Mattie Parker Bio
Mattie Parker, born Mattie Jean Pearcy on November 9, 1983, is an American politician, businesswoman, and attorney who serves as the 45th mayor of Fort Worth, Texas. A member of the Republican Party, she is the youngest mayor among the 25 largest cities in the United States and the first millennial to lead Fort Worth. Parker is recognized for her focus on education equity, infrastructure improvements, and economic development in one of Texas’s most populous cities.
Since taking office, Parker has prioritized securing federal resources for major projects and supporting workforce pathways for local students. She has built her career around public service, legal practice, and nonprofit leadership, and she continues to influence civic life across Tarrant County.
Early Life and Background
Mattie Parker was born and raised in Hico, a small community located about 80 miles southwest of Fort Worth. She graduated from Hico High School in 2002 and went on to earn a Bachelor of Arts in Government from the University of Texas at Austin in 2006. Her early years in a rural Texas town shaped her interest in public policy and community leadership.
During her junior year at the University of Texas, Parker joined the office of then-Texas House Speaker Tom Craddick as a press assistant. After graduation, she became Craddick’s deputy press secretary and later his executive assistant, gaining firsthand experience in legislative operations. She also worked as a page in the Texas House of Representatives during her college years, an early step that introduced her to state government.
Parker later returned to her studies at the Texas Wesleyan University School of Law, where she earned a Juris Doctor in 2012. She was admitted to the State Bar of Texas in 2013 and was a recipient of the MacLean & Boulware Endowed Law Scholarship. As a law student, she managed the campaign of U.S. Representative Kay Granger, the first Republican woman to represent Texas in Congress and Fort Worth’s first female mayor, deepening her ties to North Texas politics.
Path to US Politics
Parker’s entry into US politics began in the Texas Legislature, where she served as legislative director and chief of staff to State Representative Phil King, a Republican from Weatherford, between 2007 and 2010. Following that role, she joined the staff of U.S. Representative Kay Granger, first managing her campaign and later becoming her district director in 2012. These positions provided Parker with a strong foundation in both state and federal political operations.
In 2014, Parker left congressional work to practice law as an associate attorney at Harris, Finley & Bogle, P.C. She later transitioned to municipal government in 2015, when she was appointed Chief of Staff for the mayor of Fort Worth and the city council, a role she held for five years. In April 2020, she became the founding chief executive officer of Fort Worth Cradle to Career, a nonprofit organization, and the Tarrant To & Through (T3) Partnership, focused on increasing the number of Tarrant County students who earn a postsecondary credential.
Her nonprofit leadership and deep experience in Fort Worth government positioned her to run for mayor in 2021. Parker stepped away from the CEO role in July 2021 following her election victory, though she continues to serve on the board of directors of these education-focused organizations.
Mattie Parker Career
Early Career (2006–2014)
After completing her undergraduate studies in 2006, Parker spent several years working in the Texas Legislature, including service in the office of Speaker Tom Craddick. She served in roles that ranged from press assistant to executive assistant, building a strong understanding of legislative procedure and communication strategy.
She later worked for State Representative Phil King as both legislative director and chief of staff, followed by a transition to federal politics with U.S. Representative Kay Granger. Parker’s career in this period combined legal training with practical political experience, setting the stage for her move into Fort Worth’s city government.
Fort Worth Mayoral Run and Election (2021)
Parker launched her campaign for mayor of Fort Worth in January 2021, shortly after longtime mayor Betsy Price announced she would not seek a sixth term. She received endorsements from Price, billionaire Sid Bass, and other prominent figures in Fort Worth’s business and philanthropic communities. Although she has a long history with the Republican Party, she followed Price’s approach of running a nonpartisan campaign.
In the general election on May 1, 2021, Parker placed second with 30.82% of the vote, advancing to a runoff against Deborah Peoples, the Tarrant County Democratic Party chair. The June 5, 2021, runoff drew the highest early voter turnout in a Fort Worth mayor’s race in at least a decade, attracting attention from across Texas because of Fort Worth’s standing among the few large Texas cities with Republican leadership. Parker won the runoff with 53.5% of the vote, raising and spending more than $1.98 million during the campaign, a record for Fort Worth mayoral races. She was sworn in on June 14, 2021.
Mayoral Tenure (2021–Present)
Since taking office, Parker has made education and school reform central to her administration. She has worked to address inequities across Fort Worth’s twelve school districts and contributed to the hiring of a new Fort Worth Independent School District superintendent. Her efforts through Fort Worth Cradle to Career and the T3 Partnership have continued to support local students seeking postsecondary credentials.
Parker has also focused on major infrastructure initiatives. She secured a $400 million federal allocation for the Central City Flood Control Project, a federal initiative designed to prevent flooding in downtown Fort Worth. Additionally, she worked with the Texas Blockchain Council to make Fort Worth the first city in the United States to mine bitcoin, signaling the city’s interest in emerging technology industries.
Voters returned Parker to office in 2023 and again in 2025, reflecting continued support for her leadership. Fort Worth mayors serve two-year terms, and Parker’s successive re-elections have allowed her to build on her early policy priorities.
Notable Events and Milestones
Parker’s victory in 2021 made her the youngest mayor among the 25 largest cities in the United States and the first millennial to serve as mayor of Fort Worth. Her re-elections in 2023 and 2025 underscore her political durability in a growing metropolitan area. Securing $400 million in federal funding for the Central City Flood Control Project stands as one of the most significant infrastructure achievements of her tenure.
Mattie Parker Career Wins
Mattie Parker’s career in politics and public service includes three consecutive wins in Fort Worth mayoral elections, beginning with her 2021 runoff victory and continuing with re-elections in 2023 and 2025. Her successes reflect a combination of legislative experience, nonprofit leadership, and broad community support across partisan lines.
Fort Worth Mayoral Wins
Parker first won public office through the June 5, 2021, runoff, capturing 53.5% of the vote against Deborah Peoples after a competitive general election. She followed that win with successful re-election campaigns in 2023 and 2025, extending her leadership of Fort Worth into a second and third term. Her first victory was historic, making her the youngest mayor of any of the 25 largest U.S. cities at the time.
Other Wins and Achievements
Beyond electoral victories, Parker has achieved major policy milestones, including the federal allocation of $400 million for the Central City Flood Control Project and the launch of Fort Worth’s first municipal bitcoin mining operation in partnership with the Texas Blockchain Council. Her leadership of Fort Worth Cradle to Career and the T3 Partnership has expanded educational and workforce opportunities for Tarrant County students.
Mattie Parker Family
Family Background and Personal Life
Mattie Parker is married to David Parker, a registered lobbyist and director at North Texas Governmental Affairs Operations. The couple has three children, two sons and one daughter. Parker has spoken about the role of family in shaping her commitment to public service and the well-being of Fort Worth’s next generation.