November 9th 2023.
The race for Houston's mayor is headed to a runoff election, with Democrats Sheila Jackson Lee and John Whitmire leading the pack. With a crowded field of diverse candidates, these two have distinguished themselves by receiving major endorsements from influential players in Houston's political scene. Whitmire earned the backing of the Houston Chronicle's editorial board and Jackson Lee was supported by Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo.
The race has largely revolved around crime, budget crisis, and the personalities of the two leaders. If elected, Jackson Lee would be the city's first Black woman mayor, continuing a long line of Black mayors in Houston. Whitmire came into the race as the frontrunner and has since secured 42% of the vote, while Jackson Lee holds 35%.
On the night of the election, Jackson Lee told her supporters, “I started this journey around the issue of people — making sure that whatever I said was to make Houston a liveable city, and to make Houston a city that responded to the needs of families and our children.” With the help of Turner's endorsement on Nov 8, Jackson Lee's supporters are hopeful that the polls will be proven wrong in the upcoming runoff election. Jason Dawkins, a campaign volunteer, told the Tribune, “In many ways, she has served as some form of the mayor of Houston for all these years. She’s really ready to be mayor on day one.”
The Texas Democratic Party is also excited for the runoff, which is scheduled for Dec 9. Gilberto Hinojosa, Texas Democratic Party Chairman, said, “Houstonians are lucky to choose between two Texas Democrats who have dedicated their careers to making Houston the powerhouse metropolis it is today. Houston is the heartbeat of Texas, and we look forward to the voters of Houston making their voice heard.”
The runoff election will determine who will take over for Sylvester Turner, as he is term-limited and cannot seek reelection. With both Jackson Lee and Whitmire bringing diverse backgrounds and experience to the table, Houston is sure to have a leader who will make a positive impact.
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