25-05-2025
Voter guide for Tarrant County runoff elections on June 7
For most of Tarrant County, the local election season is over. Yet in Forest Hill, Fort Worth, Grand Prairie, Kennedale and Mansfield, there's one seat that has gone to a runoff election.
For those five Tarrant city councils, there was one race in which no one candidate won over 50% of the votes. So, on June 7, the top two candidates will face off.
Early voting starts on Tuesday, May 27, and runs through Tuesday, June 3. Visit the Tarrant County Election Administration for early voting and Election Day polling places.
Here's what will be on the ballot and what each candidate promises:
In the May 3 election, Brigette Matthis drew in 46.78% of the 838 votes and Keith R. Smith wrangled 41.77%. The third candidate, Willie Glaster got 11.46%. Matthis and Smith will be running against each other in the runoff.
Brigette Mathis: Mathis's Facebook page touts that 'it's time for truth and action' and that with Mathis, you can 'be the change.' The page says that residents' safety is her No. 1 priority and that she will talk about the issues the other council members ignore. Examples posted on Mathis's Facebook page include a shortage of police officers, high crime, low morale among current officers, and unqualified, overpaid city officials.
Mathis wants to bring integrity and transparency back into the city of Forest Hill. She said in one video that by solving the safety issue, bringing economic growth into the city would be made easier.
Keith R. Smith: The incumbent, Smith was elected to the City Council in 2022 and selected as mayor pro tem. According to his biography on the city's website, Smith has focused on literacy for all ages in his 35 plus years as an educator. In his 2022 campaign, he ran 'with a vision of serving the children of our community,' according to his biography.
Though he does not have a candidate Facebook page of his own, Forest Hill Mayor Stephanie Boardingham posted that Smith has brought 'unity and great leadership' to the community. Boardingham said Smith supports her as mayor and the rest of the council, unlike the alternative.
On May 3, Mia Hall was the front-runner with 46.80% of the 4,966 votes. Daryl R. Davis received 28.49%, Marshall Hobbs 21.57% and Adrian Devine Smith 3.14% of the ballots. Hall and Davis will be on the runoff ballot.
Daryl R. Davis: Previously the Crowley school board president, Davis says on his campaign website that he will fight for the community's best interest and will continue to prioritize 'transparency, efficiency, accountability and results.'
Davis is the executive pastor of Inspiring Temple of Praise Church and the vice president of workforce development at UpSpire, a nonprofit focused on helping people overcome barriers to employment.
He said in a Star-Telegram survey that his focus as a council member would be 'on policies that make life better for the people who live, work and are educated here in District 6—keeping neighborhoods safe, helping families keep more of what they earn, and ensuring that growth benefits the community.'
Mia Hall: Hall's website boasts her dedication to service in Fort Worth as a former FWISD principal, former Girls Inc. of Tarrant County board member and current member of the United Way of Tarrant County board. She is a Crowley school board member and previously served on the Fort Worth Zoning Commission.
Her priorities as a council member would be to keep neighborhoods safe, improve roads and infrastructure, enhance city services, champion education and foster economic development.
In Kennedale, Kenneth Michels garnered 47.89% of the 760 votes. Amanda Hollins had 38.55% and Ryon Ray had 13.55%. Michels and Hollins will meet again on the June 7 ballot.
Amanda Hollins: With 15 years in law enforcement, Hollins's vision for Kennedale includes strengthening community infrastructure, supporting local businesses, enhancing organizational efficiency, empowering future leaders, and advocating for ethical leadership.
Hollins is the president-elect of the East Fort Worth Business Association and the chief operating officer of the nonprofit Cars for Kids. With a commitment to being a voice for the whole community, Hollins said she aims to bring a business-minded, citizen-focused approach to City Council.
Kenneth Michels: Elected to City Council in 2022, Michels is a retired Kennedale firefighter. Before joining the City Council, he regularly attended council meetings and was a member of Keep Kennedale Beautiful Committee, Kennedale Parks Board, two Charter Planning Committees and the Utility and Infrastructure Board. He is also an active volunteer in the community.
Michels's priorities as a council member are economic development, infrastructure improvements, the maintenance and safety of parks, and continually improving his ability to serve the community.
Melisa Perez received 39.79% of the 8,289 votes in the Mansfield Precinct 5 election. Right behind her, Todd A. Simmons received 35.58%. The two will face off again in the runoff election on June 7. The other two candidates, Lance Hood and Eric Rozak got 15.57% and 9.06% of the votes.
Melisa Perez: A lifelong Mansfield resident, Perez is running on the pillars of ensuring responsible growth, strengthening public safety and supporting local businesses, according to her website.
Perez has served Mansfield in a number of capacities, but namely in the realms of economic development and community and faith-based service. Her vision for Mansfield is to guide the city's long-term growth with thoughtful planning, execution and effective communication with all stakeholders.
Todd A. Simmons: Simmons, a financial adviser, has involved himself in the Mansfield community through his church, on Mansfield school district committees and on the Methodist Mansfield Medical Center Advisory Board, according to his response to a Star-Telegram survey.
Simmons also said his priorities would be to fully evaluate any project proposed for fiscal and community impact; strive for diversifying Mansfield's tax base and continue to lower the tax rate; ensure the public safety and municipal employees are earning a competitive salary.
