On December 3, 2023, state senator John Whitmire and congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee (D-Texas), who are running for mayor of Houston, talk at a forum. (AP Photo/Lekan Oyekanmi)
Democratic state senator John Whitmire defeated Democratic congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee (D-Texas) in a runoff election to become the next mayor of Houston on Saturday night.
One of Texas’s most influential Democratic lawmakers, Mr. Whitmire, 74, will take over as mayor of the country’s fourth-largest city. His program centered on lowering crime, enhancing public spaces, and fostering interpersonal relationships. He spent far more than Ms. Jackson Lee.
The congresswoman’s campaign also had to deal with the aftermath from the unauthorized audio tape that was leaked in October and claimed to show her berating staff members profanely.
With early voting, Mr. Whitmire established an unbreakable lead, winning by thirty percentage points.
In front of an enthusiastic audience in the city’s convention center, Mr. Whitmire declared that he was fired up and prepared to take on the role of mayor.
“I have no problem telling people what a fantastic place we live in. However, we face enormous obstacles,” Mr. Whitmire remarked. “If we unite and acknowledge that it won’t be simple. We shall, in reality, encounter difficulties. However, I see that as a chance. And I need you to work with me together. We’ll overcome our obstacles. It will be a chance to showcase Houston’s capabilities to the country.
Ms. Jackson Lee congratulated Mr. Whitmire, thanked her supporters, and declared her commitment to working with him during her election night party. Ms. Jackson Lee declared that she would make an announcement soon on her decision to seek reelection to her congressional seat the following year.
Saying what a sweet triumph it is is much sweeter. We fought hard, and that’s equally sweet,” Ms. Jackson Lee remarked.
Following their ascent from a crowded field of around twenty candidates in the general election on November 7, Mr. Whitmire and Ms. Jackson Lee advanced to the runoff on Saturday.
The two contenders, who are well-known figures in Houston politics, bragged about their extensive political backgrounds and claimed to be well-suited to steer a developing city that is dealing with issues like crime, deteriorating infrastructure, and possible financial shortages.
Beginning in 1973, Mr. Whitmire served as a state representative before spending the most of his tenure as a state senator in the Texas Legislature. Prior to her time on the Houston City Council, Ms. Jackson Lee served as the congressional representative for Houston.
The choice between Mr. Whitmire and Ms. Jackson Lee, 73, frustrated some Democratic voters, particularly younger ones, at a time when the party is searching for new political stars in Texas who might end 30 years of GOP dominance statewide.
The GOP-led state legislature has passed new rules that will restrict the new mayor’s authority to hold municipal elections and enforce local laws.
Democratic Mayor Sylvester Turner, who has served eight years and is ineligible to seek for office again due to term limitations, will be replaced by Mr. Whitmire.
