Houston chose Democratic state Sen. John Whitmire as its next mayor Saturday night, elevating a Texas lawmaker who has represented the city for 50 years in a runoff victory over U.S. Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee.
Whitmire, 74, who is one of Texas’ most powerful Democratic lawmakers, will now lead America’s fourth-largest city.
His campaign focused on reducing crime, improving roads and bringing people together. She is well ahead of Jackson Lee, who is running to become Houston’s first black female mayor.
The congressman’s campaign also had to deal with the fallout from the release in October of an unverified audio recording that purportedly caught his staff swearing.
Whitmire built an insurmountable lead among early voters, winning among those voters by 30 percentage points.
U.S. Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee has represented the city for the past 50 years before losing to Whitmire on Saturday. AP
Standing before a ballroom full of cheering supporters at the city’s convention center, Whitmire said he was fired up and ready to work as mayor.
“I don’t mind telling people what a great city we have. But we have a great challenge. If we will unite and realize it will not be easy. In fact, we will face challenges. But I see that as an opportunity. And I need you to join me. We will face our challenges. It will be an opportunity to show the country what the city of Houston can do,” Whitmire said.
At his election night party, Jackson Lee thanked his supporters, congratulated Whitmire and said he was committed to working with him. Jackson Lee said he plans to announce in the near future whether he will run for re-election next year for his congressional seat.
Whitmire and Jackson Lee speak at a mayoral forum on Dec. 3, 2023, in Houston. AP
“It is sweeter to say that sweet victory. It’s equally sweet to admit we put up a good fight,” said Jackson Lee.
Whitmire and Jackson Lee made it to Saturday’s runoff after emerging from a crowded field of nearly 20 candidates in the Nov. 7 general election.
Both candidates — two of Houston’s biggest political matchups — touted their decades of political experience as strong credentials to lead a growing city facing challenges including crime, crumbling infrastructure and potential budget shortfalls.
Whitmire poses with supporters during an election watch party, on Nov. 7, 2023, in Houston. AP
Whitmire began in the Texas Legislature in 1973, first as a state representative and most of his time as a state senator. Jackson Lee has represented Houston in Congress since 1995 and, prior to that, served on the Houston City Council.
Rapid growth over the past decade has caused municipal headaches but has also turned the Houston area into a growing stronghold for Texas Democrats. Although the mayor’s race is nonpartisan, Whitmire and Jackson Lee are both Democrats.
Whitmire will be the oldest mayor of a major city in the US. He is poised to lead an increasingly youthful city, with a median age of around 35 and with 25% of its population under 18, according to census figures.
Jackson Lee attends a voter outreach event on Sunday, Dec. 3, 2023, in Houston. AP
The choice between Whitmire and Jackson Lee, who is 73, upset some Democratic voters, especially younger ones, at a time when the party is looking for a new political star in Texas who could end 30 years of statewide GOP dominance.
The new mayor will have to deal with new laws from the GOP-led state government over control of local elections and the ability to impose local regulations.
Whitmire will replace Mayor Sylvester Turner, who has served eight years and cannot run again because of term limits.
Whitmire will also lead what is considered one of the most diverse cities in the country. Of the city’s 2.3 million residents, 45% are Latino, with 23% Black and 24% white. One out of every four Houstonians was born outside the US.
Known as the energy capital of the world, Houston’s economy has long been tied primarily to the oil industry. But the city is working to be a leader in the transition to cleaner energy. Like other large US cities, Houston is also dealing with a shortage of affordable housing and concerns among residents about the growing gap between rich and poor.
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Source: thtrangdai.edu.vn/en/
