Mayoral Debate

Commentary attended the Fox 26 mayoral debate last night that was held at the Raindrop Turkish House in Southwest Houston.  This is also an early voting location.  Folks were wearing campaign gear within the electioneering distance marker. Oh, well.

Here is from the Chron on the debate:

U.S. Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee and state Sen. John Whitmire sparred over public safety, racial relations and corruption accusations Monday evening at City Hall in the first Houston mayoral runoff debate.

Whitmire and Jackson Lee received 42.5% and 35.7% of the vote, respectively, in the general election earlier this month. With neither of them securing a majority of voter support, they are now set to compete in a runoff election on Dec. 9. 

Echoing his previous remarks, Whitmire leveled sharp criticisms at Mayor Sylvester Turner’s administration during the Monday debate hosted by FOX 26 and the American Turkish Business Council. He accused the outgoing mayor of fostering a corrupt “pay-to-play” culture in city contract procedures, pointing to the contentious Hobby Airport contract as an example. Turner has repeatedly denied these claims.

Jackson Lee, who is striving to close a projected 7% gap behind Whitmire, took aim at the state senator throughout the evening, suggesting he has done little to benefit Houston during his decades-long political career. She also cited his own controversy over potential conflict of interests involving a law firm, which Whitmire has refuted at various times.

Here is the entire read: Four takeaways from the first Houston mayoral runoff debate (houstonchronicle.com).

Cong. Sheila Jackson Lee took shot after shot at State Sen. John Whitmire throughout the entire hourlong debate. Sen. Whitmire pointed out that he has not mentioned the names of his opponents in his campaign ads.

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Today is the second day of early voting.

1,645 showed up to vote at West Gray yesterday – the most of any early voting location.

8 showed up to vote at Hobart Taylor Park Community Center – the least of any early voting location. This location is just outside Loop 610 off Wayside Drive in Northeast H-Town.

Go vote, please.