HOUSTON — As expected, State Senator John Whitmire and Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee will face off in a December runoff to be Houston’s next mayor.
On the day after Election Day, endorsements began for the two candidates.
Current Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner, who will leave office at the end of the year due to term limits, announced his endorsement for Jackson Lee outside City Hall on Wednesday. He praised the congresswoman’s efforts during natural disasters and the pandemic, plus her ability to bring federal dollars to Houston.
“You take away the federal dollars, Houstonians as a whole will suffer,” said Mayor Turner. “We need someone who is experienced, that has the relationships there, that as mayor can pick up the phone and make things happen.”
Jackson Lee said she’s treating the runoff as a new election and will work to get new endorsements.
“We will be igniting a new campaign to get the voters out, and we have a short period of time to do it, which makes it even more exciting,” said Jackson Lee.
KHOU 11 requested an interview with Whitmire on Wednesday. His team emailed a statement from the senator.
“I respect Mayor Turner’s right to endorse the candidates of his choice,” said Whitmire. “I will continue to focus on what Houstonians care about – public safety, infrastructure, affordability, garbage pickup and other city services that Houstonians expect.”
Whitmire still has the endorsements of Houston law enforcement groups, including the Houston Police Officers’ Union, Afro-American Police Officers League, Organization of Spanish Speaking Officers, and Houston Police Retired Officers Association.
“As the ones who are doing the work keeping our great city safe on a daily basis, as well as those who have retired, we know John Whitmire is the only candidate who will prioritize public safety with experience and knowledge gained from his time as Chair of the Criminal Justice Committee in the Texas Senate,” the law enforcement groups released as a joint statement Wednesday. “We look forward to working with him as mayor."
Mayor Turner has also endorsed former Harris County Clerk Chris Hollins for City Controller. He will be facing Orland Sanchez in a runoff.
“This thing is not over,” said Hollins. “We have 30 more days to get to this finish line, and then the real work starts.”
KHOU 11 reached out to Sanchez Wednesday but had not heard back.
The runoff election is Saturday, December 9th.