Houston's Mayoral Runoff: A Demographic Split and the Future of Whitmire and Jackson Lee

The upcoming mayoral election in Houston, the fourth-largest city in the US, is a significant race that highlights the progressive-versus-centrist divide. The two candidates in the runoff are both Democrats: Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee, who has emphasized her ties to national Democrats, and state Sen. John Whitmire, who presents himself as a tough-on-crime pragmatist. Whitmire has a financial advantage and is leading in the polls, with support from Republicans and independents. However, Jackson Lee has strong support among Black voters, while Whitmire may gain an edge with Latino voters. The outcome will depend on voter turnout and mobilization efforts.