Is Fort Worth Mayor Mattie Parker running for Congress? Here’s what she said

A number of names have been floated as possible candidates to replace longtime Fort Worth Republican Rep. Kay Granger.

Granger announced on Nov. 1 she wouldn’t seek re-election after representing Texas’ 12th congressional district for over two decades.

Some had speculated Fort Worth Mayor Mattie Parker would throw her hat into the ring, but Parker put those rumors to bed Tuesday with a single line-post on the social media platform X.

“Press Release: I am not running for Congress. The End,” Parker wrote.

Parker won a second term as Fort Worth’s mayor in May earning 69.4% of the vote. She focused her campaign on public safety and improving quality of life for Fort Worth residents.

Two other potential candidates to replace Granger also took their names out of the running this week.

State Rep. Nate Schatzline and Tarrant County Commissioner Manny Ramirez released statements thanking supporters for urging them to run for the congressional seat. However, both stressed they are focused on fulfilling the commitments of their elected offices.

So far State Rep. Craig Goldman and businessman John O’Shea have announced they plan to run in the Republican Party primary.

Trey Hunt, who ran unsuccessfully against Granger in the November 2022 general election, plans to run in the Democratic Party primary he said in an email to the Star-Telegram.

The filing period for Congress runs from Nov. 11 to Dec. 11. Primaries are March 5.