HOUSTON -- Voters picked Annise Parker as Houston's next mayor Saturday night, selecting her over Gene Locke with 53 percent of the vote in a hotly contested mayoral runoff.
Parker's win makes Houston the largest U.S. city ever to elect an openly gay mayor.
"I acknowledge that. I embrace that. I know what this win means to many of us who never thought we could achieve high office," Parker told an energetic crowd of supporters in her victory speech.
Parker then called on Houstonians to come together "as one community."
"We're united in one goal, and that is making Houston the city that it should be, could be, can be and will be," Parker said.
Later, she clasped the hand of longtime partner, Kathy Hubbard, introducing her and their three children to the crowd.
Locke conceded the race just after 10 p.m.
"I want to thank Annise Parker. She ran a wonderful race," Locke said to supporters. "I am proud that she is now the winner. I congratulate her."
Locke called on his supporters to stand behind Parker.
"Let's unite and work together, bringing all people together," he said. "The future of Houston is great only if its people work together."
The mayoral election battle leading up to Saturday’s balloting was marked by fierce campaigning and anti-gay rhetoric.
Parker is a lesbian who has never made a secret or an issue of her sexual orientation. But that orientation became focus of the race in recent weeks after anti-gay activists and conservative religious groups endorsed the 61-year-old Locke and sent out mailers condemning Parker’s "homosexual behavior."
Meanwhile, gay and lesbian political organizations nationwide rallied to support the 53-year-old Parker by raising money for her campaign and making calls urging people to vote.
Locke, who would have become the city’s second black mayor if elected, tried to distance himself from the anti-gay attacks while courting conservative voters who could tip the race in his favor.
Although Locke condemned the divisive rhetoric, two of his key supporters contributed money to a conservative political action committee that sent out an anti-gay mailer earlier this month, urging voters not to pick Parker because she was endorsed by the "gay and lesbian political caucus."
Campaign finance reports show Ned Holmes, finance chairman of Locke’s campaign, and James Dannenbaum, a member of the campaign’s finance committee, each gave $20,000.
Parker and Locke, both Democrats in the nonpartisan race, made it to the runoff after garnering more votes than two other candidates on Nov. 3. They battled to replace Bill White, who was term-limited after serving six years and is seeking the Democratic nomination for governor.
Several smaller U.S. cities have openly gay mayors, including Portland, Ore., Providence, R.I., and Cambridge, Mass.
Houston, the country’s fourth largest city, is predominantly Democratic and about 25 percent black and one-third Hispanic. About 60,000 of its 2.2 million residents identify as gay or lesbian.
In other results, Ronald Green squeaked by M.J. Khan with 51 percent of the vote in the race for city controller.
Jolanda Jones, Sue Lovell and Stephen Costello won runoffs for at-large city council positions. Click here for the latest results.
