As the Houston mayoral election neared its conclusion, several prominent Houston political figures recently weighed in on the race. Among them was former Mayor Kathy Whitmire, a former relative of state Sen. John Whitmire, who endorsed his opponent, U.S. Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee.
Kathy Whitmire became the first woman elected to a citywide office in Houston when she won the controller’s race in 1977. She was then elected one of Houston’s youngest mayors at the age of 35 and served five two-year terms until her defeat in 1991 by longtime political powerbroker Bob Lanier.
Kathy Whitmire was married to Jim Whitmire, the late brother of John Whitmire.
But she didn’t endorse John Whitmire in this year’s mayoral race.
That’s because Kathy Whitmire also had a longtime relationship with John Whitmire’s runoff rival, Jackson Lee. In the 1980s, Kathy Whitmire appointed Jackson Lee as an associate municipal court judge, kickstarting the future congresswoman’s political career. When Jackson Lee was elected to City Council in 1989, the two women overlapped for two years before Kathy Whitmire left the mayor’s office.
Last week, Kathy Whitmire, who now lives in Hawaii, announced her endorsement of Jackson Lee’s mayoral bid, praising the longtime congresswoman’s work ethic and responsiveness to Houston communities since her council years.
“Whether at the Council table, in the Court, or working in the community, Sheila proved herself to be a hard-working and caring public servant with creative ideas to strengthen Houston’s economy and make each neighborhood safer and more livable,” Kathy Whitmire said in a statement. “I believe Sheila Jackson Lee is the best choice to lead Houston as the next mayor!”
Kathy Whitmire is not the only former Houston mayor who has recently picked their candidate of choice in this year’s election. Annise Parker, who held the city’s top position from 2010 to 2016, endorsed John Whitmire late last month.
“John Whitmire has the experience and knowledge to succeed as Mayor of Houston,” Parker said in a statement. “He understands that our city’s budget is structurally unbalanced and he isn’t afraid to make tough choices — funding only what we can afford, with a priority put on public safety, infrastructure and basic city services. I endorse John Whitmire for Mayor of Houston.”
