Michael Crain
Michael Crain is a member of the Fort Worth City Council in Texas, representing District 3. He assumed office on May 11, 2021. His current term ends in 2027.
Crain ran for re-election to the Fort Worth City Council to represent District 3 in Texas. He won in the general election on May 3, 2025.
Crain completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2025. Click here to read the survey answers.
Biography
Michael Crain was born in Fort Worth, Texas. He earned a bachelor's degree from Texas A&M University in 1990, a law degree from the Texas A&M School of Law in 1999, and a graduate degree from Rutgers in 2011. His career experience includes working as a real estate broker.[1]
Elections
2025
See also: City elections in Fort Worth, Texas (2025)
General election
General election for Fort Worth City Council District 3
Incumbent Michael Crain defeated Jason Ballmann in the general election for Fort Worth City Council District 3 on May 3, 2025.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ |  | Michael Crain (Nonpartisan)  | 71.7 | 3,955 |
 | Jason Ballmann (Nonpartisan) | 28.3 | 1,563 | |
| Total votes: 5,518 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. | ||||
Endorsements
To view Crain's endorsements as published by their campaign, click here. Ballotpedia did not identify endorsements for Crain in this election.
2023
See also: City elections in Fort Worth, Texas (2023)
General election
General election for Fort Worth City Council District 3
Incumbent Michael Crain won election in the general election for Fort Worth City Council District 3 on May 6, 2023.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Michael Crain (Nonpartisan) | 100.0 | 5,506 |
| Total votes: 5,506 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. | ||||
Endorsements
To view Crain's endorsements as published by their campaign, click here. Ballotpedia did not identify endorsements for Crain in this election.
2021
See also: City elections in Fort Worth, Texas (2021)
General election
General election for Fort Worth City Council District 3
The following candidates ran in the general election for Fort Worth City Council District 3 on May 1, 2021.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Michael Crain (Nonpartisan) | 71.3 | 8,145 |
| Katie Johnson (Nonpartisan) | 7.1 | 814 | ||
| Tonya Carter (Nonpartisan) | 6.6 | 759 | ||
| Anne Low (Nonpartisan) | 3.9 | 450 | ||
| Daniel Fattori (Nonpartisan) | 3.2 | 361 | ||
| Andy Gallagher (Nonpartisan) | 3.1 | 353 | ||
| Michael Caceres (Nonpartisan) | 3.0 | 344 | ||
| Adrian Smith (Nonpartisan) | 1.7 | 193 | ||
| Total votes: 11,419 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. | ||||
Campaign themes
2025
Ballotpedia survey responses
See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection
Michael Crain completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2025. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Crain's responses. Candidates are asked three required questions for this survey, but they may answer additional optional questions as well.
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My experience in both public and private sectors, including positions in the George W. Bush Administration and as Chief of Staff at the U.S. Embassy in Beijing, has honed my problem-solving skills. After eight years abroad, I returned to Fort Worth to raise my adopted Chinese daughters.
Currently, I serve as the District 3 City Councilman, addressing citizens' concerns and working to improve our city. I'm also a real estate broker, using my law school education to negotiate deals for clients.
I hold a BBA from Texas A&M University, a JD from Texas A&M School of Law, and an MBA from Rutgers University. I'm deeply grateful for my wife Joanna and our children Mackaylee, Mackenzie, and Ainsley, who keep life interesting.- Experience and readiness: With my diverse background in both public and private sectors, including roles in the George W. Bush Administration and as Chief of Staff at the U.S. Embassy in Beijing, I bring a wealth of experience to the City Council. I'm ready to continue pushing for better policies and processes to help all Fort Worthians thrive and prosper.
- Community advocate and problem-solver: I'm deeply involved in our community, serving on various boards and founding charity events. As your councilman, I work diligently to address citizens' concerns and find creative solutions to problems, always striving for win-win outcomes.
- Promoting inclusive growth: I believe in fostering an environment where all segments of our community can benefit from Fort Worth's growth. I'm committed to reviewing city policies and processes to ensure opportunity and fairness, allowing all citizens to enjoy the benefits of our city's success and realize their dreams.
1. **Integrity and Ethical Conduct**: Acting in the best interest of the community, maintaining transparency, and avoiding conflicts of interest are essential.
2. **Commitment to Public Service**: This role is about serving constituents and improving our community, not personal gain or power.
3. **Effective Communication and Listening**: Clearly articulating ideas, building consensus, and listening to diverse viewpoints are vital.
4. **Knowledge of Local Issues**: Understanding our city's history, challenges, and aspirations is necessary for making informed decisions.
5. **Collaboration and Teamwork**: Working effectively with fellow council members, city staff, and community partners is crucial for progress.
6. **Vision and Long-term Thinking**: Considering both immediate needs and future benefits is important for sustainable growth.
7. **Accessibility and Responsiveness**: Being available to address concerns and issues promptly is non-negotiable.
8. **Resilience and Adaptability**: Tackling unexpected challenges and adapting approaches as needed is essential.
9. **Representing All Constituents**: I strive to ensure that every resident feels represented and valued, regardless of their background or circumstances.
10. **Continuous Learning and Growth**: Staying informed and improving skills is vital in the evolving landscape of local governance.
Our primary duty is fulfilling the city's legislative functions: crafting ordinances, developing policies, and setting Fort Worth's direction. We review and approve the annual budget, directly impacting services and quality of life for residents.
We provide direction to the city manager and oversee local public employees, ensuring city operations align with the council's vision and community needs. We make critical decisions on zoning, land use, and economic development, shaping our city's future.
Serving on committees and appointing citizens to advisory boards allows us to tap into community expertise and foster civic engagement. We strive to represent all Fort Worth residents, ensuring city services are accessible and beneficial to everyone, promoting growth that enhances opportunities, and making decisions that benefit the entire community.
Note: Ballotpedia reserves the right to edit Candidate Connection survey responses. Any edits made by Ballotpedia will be clearly marked with [brackets] for the public. If the candidate disagrees with an edit, he or she may request the full removal of the survey response from Ballotpedia.org. Ballotpedia does not edit or correct typographical errors unless the candidate's campaign requests it.
2023
Michael Crain completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2022. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Crain's responses. Candidates are asked three required questions for this survey, but they may answer additional optional questions as well.
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- Ensuring adequate resources and training for first responders
- Using taxpayer dollars efficiently so lowering the property tax rate is feasible
- Adequately investing in our transportation and infrastructure needs for a growing city.
Note: Ballotpedia reserves the right to edit Candidate Connection survey responses. Any edits made by Ballotpedia will be clearly marked with [brackets] for the public. If the candidate disagrees with an edit, he or she may request the full removal of the survey response from Ballotpedia.org. Ballotpedia does not edit or correct typographical errors unless the candidate's campaign requests it.
2021
Michael Crain did not complete Ballotpedia's 2021 Candidate Connection survey.
See also
2025 Elections
External links
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Candidate Fort Worth City Council District 3 |
Officeholder Fort Worth City Council District 3 |
Personal |
Footnotes
- ↑ Information submitted to Ballotpedia through the Candidate Connection survey on March 20, 2025
| Political offices | ||
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| Preceded by - |
Fort Worth City Council District 3 2021-Present |
Succeeded by - |
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