Candidates in Southwest Fort Worth runoff debate highlight past achievements and upcoming agendas
In the upcoming June 7 runoff election, the race for Fort Worth's District 6 City Council seat focuses on responsible growth, resident engagement, and public safety. As early voting commenced on May 27, candidates Daryl Davis II and Mia Hall faced off in a discussion about their vision for the district, which encompasses much of southwest Fort Worth and the historically Black neighborhood of Como.
The District 6 runoff is significant, as it will fill the vacant seat on the 11-member council, following a May 3 election that saw all spots up for grabs. Nine incumbents snagged reelection, while Deborah Peoples earned a decisive victory in the packed District 5 race in east Fort Worth.
Davis, age 43, and Hall, 47, secured the two leading positions in the District 6 race, with Hall garnering 46.8% of the votes and Davis claiming 28.5%. With neither candidate reaching the 50% threshold, a runoff was triggered.
Voters in Fort Worth can locate their City Council district here, while early voting for the runoff election takes place from May 27 through June 3.
Throughout the forum, both candidates argued that their extensive resumes and past experiences make them ideal candidates to succeed incumbent council member Jared Williams, who stepped down from seeking a third term in January. Both candidates emphasized the importance of politics, leadership, and business acumen to tackle issues like crime prevention, responsible growth, and infrastructure development at City Hall.
You can replay the forum in its entirety below, or follow links to specific questions:
- Opening statements
- Strategies for accommodating economic and infrastructure growth with population growth, particularly in the district
- Green space preservation
- Plans to lower youth gun violence, building on council member Williams' initiatives
- Addressing Como residents' concerns while representing Southwest Fort Worth
- Budget adoption process and protecting residents' interests
- Traffic safety issues and solutions
- Fitting into the current diversity of interests, ideologies, and backgrounds on the council
- Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in municipal government
- Redistricting efforts in Tarrant County
- Ensuring District Six residents feel heard, respected, and considered
- LGBTQ+ rights and promoting safety and inclusivity
- Closing remarks
District Growth and Development
Whoever wins the District 6 runoff will join City Council as Fort Worth approaches the 1 million resident mark and inches closer to becoming the 10th largest city in the country. The rapid growth brings multiple challenges to the district, which has witnessed the expansion of subdivisions on previously undeveloped land in recent years.
Davis expressed a desire to prioritize listening to residents' concerns as City Hall considers new developments and zoning cases. He promised to consistently meet with constituents door-to-door and host listening sessions to incorporate community voices into new developments. "It doesn't make sense to me that we have rooftops before we have roads," Davis said. "We've got to make sure that we make some critical investments in infrastructure."
Hall, with her experience as Williams' appointee to the zoning commission from 2022 to 2024, stated that she is equipped to work with developers while maintaining community engagement as the foundation of all solutions. She listed new traffic lights, grocery stores, and road improvements as three projects requiring collaboration with outside organizations and identified herself as the district's ambassador and advocate to bring these projects to fruition.
When questioned about building on Williams' efforts to protect green spaces in the district, Hall once again highlighted her zoning commission experience. There, she learned that environmental protections were a top priority for residents, and she feels confident she knows how to voice those concerns to colleagues and developers.
Davis expressed a desire to ensure new communities are well-planned and prioritize protecting parks and waterways.
Public Safety
Both candidates highlighted education as crucial to curbing youth gun violence. Davis emphasized that addressing gun violence encompasses prevention, education, community partnerships, and accountability. He proposed investing in youth programs and mental health services to prevent crime before it happens, in addition to working with community activists dedicated to reducing street violence.
Hall agreed on partnerships between community organizations and government being essential to preventing crime. She stressed her ability to lead collaborative initiatives like the One Second Collaborative, an outreach program focused on stopping youth violence. Hall also underscored the importance of involving school districts in efforts to combat youth gun violence.
Both candidates have expressed concerns about recent traffic safety incidents in the Crowley ISD district. Davis stated that the issue of street safety is near and dear, as he has been vocal about the importance of transit and pedestrian safety since the incidents. He deemed responsible neighborhood development essential, emphasizing the necessity of creating safe sidewalks and intersections.
Hall acknowledged that the recent accidents were tragic and highlighted the need for consistency in roads and better education about traffic circles and speed mitigation. She emphasized the importance of fitting street improvements into city budget discussions and stated she is equipped to lead those efforts.
Council Leadership and Cooperation
Both candidates declared themselves experienced leaders with the ability to work effectively with diverse groups, such as City Council. Davis emphasized his background as a pastor, nonprofit executive, and school board president, citing his ability to navigate disagreements while standing firmly on his principles.
Hall, who has served as a school board member since 2015 and has experience on Fort Worth's zoning commission, said she is adept at being courteous and professional, even when faced with personal attacks. She also expressed eagerness to learn from more experienced council members and collaborate productively on initiatives.
Residents who did not cast a ballot in the May 3 election are still eligible to vote in the June 7 runoff. Voters can find polling site information here.
Candidates: Daryl Davis II and Mia Hall
Daryl Davis II
Key Issues: Public safety, lowering fees for residents, and infrastructure development
- Occupation: President of Crowley ISD's school board, Executive at UpSpire (social enterprise connecting people experiencing homelessness with employment opportunities), Executive Pastor of Inspiring Temple of Praise Church in Fort Worth
- Education: Master's in educational leadership, bachelor's in business management
Davis resides in the Summer Creek Ranch neighborhood near the south border of District 6 and is endorsed by incumbent Jared Williams, County Commissioner Roderick Miles Jr., and the Tarrant County Central Labor Council.
In 2019, Davis ran for City Council in District 6 but lost to Jungus Jordan by a significant margin in a three-candidate race.
Mia Hall
Key Issues: Public safety, infrastructure improvement, and city services
- Occupation: Member and previous president of Crowley ISD's school board, Executive Director of Strategic Recruitment at Fort Worth ISD, Board member of United Way of Tarrant County, previous member of Fort Worth's zoning commission
- Education: Doctorate in education, master's in education, bachelor's degree in political science
Hall dwells in the south end of District 6 in the Stone Meadow development and has endorsements from County Commissioner Alisa Simmons, former Mayor Betsy Price, and City Council member Chris Nettles, according to her campaign website. In 2024, she ran as a Democratic candidate for Precinct 1 county commissioner but was defeated in the March primary election.
Drew Shaw is a government accountability reporter for the Fort Worth Report. Contact him at [email protected] or @shawlings601.
- The upcoming District 6 runoff election will fill the vacant seat on Fort Worth's City Council, as the city approaches the 1 million resident mark and strives to become the 10th largest city in the country.
- Daryl Davis II, one of the candidates contesting the District 6 runoff, emphasizes the importance of infrastructure development, exemplified by his advocacy for critical investments in roads and safe sidewalks.
- Mia Hall, another candidate in the District 6 runoff contest, prioritizes community engagement, particularly in the realm of environmental protections, by engaging community voices and emphasizing the need for new traffic lights, grocery stores, and road improvements.
- Both candidates in the District 6 runoff agree on the significance of education as a means to combat youth gun violence, with Daryl Davis II proposing investments in youth programs and mental health services and Mia Hall advocating for collaborative initiatives with community organizations and school districts.
- In Fort Worth's District 6 runoff election, residents can expect two candidates with extensive leadership experience, such as Daryl Davis II as a pastor, school board president, and non-profit executive, and Mia Hall as a school board member and board member of United Way of Tarrant County, vying for the council seat with a focus on public safety, infrastructure development, and community engagement.
