US Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee and state Sen. John Whitmire lead crowded field in Houston mayor’s race

By JUAN A. LOZANO
Associated Press

HOUSTON (AP) — Voters in Houston headed to the polls to elect a new mayor to lead the nation’s fourth largest city. They’ll choose from a crowded field, including U.S. Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee and state Sen. John Whitmire. The two longtime Democratic lawmakers dominated an open mayoral race that’s drawn 17 candidates and one write-in candidate, and has been focused on issues of crime, crumbling infrastructure and potential budget shortfalls. Jackson Lee would be the city’s first Black female mayor. Whitmire has spent five decades in the Texas Legislature. If no candidate gets more than half of the vote Tuesday, the top two will head to a Dec. 9 runoff. Officials say there were some problems Tuesday at polling locations but nothing disruptive.