This story has been updated with comments from Roy Charles Brooks and Roderick Miles Jr.
Roy Charles Brooks, a Democrat who has represented southwest Tarrant County on the Commissioners Court since 2004, announced Thursday he won't run for reelection next year.
Brooks endorsed his longtime staffer Roderick Miles Jr. as his successor.
"Roderick has worked for me for 10 years or so in a very close, advisory capacity," Brooks said. "He's gotten a chance to witness what public service looks like."
Miles signaled his intention to run in February, when he appointed a campaign treasurer, county documents show.
Miles, who grew up in Forest Hill, is Brooks' executive administrator in charge of community outreach. He has learned a lot from Brooks, who is his friend, mentor and fraternity brother, Miles told KERA.
"I've learned that the important part of governance is prioritizing people, putting people first and serving them," Miles said. "I learned from him the value of prioritizing the human condition and making life better for our residents."
If he wins the seat in 2024, Miles said he would focus on safeguarding the county hospital, John Peter Smith, and expanding mental and behavioral health services. He would also advocate for tax relief and criminal justice reform, he said.
Brooks himself won his seat on the Commissioners Court after 14 years working for the previous commissioner, Dionne Phillips Bagsby, the first woman and first African American elected to the Tarrant County Commissioners Court.
From experience, Brooks knows how helpful it is to come into elected office with knowledge of how the county works and the relationships to get things done, he said.
"We all stand on the shoulders of giants, and if one pays attention, that's a good thing," Brooks said. "Because it helps you to see farther and to interpret better the things that one is seeing."
Crowley ISD School Board member and Fort Worth zoning commissioner Mia Hall, a fellow Democrat, also announced her campaign for Brooks' seat Thursday.
In a statement, Hall said she's a dependable candidate who's the right person to build on Brooks' work.
"Our rights are under attack; whether it's our access to quality public health services, investing in public education, being a leader in attracting the right economic development and so much more," she said.
Two seats on the five-member court are up for reelection next year: Brooks' Precinct 1 and Gary Fickes' Precinct 3. Fickes is also not running for reelection.
A kickoff event for Miles' campaign is scheduled for Sept. 16 at Saint Andrews United Methodist Church, at 522 Missouri Ave. in Fort worth.
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Got a tip? Email Miranda Suarez at msuarez@kera.org. You can follow Miranda on Twitter @MirandaRSuarez.
