"John Whitmire emerges victorious, becoming Houston's new mayor"

Democratic state Sen. John Whitmire has been elected as the next mayor of Houston, defeating US Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee in a runoff. Whitmire, who has represented the city for 50 years, campaigned on reducing crime, improving infrastructure, and fostering unity. He outspent Jackson Lee, who faced challenges due to an unverified audio recording of her berating staff. Whitmire's victory among early voters secured his win. Houston, America's fourth-largest city, will now be led by Whitmire, who plans to address the city's challenges and showcase its potential. Jackson Lee thanked her supporters and expressed her commitment to working with Whitmire.