Ken Mathew becomes first Indian American Mayor of Stafford

Kerala native Ken Mathew defeated incumbent Mayor Cecil Willis by 16 votes in a run-off vote

Kerala native Ken Mathew has made history as the first Indian American and the first person of color to be sworn in as the Mayor of Stafford, a small seven-square-mile city in Texas.

In a standing-room-only special meeting on June 20, Mathew, surrounded by his family members, was sworn in by Missouri City Mayor Robin Elackatt, also an Indian-American, the Fort Bend Star reported.

READ: Mikey Hothi becomes first Sikh mayor of Lodi City (January 3, 2023)

In the audience was a veritable who’s-who of Fort Bend County officials past and present, including Fort Bend County Judge KP George, another Indian American and Texas Rep. Suleman Lulani among others.

Mathew, who defeated the incumbent mayor, Cecil Willis, by 16 votesin a run-off election on June 10, leads a virtually brand-new City Council after this year’s municipal election saw the election of four new members, according to the Star .

“I am very much humbled by your selection of me as your mayor,” Mathew said. “This is a historical event.”

Mathews, who is a Christian, noted that on the same day that he was being sworn in, his co-religionists in his home country of India were marking the holiday known as “The Procession of Saints.”

“I am so glad to be have taken the oath of office on this day,” he was quoted as saying.

Mathews, a retired financial professional, said the “lifeline of this city,” known for decades for its disavowal of a property tax, is the sales tax. Approximately 60 percent of Stafford’s revenues are derived from the sales tax from retail establishments, he noted.

He said the City Council’s responsibility was to pursue policies that would enhance and attract new retail business to the city.

“It is not impossible, but it will not be easy,’ he said. “And that is where I will be – pursuing and pushing. And I need all of the support of the Council to move forward so we can do better financially. It will not be easy.’

Mathews advocated enhancing the area known as “The Island” along the city’s major business thoroughfares. “Let us have a frank discussion, and we will move accordingly and make this great city of Stafford greater,” he said.

Fort Bend County Judge George tweeted, ”Congratulations to Stafford Mayor-elect Ken Mathew! It was an absolute pleasure to attend his swearing-in ceremony this evening. Wishing him all the best as he embarks on this important role.”

Mathew served on Stafford Council since first being elected in 2006, and served on the city’s Planning and Zoning Commission for several years before then. He immigrated to the US in the 1970s after earning a degree from the University of Bombay.

With an MBA from the University of Detroit, Mathew worked as an accountant and financial executive for several corporations, including Toshiba in the Houston area. He has lived in Stafford since 1982.