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After what has arguably been the most important political race in recent years for Houston, the city has chosen Democratic State Senator John Whitmire to serve as its new mayor as he triumphed Saturday over U.S. Representative Sheila Jackson Lee.

Whitmire, a seasoned Texas lawmaker with five decades of representation for Houston, now takes the reins of the nation’s fourth-largest city. His campaign was centered on promises to tackle crime, enhance urban infrastructure, and unite the residents of Houston.

His campaign doled out the big bucks, with his “war chest” surpassing the campaign funds of Jackson Lee, who was aspiring to become Houston’s first African American female mayor.

On top of lower fundraising, Jackson Lee faced scrutiny due to public controversies.

One challenge her campaign faced began in October, when an unverified audio recording, allegedly featuring her speaking harshly to staff members, was released. The audio leak went viral, with the congresswoman’s profanity-laced conversation made national headlines, with even Whoopi Goldberg and other “The View” talk show hosts sounding off.

A key factor in Whitmire’s victory was his commanding lead in early voting, where he led by a considerable 30 percentage points.

During his victory speech at a downtown convention center, Whitmire expressed his enthusiasm and readiness to address Houston’s significant challenges. He emphasized the need for unity and collaboration to overcome these hurdles, viewing them as opportunities to showcase Houston’s potential to the nation.

Conversely, Jackson Lee, at her own election night gathering, expressed gratitude to her supporters and respect for Whitmire. She indicated her willingness to collaborate with the new mayor and hinted at a forthcoming announcement regarding her congressional re-election plans.

The road to the runoff for Whitmire and Jackson Lee involved surpassing a large group of nearly 20 candidates in the initial November 7th election. Both highlighted their extensive political experience as key qualifications for leading Houston, which faces issues like rising crime, deteriorating infrastructure, and budget constraints.

Whitmire’s political journey began in the Texas Legislature in 1973, serving primarily as a state senator. Jackson Lee has been a congressional representative for Houston since 1995 and previously held a position on the city council.

As the oldest big city mayor in the U.S., Whitmire will lead a city with a youthful demographic, evidenced by census figures showing a median age of around 35 and a significant portion of the population under 18.

The new mayor faces the task of navigating state government laws regarding local election control and regulatory powers. Whitmire succeeds Mayor Sylvester Turner, who is stepping down after eight years due to term limits.

Houston’s diversity is a defining characteristic under Whitmire’s leadership, with a population comprising 45% Latino, 23% Black, and 24% white, and a notable portion of residents born outside the U.S.

As the “energy capital of the world,” Houston’s economy has been traditionally linked to the oil industry. However, there is a shift towards leading in cleaner energy solutions. Like other major U.S. cities, Houston confronts challenges related to affordable housing and the widening economic divide.

While Whitmire celebrated Jackson Lee graciously thanked her supporters for their support during the hard-fought race.