neighborhoods would have a voice.”

But the election hasn’t been without some hiccups, she admits. In March, she found herself addressing the regular city council meeting regarding claims about who she received campaign funds from and that she was not legally eligible to be on the ballot.

“This has been a race within a race as we have raced back and forth in the courts,” the certified mortician said. “Now we’re racing to the ballot.

Calling the race “somewhat contentious,” Ms. Moore said she has persevered and did not become discouraged over attempts to have her removed from the ballot. “One would not believe how my opponent has tried to subvert the vote and undermine the campaign,” she said. “Diversity is a strength and not a threat.

“You can’t just look to ethnicity as an indicator of diversity, you also have diversity. You have to consider other elements; like age, sex, orientation and geography, if you want to be inclusive and supportive.”

For more coverage, visit www.texasmetronews.com and www.dallasnews.com