As Deborah Peoples took the oath of office for City Council Tuesday evening — right hand raised high as she repeated vows to serve Fort Worth with integrity — she spoke with passion, confidence and excitement.
In a few moments, she’d be the voice for District 5 on a dais she’d worked years to secure a seat on.
“I’ve run for many things — you all know that,” Peoples said to the City Council chamber full of supporters who’d gathered to watch new members sworn in following the May 3 election. “I’ve run for mayor twice — (Mayor Mattie Parker) and I have been on the ballot together; I’ve run for county judge.”
She paused.
“But I don’t run for things just to run. I run for things because I love this city.”
Peoples, 72, a retired AT&T executive and former chair of the Tarrant County Democratic Party, assumed her place on City Council May 13. In representing District 5, she will act as the voice for thousands of residents in east Fort Worth, including the historic Stop Six neighborhood. She succeeds longtime Mayor Pro Tem Gyna Bivens, who declined to seek reelection after leading District 5 since 2013.
In Peoples’ race for the open District 5 seat, she secured 2,526 votes, or 54.28% of the vote total, after a campaign focused on attracting economic development, lowering property taxes and strengthening public safety. Her margin of victory was strong enough to avoid the runoff election widely expected in the race for District 5, which attracted six candidates.
“I’m not someone to be feared,” she said at the swearing-in ceremony. “But I am going to be the most amazing champion that y’all have ever seen for District 5.”
Peoples enters council as District 5 faces long-standing concerns about public safety and community demands for improved infrastructure, continued neighborhood revitalization and responsible economic development.
She’ll be the residents’ voice as Fort Worth approaches 1 million residents, plans an $800 million bond proposal, preps to hire a new police chief and forges a new path under City Manager Jay Chapa.
“I would not be standing here today, or sitting here today, if it were not for the collective energy of everybody,” Peoples told the crowd.
Bivens passes torch as incumbents sworn into new terms
Peoples was the sole new face sworn into the 11-member City Council Tuesday evening. She was surrounded by nine incumbents, including the mayor, who were also on the ballot May 3 and secured reelection. City Council terms last two years.
Outgoing District 6 incumbent Jared Williams, who did not run for reelection, stayed seated at the dais.
None of the four candidates running to replace Williams secured more than 50% of votes required for victory, meaning the race is heading for a June 7 runoff election. District 6 represents parts of southwest Fort Worth and the Como community. Residents can see what council district they live in here.
Outgoing member Bivens announced in 2023 that she would not seek another term. During her six-term tenure, Bivens advocated for economic development, championed city investment in struggling neighborhoods and sought to connect senior citizens with resources.
Bivens gave remarks reflecting on her tenure at the council meeting Tuesday. Among her biggest accomplishments, she underscored housing, park and neighborhood investments that Stop Six has seen from the city over the past decade. She also highlighted some of her favorite memories from her tenure and thanked community members who’ve contributed to her leadership.
“The other thing I can tell you is: I’m really glad to be leaving,” she said, earning laughter from the audience. “I’ve been here 12 years. I’m packing my stuff right now.”
Peoples said her love for Fort Worth is what brought her back to the city — her hometown — after living across the country over her long career with AT&T. She chose to live in the Eastside because it’s rich in diversity, nature and “everything that makes life worth living.”
“I am your servant, and while you elected me as a city councilperson, I am your servant,” she said. “I am there to do the things that you want me to do.”
Drew Shaw is a government accountability reporter for the Fort Worth Report. Contact him at [email protected] or @shawlings601.
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