Fort Worth, Texas – As Tarrant County voters wrapped up early voting on Nov. 4, Democrat Nydia Cárdenas held a modest lead over Republican incumbent Manny Ramirez for the Precinct 4 seat on the county commissioners court. The unofficial tally posted at midnight recorded 85,569 votes (51.91%) for Cárdenas and 79,281 votes (48.09%) for Ramirez.
Candidate backgrounds
Ramirez, 38, was first elected to the commissioners court in 2022. In addition to his county duties, he has served as chairman of the Texas Juvenile Justice Department board since 2024. Prior to his elected service, Ramirez spent more than 15 years as a Fort Worth police officer and led the Fort Worth Police Officers Association for six years.
Cárdenas, 40, is a first‑time candidate. She founded The Energy Takeback, a leadership‑coaching practice that applies engineering principles to personal and professional development, and she organizes the 817 Gather, a progressive community group in Tarrant County. Her résumé includes participation in the Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses program, the Black Ambition Prize, and a former role as vice president of customer experience for a technology startup.
Campaign priorities
Ramirez’s platform emphasized public safety, road infrastructure, transportation mobility, affordability and tax relief – issues that resonate with families seeking stable neighborhoods and reliable services.
Cárdenas campaigned on expanding mental‑health care access across the county, reforming property taxes, increasing resources for childcare, promoting affordability and improving jail accountability. Her focus on mental‑health services and childcare aligns with the concerns of many parents in the precinct.
Early‑voting turnout
More than half a million Tarrant County voters cast ballots during the early‑voting window that ran from Oct. 19 through Oct. 30. The strong participation reflects the community’s engagement in local governance and the importance of the commissioners court in shaping county services that affect daily life.
What’s next?
The official results will be certified after the polls close on Nov. 3 and all ballots are counted. Both candidates have pledged to continue listening to residents and to work toward policies that support families, uphold community values, and strengthen the county’s fiscal health.
For voters who have not yet cast a ballot, early‑voting sites remain open until the deadline, and additional information on polling locations and hours is available on the Tarrant County Elections website.
Original reporting: Fort Worth Report — read the source article.
