Ballotpedia: Roderick Miles

Roderick is originally from Fort Worth, Texas. He earned his bachelor's degree in psychology from Philander Smith College and his master's degree in divinity from the St. Paul School of Theology. He lives with his wife, Cassandra, and their 2 daughters. 

Roderick is currently the precinct 1 executive administrator of programs and outreach for Tarrant County Commissioner Roy Charles Brooks. He previously worked at Big Brothers Big Sisters Lone Star as the African American partnership manager, and founded the Grow Southeast Urban Farm Initiative. 

Roderick Miles Jr.'s campaign for county commissioner in Tarrant County Commission precinct 1 is his first run for public office.

Candidate website

Aims to create "innovative solutions" to reduce resident tax rates while maintaining social service programs.

Believes in increasing the tax base by recruiting corporations to establish businesses in Precinct 1.

Believes in increasing the tax base by recruiting businesses to Precinct 1.

Believes in "balancing the County tax base between commercial and residential."

Supports creating opportunities for small businesses to grow and expand.

Supports safeguarding the social safety net for all precinct residents.

- Aims to create "innovative solutions" to reduce resident tax rates while maintaining social service programs.
- Believes in increasing the tax base by recruiting businesses to Precinct 1.
- Believes in "balancing the County tax base between commercial and residential."
- Supports creating opportunities for small businesses to grow and expand.
- Supports safeguarding the social safety net for all precinct residents.

Economy

Aims to provide road, bridge, and drainage infrastructure to municipalities in Precinct One.

- Aims to provide road, bridge, and drainage infrastructure to municipalities in Precinct One.

Transportation & Infrastructure

Opposes the reorganization of Tarrant County's criminal court system.

Opposes the reorganization of Tarrant County's criminal court system, which would grant more authority over the courts to the Texas executive branch.

Believes urgent action is needed to address jail policies, mental health support, and safety standards.

Believes county jails need better mental health services and safety standards.

- Opposes the reorganization of Tarrant County's criminal court system, which would grant more authority over the courts to the Texas executive branch.
- Believes county jails need better mental health services and safety standards.

Public Safety

As of September 7, 2024, Roderick Miles Jr’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Housing & Urban Development

Opposes actions that undermine citizens' rights to vote and engage with elected officials.

- Opposes actions that undermine citizens' rights to vote and engage with elected officials.

Public Services

Supports establishing a State Hospital for long-term behavioral healthcare.

Supports establishing a state hospital for long-term behavioral healthcare as alternative to county jail.

Supports developing high-quality hospitals and medical facilities for Tarrant County residents.

Supports building a high-quality hospital for Tarrant County residents.

Supports access to high-quality behavioral health resources for all residents.

Believes in providing opportunities for affordable, quality healthcare for all residents.

- Supports establishing a state hospital for long-term behavioral healthcare as alternative to county jail.
- Supports building a high-quality hospital for Tarrant County residents.
- Supports access to high-quality behavioral health resources for all residents.
- Believes in providing opportunities for affordable, quality healthcare for all residents.

Public Health

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Roderick Miles Jr

Believes in the importance of community-based businesses, saying "They opened one of the first Black owned grocery stores in Fort Worth and through their real estate business helped empower people of color to purchase their own homes."

Aims to collaborate with cities to boost economic development and job creation in Tarrant County through commercial development.

Supports developing and expanding homegrown small businesses.

Believes in addressing food disparities and empowering communities through urban farming initiatives and farmer apprenticeship programs.

Supports creating an environment for economic development and job creation that pay above a living wage for Tarrant County residents.

Believes in increasing the tax base by recruiting businesses in Precinct 1.

- Aims to create "innovative solutions" to reduce resident tax rates while maintaining social service programs.
- Believes in increasing the tax base by recruiting businesses in Precinct 1.
- Believes in "balancing the County tax base between commercial and residential."
- Supports creating opportunities for small businesses to grow and expand.
- Supports safeguarding the social safety net for all precinct residents.

Supports thorough investigations and reforms to prevent fatalities.

Believes the criminal justice system is failing, citing over 60 deaths in Tarrant County jail since 2017 as evidence of "neglect and mismanagement."

Believes in "ensuring Tarrant County communities are safe and cohesive."

Believes protecting judicial independence is crucial for county fairness and justice.

Believes Tarrant County Jail needs urgent reform.

Believes in enhancing public safety through proposed judicial restructuring in Tarrant County.

Opposes the consolidation of power in the justice system and advocates for transparency, inclusivity, and reform to address criminal justice issues.

Believes urgent reform is needed in Tarrant County Jail.

Opposes the proposed judicial restructuring in Tarrant County.

Believes Judge O'Hare's disrespectful conduct at the Tarrant County Commissioners Court is "utterly unacceptable" and "demeans Black women."

Believes the proposal distracts from urgent criminal justice reforms, especially regarding the county jail.

Believes in addressing non-serious offenses and mental health crises through policy changes rather than incarceration.

Believes in addressing non-serious offenses and mental health crises through means other than incarceration.

Opposes policies that would reduce social services.

Supports protecting social services for vulnerable populations.

As African American Partnership Manager at Big Brothers Big Sisters Lone Star, increased African American male volunteers by 75% and created the annual Greek Bowl for Kids' Sake fundraiser, raising over $90k for mentorship opportunities for children of color.

Believes in a strong commitment to public service and community engagement.

Served as a devoted Big Brother and as Chair of the Greater Fort Worth Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday Committee.

Believes in community service and leadership development through participation in local organizations and leadership programs.

Participated in youth ministry and choir performances at nursing homes and community events.

Believes in upholding civic duty and supports fair participation in public services.

Believes efforts to prevent voter fraud are unjust and aim to intimidate voters, especially in minority communities.

Believes the decision to appeal an acquittal is "a direct attack on our democracy and a blatant example of legal overreach."

Believes jails should not replace dedicated mental health services, saying it is "unconscionable" for individuals to be incarcerated due to a lack of such services.

Supports public health initiatives such as prostate cancer awareness and human trafficking prevention.

Roderick Miles Jr. hails from Fort Worth, Precinct One. He graduated from O.D. Wyatt High School and attended Tarrant County College - South Campus before earning a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology from Philander Smith College. He was active in the youth ministry at St. Andrews United Methodist Church. Roderick is married to Cassandra and they have two daughters, Danielle and Gabrielle.

Roderick Miles Jr. is currently the Precinct One Executive Administrator of Programs and Outreach for Tarrant County Commissioner Roy Charles Brooks. He previously worked at Big Brothers Big Sisters Lone Star as the African American Partnership Manager.

As of September 12, 2024, Roderick Miles Jr’s website did not contain information on this issue.

- County commissioners vote on the budget and appropriations, which fund essential county services like road maintenance.
- They create and enforce civil and criminal laws that align with state regulations, including land use and construction codes.
- Commissioners implement state and federal mandates while overseeing county agencies and public buildings.
- They also set tax rates for the county and its subdivisions.
- Each Texas county has four commissioners and a county judge, forming the local governing body known as the Commissioners Court.