Tarrant County administration building
Madeleine Cook
Star-Telegram
Three Democrats are on the primary ballot for Tarrant County commissioner in Precinct 4. The winner in the March 3 primary will advance to the November election and will challenge Republican Manny Ramirez.
Here are the Democrats’ responses to the Star-Telegram’s candidate questionnaire, in the order they’ll appear on your ballot.
Cedric Kanyinda
Age (as of March 3): 41
Campaign website: www.votecedric.com
Best way for voters to reach you: twitter, Instagram, Facebook, website, Gmail (votecedric@gmail.com), TikTok
Occupation: Business Owner
Education: Master of Business Administration from Texas Woman’s University, Master of Science in Financial Engineering from WorldQuant University, Bachelor of Science in Biology from Texas Woman’s University, High School Diploma from MacArthur High School ( Irving, Texas)
Have you run for elected office before? Tarrant County Commissioner 4, Mayor of Fort Worth Worth
Please list the highlights of your civic involvement/activism in Tarrant County. Homeless assistance program, Donation drives, Job assistance programs
Have you ever been arrested, charged with a crime or otherwise been part of a criminal proceeding? N/A
Have you been involved in a civil lawsuit or bankruptcy proceeding? N/A
Who are your top three campaign contributors? MY family, my wife, and my Church
Why are you seeking this office?
I’m running as a father first. I have two sons growing up in Precinct 4, and when I think about their future here, I can’t accept the trajectory we’re on. Every day I drive them on roads full of potholes, through gridlocked intersections, past the sites where 205 families lost loved ones in traffic fatalities last year alone. I think: will these roads be safe when my boys start driving? What kind of community are we leaving them? I’ve spent three years preparing to win this seat because my sons deserve better than inherited gridlock and deferred maintenance. Every child in Precinct 4 deserves safe roads, planned growth, and leaders who solve problems instead of creating them. That’s why I’m running—not for a political career, but for the future my family and yours will inherit.
If elected, what would your top 3 policy priorities be?
1. Fix Our Infrastructure Crisis
2. Smart Fiscal Management That Protects Essential Services
3. Inclusive, Responsive Leadership
How will you measure your success as Precinct 4 Commissioner?
Success means measurable improvements in people’s lives, not political wins. Safer roads: I’ll track traffic fatalities, accident rates, and road conditions. If those numbers aren’t declining year over year, I’m failing.
Infrastructure progress: Miles of roads repaired, deferred maintenance addressed, and whether we’re planning infrastructure BEFORE approving developments—not scrambling afterward. Constituent responsiveness: Response times to concerns, town hall participation across all communities, and whether residents feel heard. If people can’t reach me, I’ve failed.
Fiscal accountability: Are we cutting waste while maintaining services? Are budgets transparent and understandable? Collaboration: Can I pass meaningful legislation with bipartisan support and work across the aisle to solve problems?
The ultimate measure: Can my sons and every child in Precinct 4 grow up with safe roads, responsive government, and leaders who keep promises? If yes, I’ve succeeded.
Why should voters choose you over your opponents?
I’m the only candidate in this race who’s already proven I can earn your trust and deliver results against the odds.
In 2022, outspent 30-to-1, I earned 65,000 votes because I connected with voters on real issues—not political talking points. Since then, I’ve spent three years preparing to lead: studying county budgets, attending Commissioners Court meetings, building relationships, and documenting exactly what’s broken. I offer what the incumbent doesn’t: inclusive leadership that serves all 600,000 residents, not just one party. I’ll hold town halls, respond to constituents, and end the partisan retaliation that’s made county government dysfunctional.
I offer what matters most: a personal stake in this community’s future. My sons will grow up here. I’m fighting for the safe roads, smart growth, and responsive government every family deserves. The choice is simple: more of the same partisan games, or a problem-solver ready to deliver results. I’m ready to serve.
What is the main issue facing Precinct 4? How do you plan to resolve it?
The main issue is infrastructure failing to keep pace with explosive growth. We’re approving developments without ensuring adequate roads, water, or emergency services. The result: gridlocked traffic, crumbling roads, and 205+ traffic fatalities in 2024.
My solution:
Immediate: Accelerate road repairs, fix dangerous intersections, and coordinate with cities on traffic management.
Long-term: Require infrastructure assessments BEFORE approving developments. Developers must contribute to the infrastructure that their projects strain.
Accountability: Set measurable goals for road conditions and safety, track progress publicly, and adjust based on results.
This determines whether Precinct 4 thrives or chokes on its own growth. My sons will inherit these decisions—so will yours. I’ll ensure we plan infrastructure first, approve development second, and build a community where families can safely live, work, and drive.
What is the main issue facing the county? How do you plan to resolve it?
The main issue facing Tarrant County is partisan dysfunction, preventing us from addressing critical needs. While our county grows rapidly, Commissioners Court has become a battleground where political retaliation trumps problem-solving—from budget cuts targeting Democrats to delayed action on traffic safety and infrastructure.
My solution:
Lead by example: Work across party lines, build coalitions, and focus on results over partisan wins.
Demand accountability: Push for transparent budgets, data-driven decision-making, and measurable outcomes for county services.
Prioritize people: Whether it’s jail healthcare, roads, public safety, or elections, put residents’ needs above political games.
County government should solve problems, not create them. With 2+ million residents depending on effective leadership, we can’t afford commissioners who prioritize partisanship over service. I’ll work with anyone serious about delivering results for Tarrant County families.
What challenges do commissioners face with the 2025 redistricting? How would you resolve those issues?
The main challenge is ensuring redistricting is fair, transparent, and based on accurate population data—not drawn to protect incumbents or maximize partisan advantage. Tarrant County’s explosive growth means some precincts have significantly more residents than others, requiring boundary adjustments that will affect representation and resource allocation.
My approach:
Transparency first: Hold public hearings across the county, publish proposed maps early, and allow meaningful community input before final votes.
Fair criteria: Base boundaries on population equality, community integrity, and geographic logic—not political manipulation.
Protect representation: Ensure all communities, especially rapidly growing and underrepresented areas, have equal voice in county government.
Data-driven: Use current census data and demographic trends to create balanced districts that will remain fair as growth continues.
Nydia Cárdenas
Age (as of March 3): 39
Campaign website: www.vote4nydia.com
Best way for voters to reach you: Get Involved link: https://www.vote4nydia.com/get-involved
Occupation: Leadership coach and organizational development consultant
Education: Stanford University – Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering; University of Michigan Ross School of Business – MBA
Have you run for elected office before? No
Please list the highlights of your civic involvement/activism in Tarrant County.
I learned community involvement at a young age through the YMCA Youth Action Committee, Hispanic Youth Promoting Excellence, and my church, which led to being named Fort Worth’s Young Woman Volunteer of the Year. During the pandemic, I founded The Energy Takeback, a leadership coaching practice supporting civic leaders experiencing burnout. I co-founded and facilitate the 817 Gather, which brings residents together across neighborhoods and backgrounds and organized community efforts opposing county redistricting and the dismantling of DEI policies, helping restore expanded public comment at City Council meetings. I have also served as an election clerk since 2020 and participated as a poll watcher and ballot board observer, spending over 50 hours observing elections processes.
Have you ever been arrested, charged with a crime or otherwise been part of a criminal proceeding? No
Have you been involved in a civil lawsuit or bankruptcy proceeding? No
Who are your top three campaign contributors?
Ann Zadeh, Mendi Tackett, Mariam Bahmane
Why are you seeking this office?
Over the past year, I’ve consistently attended Commissioners Court meetings. I observed a powerful body making consequential decisions with limited accountability and few opportunities for residents to be heard, alongside a culture of fear among county staff who are discouraged from speaking openly with their expertise. I realized that if I wanted meaningful change, new leadership is needed. I’m running to change whose voices shape our policies. For too long, decisions have been driven by wealthy interests and political donors while the people most affected are shut out. I want to rebuild trust in county government and ensure residents know their voices matter. Tarrant County manages an $800+ million operation. This role requires someone who can navigate complex systems, improve organizational culture, and demand accountability. My background as an engineer, business advisor, and community builder has prepared me to lead with rigor, humility, and collaboration.
If elected, what would your top 3 policy priorities be?
1) Public Safety – Lead with Compassion:
I will push for independent jail oversight, full transparency for in-custody deaths, and real accountability. I will work to establish a public defender’s office and shift resources from youth incarceration to prevention and community-based programs. Justice should never depend on wealth.
2) Economy and Infrastructure – Smart Growth:
I will require infrastructure to be built alongside development and fight for property tax reform that protects homeowners. Growth should benefit communities, not just developers.
3) Health and Human Services – Invest Upstream:
I will restore public health, mental health care, and emergency assistance. Healthy, supported residents build safer, more resilient communities.
How will you measure your success as Precinct 4 Commissioner?
Success means both measurable outcomes and meaningful shifts in how county government operates. Quantitatively, I’ll track whether we reduce preventable in-custody deaths, lower youth incarceration, keep families in their homes amid rising property values, and increase voter access and participation. I’ll measure whether constituent concerns are being resolved, not just acknowledged. Qualitatively, success means residents feel heard and respected, and county staff feel safe sharing their expertise without fear of retaliation. It means public input demonstrably shapes policy, with transparent documentation showing how decisions were influenced. Success also requires collaboration. I will work with colleagues to prioritize residents over political theater, build coalitions, and solve problems productively. Ultimately, success means government works for everyone and accountability is proven through results people can see and feel.
Why should voters choose you over your opponents?
Voters deserve a commissioner who combines technical expertise with genuine accountability to constituents. I bring a unique combination of skills: I can analyze an $800+ million budget, identify organizational failures, and design systems that work. But I also know how to listen, build coalitions, and ensure the people most affected by decisions have a voice in shaping them. I started attending court meetings because I was concerned about the decisions being made. That engagement has given me insight into how the court operates, the policy choices being made, and where accountability is lacking. I’ve also been part of the People’s Commissioners Court, building relationships with community members who have been advocating for accountability for years. My endorsements from the Working Families Party and Tarrant County Young Democrats reflect my willingness to disrupt the cycle of corruption, demand accountability, and lead with the dignity this office requires.
What is the main issue facing Precinct 4? How do you plan to resolve it?
The main challenge facing Precinct 4 is rapid development outpacing infrastructure and threatening long-standing communities. From the Stockyards to Saginaw, growth is accelerating without adequate planning for utilities, transit, and housing affordability. Neighborhoods are increasingly squeezed by major projects and rising property values, risking resident displacement. Large-scale projects, like the proposed Saginaw data center, highlight this imbalance. These developments demand immense public infrastructure while generating few permanent jobs and receiving significant tax abatements, shifting costs onto residents. As Commissioner, I will prioritize smarter growth by ensuring infrastructure is funded before development is approved. I will center community voices in decisions and demand transparency and clear public benefit for developer incentives. Growth should strengthen our communities, not destabilize them.
What is the main issue facing the county? How do you plan to resolve it?
The most pressing issue facing Tarrant County is a budget that prioritizes incarceration over the investments that actually create safety: housing, mental health, and economic opportunity. For decades, we have funneled resources into an overburdened justice system while treating public health as expendable. Simultaneously, “grow at any cost” development has outpaced infrastructure, pricing families out of neighborhoods while tax cuts weaken the county’s ability to provide basic services. I will resolve this by investing “upstream.” This means restoring county-run health services, establishing a public defender’s office, and implementing independent jail oversight. I will redirect resources from youth incarceration toward proven intervention programs. Finally, I’ll advocate for smart growth that requires infrastructure to be built alongside development and fight for property tax reforms that protect homeowners without gutting the public systems our communities depend on.
What challenges do commissioners face with the 2025 redistricting? How would you resolve those issues?
The 2025 redistricting damaged public trust through a flawed, partisan process. The Commissioners Court held performative sessions that ignored resident concerns and spent significant taxpayer funds defending maps that prioritized political gain over local governance. This has caused widespread confusion for voters and staff alike, disrupting service delivery and eroding the relationship between constituents and their representatives. To resolve this, I will implement mechanisms to challenge bias before decisions are finalized. This includes requiring genuine community input with clear documentation on how feedback influences outcomes. I will mandate impact assessments on service delivery to ensure redistricting doesn’t hinder resident access to care or infrastructure. By prioritizing transparent governing and multilingual outreach to address current confusion, I will ensure we never again sacrifice community stability for partisan manipulation.
Perla Bojorquez
Age (as of March 3): 39
Campaign website: PERLAFORTEXAS.COM
Best way for voters to reach you: PERLAFORTEXAS.COM + INSTAGRAM: @PERLA4TEXAS
Occupation: EDUCATOR / RBT
Education: BACHELORS IN EDUCATION
Have you run for elected office before? 2024 DEMOCRATIC NOMINEE FOR STATE REPRESENTATIVE, HOUSE DISTRICT 93
Please list the highlights of your civic involvement/activism in Tarrant County.
COMMITTEE MEMBER FOR LULAC’S 2026 NATIONAL CONVENTION IN FORT WORTH
TCDP PRECINCT CHAIR / HOUSE DISTRICT COORDINATOR FOR HD93 SOUTH
INDIVISIBLE 12 – 2025 TREASURER
COMMUNITY ADVOCATE BUILDING COALITIONS OF ORGANIZATIONS AND MUTUAL AID
Have you ever been arrested, charged with a crime or otherwise been part of a criminal proceeding? NO
Have you been involved in a civil lawsuit or bankruptcy proceeding? NO
Who are your top three campaign contributors?
ALL LOCAL, ALL GRASSROOTS, RALPH TORRES
Why are you seeking this office?
WE NEED TO STOP THE BLEEDING AND LOSS OF TAX PAYER DOLLARS DEFENDING LAWSUITS FROM TARRANT COUNTY JAIL DEATHS AND PARTISAN GAMES. THE ROADS IN PRECINCT FOUR ARE TERRIBLE. THEY BOTTLE UP AND IT IS TAKING TOO MUCH TIME AWAY FROM SEEING OUR FRIENDS AND FAMILIES.
If elected, what would your top 3 policy priorities be?
PROTECT TAX DOLLARS, IMPROVE THE MAINTENANCE OF ROADS AND BRIDGES, AND FIGHT FOR FAIR ELECTIONS.
How will you measure your success as Precinct 4 Commissioner?
A COMMUNITY’S HEALTH SAYS A LOT ABOUT THE LEADERSHIP THAT GOVERNS OVER THEM, I WILL MEASURE MY SUCCESS BY THE SUCCESS OF OUR COMMUNITIES. WE NEED TO BE BUILDING STRONGER INFRASTRUCTURES THROUGHOUT EVERY FACET OF OUR COUNTY AND HELP FAMILIES THRIVE.
Why should voters choose you over your opponents?
I AM THE MOST QUALIFIED CANDIDATE WITH OVER 20 YEARS OF EXPERIENCE AS A PARALEGAL, EDUCATOR, AND COMMUNITY ADVOCATE. I AM THE BEST AT REVIEWING CONTRACTS, RESEARCHING LAWS AND POLICIES, AND MANAGING BUDGETS. CONSTITUENTS CAN TRUST THAT I WILL ALWAYS HAVE THEIR BEST INTEREST AT HEART, BUT EVERY DECISION WILL BE GUIDED BY DATA, DUE DILIGENCE, AND THE LAWS.
What is the main issue facing Precinct 4? How do you plan to resolve it?
THE MAIN ISSUE FACING PRECINCT 4 ARE OUR ROADS. AT EVERY POINT THEY EITHER BOTTLENECK, HAVE ONE SIDE OF THE ROAD SHUT DOWN FOR CONSTRUCTION, OR COMPLETELY WRECK YOUR CAR WITH POT HOLES. I WILL REVIEW CONTRACTS AND PRIORITIZE FIXING THE ROADS FOR EVERY CORNER OF PRECINCT 4, NOT JUST THE AFFLUENT AREAS.
What is the main issue facing the county? How do you plan to resolve it?
THE MAIN ISSUE FACING THE COUNTY ARE THE PARTISAN ISSUES, COUNTY JAIL DEATHS, AND VOTER SUPPRESSION. I PLAN ON RESOLVING IT BY VOTING DOWN POLICIES THAT WILL RESULT IN LAWSUITS LIKE THE GERRYMANDERING. I WOULD ALSO PRESSURING THE SHERIFF’S OFFICE TO PRODUCE POLICIES THAT REDUCE JAIL DEATHS OR ASK FOR THEIR RESIGNATION. I PLAN ON WORKING WITH THE ELECTION ADMINISTRATION OFFICE TO EDUCATE AND ENGAGE COMMUNITIES ABOUT LOCAL ELECTIONS AND BUILD MORE RELATIONSHIPS WITH BUSINESSES TO HELP WITH ELECTIONS.
What challenges do commissioners face with the 2025 redistricting? How would you resolve those issues?
TARRANT COUNTY’S 2025 REDISTRICTING SHOULD NOT HAVE BEEN LEAD BY THE PUBLIC INTEREST LEGAL FOUNDATION. THAT IS A COMPLETE CONFLICT OF INTEREST. NON-PARTISAN MAPS AND DATA SHOULD HAVE BEEN PRESENTED TO THE COMMUNITIES. I WOULD RESOLVE THIS BY HOLDING MORE TOWN HALLS TO TALK TO CONSTITUENTS AND TO HEAR ABOUT THEIR REAL NEEDS.
Fort Worth Star-Telegram
Rachel Royster is a news and government reporter for the Fort Worth Star-Telegram, specifically focused on Tarrant County. She joined the newsroom after interning at the Austin American-Statesman, the Waco Tribune-Herald and Capital Community News in DC. A Houston native and Baylor grad, Rachel enjoys traveling, reading and being outside. She welcomes any and all news tips to her email.