Mattie Parker Spent Nearly $2 Million to Campaign for Fort Worth Mayor, a $29,000 Per Year Job

Fort Worth Mayor Mattie Parker raised and spent nearly $2 million on her campaign, a figure that smashes any previous expenditure for a Fort Worth mayoral candidate.

The city pays the mayor $29,000 per year.

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Parker's final campaign finance report filed Thursday, combined with previous disclosures, shows she spent $1,984,471 total in the general election and the runoff against former Tarrant County Democratic Chair Deborah Peoples.

Parker, one-time chief of staff to former Mayor Betsy Price, overcame little name recognition to win her first campaign for public office.

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According to the report, Parker received sizable donations from the police and fire associations and billionaire John Goff, as well as the Good Government Fund, a political action committee controlled by the billionaire Bass family.

Among Parker's largest expenses were to Mayes Media Group for advertising.

Mattie Parker 2

Mattie Parker 2

Parker noted many of her donations came in smaller amounts too, that she raised no money from outside Texas, and that there was a large turnout.

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"I ran an intentionally non-partisan campaign," Parker said, explaining she didn't target her advertising to specific groups. "It does cost more money."

Parker said she didn't know if the money made a difference in getting elected, adding, "It's important to reach people."

Parker received 47,283 votes in the June 5 runoff election.

By comparison, Peoples spent $805,763 and received 41,012 votes.