As the buzz of civic duty intensifies, Houston residents are poised to make their voices heard with ear- ly voting for the 2023 mayoral run-off commencing Monday, November 20. This critical election, culminating on Saturday, December 9, will determine the city’s leadership and the composition of the City Council across multiple at-large positions and districts D, H, and G.

This year's election is particularly noteworthy as it signals the first open mayoral race since 2015, after eight years under Mayor Sylvester Turner’s term-limited administration. Voters will have access to 41 early voting locations throughout Harris County, with over 400 polling stations ready for action on Election Day.

In the spotlight are two seasoned politicians: State Senator John Whitmire and U.S. Representative Sheila Jackson Lee. The November 7 General Election saw Whitmire, a stalwart of Texas politics and the longest-serving senator, secure 43.04% of the votes. Jackson Lee, equally tenured and a trailblazer in her own right, captured 34.83%. Both emerged as frontrunners in a race crowded with 18 mayoral hopefuls.

Senator Whitmire, a Houston native and alumni of the University of Houston, has had a distinguished career in public service. His trajectory to political prominence began at Waltrip High School and was catalyzed by a decade-long tenure as a State Representative before ascending to the Senate, thanks to a vacancy left by Bob Ogg.

Conversely, Jackson Lee's journey from New York to Houston’s political arena paints a portrait of perseverance and dedication. Her storied career commenced at Yale University, continued through the University of Virginia Law School, and found her breaking barriers in Houston’s judicial system, eventually leading to her tenure as a U.S. Repre- sentative.

Historically, the momentum from the general to the run-off has been a reliable indicator of success, a trend both candidates hope to embody. With Houston’s last Republican mayor, Jim McConn, having reversed a deficit to claim victory in December, the stage is set for a potentially transformative election.

As Houstonians prepare to cast their ballots, the city anticipates a demo- cratic exercise that will shape its future. With early voting open, the question of who will lead Houston into its next chapter hangs in the balance, ready to be answered by the electorate.

For more info, visit www.HarrisVotes.com