Andrew Schneider / Houston Public Media

John Whitmire gives his victory speech at his watch night party for the runoff election.

John Whitmire elected Houston's next mayor

Democratic Texas State Senator John Whitmire defeated Democratic Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee to win the nonpartisan election for Houston's mayor.

Left: Houston mayoral candidate U.S. Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee during a campaign event on Oct. 27, 2023 in Houston. Right: State Sen. John Whitmire during a debate on Oct. 10, 2023 in Houston.

Houston mayor's race goes to runoff election

Andrew Schneider / Houston Public Media

Houston, the fourth largest U.S. city, will have a runoff election between longtime Democratic State Senator John Whitmire and Democratic Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee

Empty seats are seen in the House Chamber at the Texas Capitol, Tuesday, July 13, 2021, in Austin, Texas. Texas Democrats left the state to block sweeping new election laws, while Republican Gov. Greg Abbott threatened them with arrest the moment they return.

In Texas, Efforts To Make Voting Harder Have Some Worried In Harris County

Andrew Schneider / Houston Public Media

Harris County, which includes Houston, has more than 4.7 million people. Many of the voting rights innovations installed last year are at risk of being eliminated by the Republican-led legislature.

Democratic Lawmakers In Texas Have Left The State To Try To Block Voting Restrictions

Andrew Schneider / Houston Public Media

The Texas House Democratic Caucus has confirmed that Democrats have fled the state in an effort to block Republican voting restrictions from advancing in a special legislative session.