Update – September 23, 2009 - HAABGF announces new endorsements – Jeff Downing for District A and support of the Constitutional ammendment to make the University of Houston a Tier 1 Institution.
UPDATE – September 14, 2009 – Please see the new candidates listed below. The new candidates on the list are marked in green. Also, the entire list is re-ordered to reflect the actual ballot positions for November 3. New links are added for some candidates who were already listed.
Houstonians will go to the polls on November 3, 2009, to decide who will represent them for all City of Houston elective offices. Below, you will find a description of each position and the names of the candidates running for each office. If we could find a website with information about the candidate, you can click on his or her name for a link.
The Houston Apartment Association Better Government Fund makes endorsements and contributes to candidates. Any endorsements made thus far will be noted by a * next to their name. Incumbents are denoted with an (i).
Check back at this blog for updates as the elections near. Also, check out the October edition of ABODE for more detailed information about the candidates.
The City of Houston has a “strong mayor” form of Government, which means that unlike other municipalities, Houston’s mayor acts as the CEO of the City. The Mayor oversees day to day operations, appoints department heads and is the sole decider of what makes it on the Agenda for council consideration. The position of Mayor is currently held by Bill White, who is term limited and thus must leave office.
Peter Brown Amanda Ulman (not official site) Luis Ralph Ullrich, Jr. (not official site) Dan Cupp Roy Morales Annise Parker Gene Locke* (press release regarding this endorsement) ControllerHouston has a Controller who acts as the city’s chief financial officer. The Controller also has the ability to audit city departments and processes. Annise Parker is the current Controller but is term limited and thus must leave office.
M. J. Khan Ronald C. Green Pam Holm City CouncilA 14 member City Council votes weekly on issues. Council Members may either be elected to one of five “at large” seats (city-wide) or one of nine ”district” seats (geographical districts).
At Large 1
This seat is currently held by Council Member Peter Brown, who is running for another seat.
Don Cook Herman Litt Lonnie Allsbrooks Stephen C. Costello* Karen Derr Rick Rodriguez Kenneth Perkins Brad J. BatteauAt Large 2
This seat is currently held by Council Member Sue Lovell who may serve two more years (one more term) before she is bound by term limits.
Sue Lovell (i)* Andrew C. Burks, Jr. (not official site) Roslyn “Rozzy” Shorter M. Griff GriffinAt Large 3
This seat is currently held by Council Member Melissa Noriega. She has four more years (two more terms) before she is bound by term limits.
At Large 4
This seat is currently held by Council Member Ronald Green who is term limited.
C.O. “Brad” Bradford Deborah Shafto (not official site) Noel Freeman Curtis GarmonAt Large 5
This seat is currently held by Council Member Jolanda Jones. She is completing her first term on council, she could run for another two terms before she is term limited.
Carlos A. Obando Jack Christie Davetta Daniels Jolanda “Jo” Jones (i)*This seat is currently held by Council Member Toni Lawrence. Lawrence is term limited. District A is a battleship shaped district that covers much of the Northwest side of Houston, from North of I-10 to West of I-45.
Alex Wathen Brenda Stardig Jeff Downing* Lane Lewis Darrell J. Rodriguez Bob Schoellkopf Amy PeckThis seat is currently held by Council Member Jarvis Johnson. Johnson may run for two more terms on Council before he is term limited. District B is located in the central northern side of Houston. It hugs around District H and to include areas just northeast of Downtown, the Greenspoint area and Bush Intercontinental Airport.
Roger F. Bowden Jarvis Johnson (i)*
This seat is currently held by Council Member Anne Clutterbuck. Clutterbuck may run for one more term before she is term limited. District C encompasses a portion of Houston’s southwest side (northwest of Highway 59) and around Bellaire and West University.
Anne Clutterbuck (i)* Randy LockeThis seat is currently held by Council Member Wanda Adams. Adams could run for two more terms before being term limited. The south central region of Houston makes up District D, including Hiram Clarke, Midtown/Montrose areas, and the Texas Medical Center.
Otis Jordan Larry McKinzie Anthony Brent Donovan Wanda Adams (i)*
This seat is currently held by Council Member Mike Sullivan. Sullivan could run for two more terms before he is term limited. District E is the most geographically diverse of the Houston City Council Districts, including Kingwood, an area off the I-10 east Freeway, the Southbelt/Ellington region, and Clear Lake.
Phillip Wayne Garrison, II Mike Sullivan (i)*
This seat is currently held by Council Member M. J. Khan. Khan is term limited. District F encompasses much of the Southwest Houston area, including Sharpstown, Gulfton and Alief.
Robert Kane Mike Laster Al Hoang Peter Acquaro Khalid Khan Joe Chow Lewis CookThis seat is currently held by Council Member Pam Holm. Holm is term limited. District G is made up of a long narrow stretch of the City running from Highway 6 to River Oaks and mostly located between I-10 and Westheimer.
Richard Sedita Dexter Handy Oliver Pennington* George Foulard Mills WorshamThis seat was vacated by Adrian Garcia, who was elected as County Sherriff. A special election was held May 9, resulting in a June 13 runoff, which was won by Council Member Ed Gonzalez. District H incorporates areas north and northwest of Downtown Houston. The I-45 area, the Heights and a small outlying portion of the East End are all part of District H.
Ed Gonzalez (i)*This seat is currently held by Council Member James Rodriguez. He could run for two more terms before he is term limited. District I covers the East End, most of Downtown and a large swath of southeast Houston to Hobby Airport.
James Rodriguez(i)*
If you have not registered to vote, you can still do so until 30 days before an election. Visit the County Registrar’s website for voter registration information.
The County Clerk has a website dedicated to election day information which includes polling locations and returns.
Here is a link to an early Houston Chronicle article describing the candidates for city offices.
The City Secretary’s website has full addresses and contact information for all candidates.
For more information on HAA’s government affairs activities or HAABGF PAC, contact HAA at 713-595-0300 and ask for Andy or Aimee.
