HOUSTON -- Gene Locke and Annise Parker spent Thursday on the phone with supporters and major campaign donors, trying to rapidly raise money in a 39-day sprint to a runoff election.
Although the date has not officially been set, a spokesman for Houston Mayor Bill White said the election will take place Saturday, December 12.
“Now, it’s a one-on-one contest, and the voters can focus on the two candidates,” Locke told 11 News while meeting with supporters at the 59 Diner Wednesday morning. “It’s important that all of us have a say in who the leaders will be.”
Parker delivered her monthly report on the city’s finances at a 9 o’clock Houston City Council meeting Wednesday morning. The only mention she made of her top performance in Tuesday’s election was a grinning “I’m very happy to be here.”
Earlier in the day, she told 11 News that she heads into the runoff with an edge. “I’m the known quantity on the ballot,” she said. “I think that’s going to be a great advantage.”
Political expert Bob Stein said both candidates must now go after the people who voted for Peter Brown and Roy Morales. “They’re up for grabs,” Stein said. “It’s not obvious who they are going to vote for at this point.”
Both Locke and Parker hold similar positions on many key issues, Stein said, so the runoff election will likely hinge on “experience, competence and trust.”
Will the candidates go negative? Locke and Parker hedged their bets.
Locke: “The issues that we face in this city don’t allow us to do much mudslinging. People are concerned about whether their houses are safe, whether they have a job. Businesses want to stay afloat.”
Parker: “I really have no idea. I am focused on reaching out to my voters and I really won’t talk about my opponent unless I have to.”
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