FORT WORTH, Texas — During a teary address to his fellow judges on the Tarrant County commissioners court, County Judge Glen Whitley announced he would not seek reelection in 2022. Whitley has been in the seat since 2007 and on the Commissioners Court since 1997. During his speech, he heaped effusive praise on the outgoing mayor and fellow Republican, Betsy Price.

What You Need To Know

  • Last week, County Judge Glen Whitley announced he would not seek reelection in 2022

  • Whitley has been in the seat since 2007 and on the Commissioners Court since 1997

  • A few days after his announcement, outgoing Fort Worth Mayor Betsy Price said she would seek to replace Whitley

  • If elected, she would be the county’s first female judge

A few days later, Price ended rampant local speculation when she announced she would be running to replace him.

“With the news of Glen’s retirement, I announce my intent to run for Tarrant County Judge. Not only do I have the fire and passion to continue serving the good people of our county, but my decades of business and public servant experience — both as Tarrant County Tax Assessor and Mayor of Fort Worth — make me an ideal and qualified candidate for this position critical to both our present and future,” she said in a statement.

If elected, she would be the county’s first female judge.

Price described herself as a “strong, conservative and compassionate leader” who brings people together to get things done. In the coming months, the longest-tenured mayor in Fort Worth’s history said she will work with elected leaders and county business owners to find innovative solutions that protect taxpayers, make neighborhoods safe and grow our economy with quality jobs, she said in her statement.

She will make a “more formal and official announcement in the coming months” to kick her campaign off. Price served as Fort Worth’s mayor since 2011 and was the Tarrant County tax assessor for 10 years before running for mayor.

Her former chief of staff, Mattie Parker, won the runoff to replace Price on Saturday, defeating Deborah Peoples, outgoing chair of the county Democratic Party.

Price boasts endorsements from Whitley, Arlington Mayor Jeff Williams, North Richland Hills Mayor Oscar Trevino, former Southlake Mayors John Terrell and Laura Hill, and Republican leader Mona Bailey.

“I enthusiastically endorse Betsy Price as the next County Judge,” Whitley said. “She is smart, hard-working and conservative — the perfect fit for Tarrant County.”

Her announcement has been met by the local political cognoscenti with equal parts joy and cynicism — depending on their position on the political spectrum.

In a Facebook thread about Price’s run, comments ranged from outrage to wry humor, including barbs such as, “I guess she’s spent enough time with her grandchildren [her stated reason for opting not to run for reelection as mayor],” as well as, “This was decided in a smokey back room months ago,” and “This is a step backwards for Tarrant County.”

Price’s opponent for the March primary will be Tim O’Hare, the former Tarrant County Republican chairperson, former mayor of Farmers Branch, and founder of the Southlake Families PAC, who announced his candidacy last month. O’Hare has support from Allen West, outgoing Republican Party of Texas Chair, Tarrant County Sheriff Bill Waybourn, Tarrant County District Clerk Tom Wilder, former Tarrant County Commissioner Andy Nguyen, Tarrant GOP chair Rick Barnes, and several state representatives.

Democrats have not yet announced a candidate.

The general election for Tarrant County Judge will be held on Nov. 8, 2022, with a primary to be held on March 1, 2022.