government
Fort Worth mayor, husband deny conflict of interest over data center lobbying
By Cecilia Lenzen at Fort Worth Report
· June 20, 2026
· 6 min read
Mayor Mattie Parker and her husband, David Parker, denied allegations Friday that he lobbies for a data center coalition, pushing back on claims that his position at a consulting firm poses a conflict of interest for the mayor as Fort Worth grapples with how to regulate data center development. A re
Key takeaway A registered Texas lobbyist of more than 20 years, David Parker is a partner at the Austin-based consulting firm Longbow Partners.
Why this matters in The Fort Worth
The controversy surrounding Mayor Mattie Parker's husband and his lobbying work comes at a critical time for Fort Worth, as the city navigates the growth of the data center industry. With four existing data centers and five more in development, the city's natural resources, such as water and energy, are likely to be significantly impacted. The upcoming City Council vote in August on regulations for data centers will be closely watched, particularly by residents who have expressed concerns about the centers' effects on the environment. The fact that David Parker's firm has a client in the Data Center Coalition, even if he himself does not work directly with them, raises questions about potential influences on the mayor's decision-making. As the city weighs the benefits of data center development against the potential costs, transparency and accountability will be crucial in maintaining public trust in the regulatory process.
About this story
Original reporting by Fort Worth Report . The Fort Worth surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
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Category: government ·
Published: June 20, 2026 ·
Source: Fort Worth Report ·
Reading time: 6 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? Mayor Mattie Parker and her husband, David Parker, denied allegations Friday that he lobbies for a data center coalition, pushing back on claims that his position at a consulting firm poses a conflict of interest for the mayor as Fort Worth grapples with how to regulate data center development. A re
When was this published? This article was first published on June 20, 2026 by Fort Worth Report and curated for The Fort Worth readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Cecilia Lenzen at Fort Worth Report. To learn more about how The Fort Worth selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more government coverage from The Fort Worth, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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