} Houston police are asking a bystander who shot a man 9 times and killed him while he was in the act of robbing people inside a Houston restaurant to come forward for questioning. Senator John Whitmire represents the 15th Senatorial District comprised of north Houston and parts of Harris County. Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? His tenure earns him the title of Dean of the Senate. Last year, Whitmire voted for a GOP-backed bail bill that limits the opportunity for defendants to be released on no-cost personal bonds and gives judges more information about a defendants criminal history when setting bail. The measure died after nearly every Democrat in the House voted against it, denying the two-thirds support needed to pass. } [5] Whitmire's political science professor Richard Murray was the one to inspire him to run for office as he illustrated the newly drawn district lines that encompassed Whitmire's neighborhood. I want you to tell Houstonians that help is on the way.. Next week, they will likely be the former Board officers. This is what the Whitmire Campaign for Mayor put out yesterday: John Whitmire Receives Endorsement. [3] He is married to Rebecca Dalby. John Whitmire speaking at his mayoral announcement. State Sen. John Whitmire opted out of collecting a $140,000 annual pension courtesy of a new amendment that was added into the state employee retirement system in the last regular legislative session. } City officials waited nearly eight hours to notify the public, and never activated the emergency alert system until the notice was lifted Tuesday morning. This campaign finance report was filed by state Senator John Whitmire back on October 31, 2022, and shows state Senator John Whitmire with $9,503,981.46 in contributions in his campaign coffers . He also served as the Acting Governor of Texas in 1993[2] as part of the Governor for A Day tradition. We are not New York or Chicago. if(document.getElementsByClassName("reference").length==0) if(document.getElementById('Footnotes')!==null) document.getElementById('Footnotes').parentNode.style.display = 'none'; .succession-table th, .succession-table tr { font-weight: bold; There are people who like the status quo. width: 100% !important; If youd like to become one of the people were financially accountable to, click here to subscribe. }); What's on my ballot? background-color: grey; "We want to see somebody that can have a true impact on the city. .votebox_legend { .outer_percentage { Whitmire already has huge support from some very important figures, including former Houston PoliceChief Art Acevedo and Houston billionaire and philanthropist Tilman Fertitta. They were later pardoned by the Governor. Money is not everything, as we saw in the Harris County judges race, where the Republican candidate outraised the incumbent by 5-to-1, nearly 6-to-1, Sims said. John looks at things the right way and isnt partisan when it comes to doing the right thing.. border: 1px solid #999; } top: 2px; border:1px solid #FFB81F; .votebox-results-cell--number { --title-background: #334aab; [3], In his early teenage years, he moved to North Houston and attended Waltrip High School. In the Senate, Whitmire is best known for his work on criminal justice and public safety. During that election cycle, Whitmire raised a total of $970,826. .widget-row.value-only.black { width: 35px !important; Leah is a cat mom to a sweet tabby and enjoys retail therapy. margin-top: 0px; One, we dont want to. In 2018, the Texas State Legislature did not hold a regular session. In 2020, a U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development audit flagged Houstons slow pace in administering Hurricane Harvey recovery funds, prompting the federal agency to shift control of the recovery and rebuild efforts to the Texas General Land Office. I want you to tell the firemen and the policemen that help is on the way. On Nov. 7, 2006, Whitmire won re-election to the 15th District Seat in the Texas State Senate, defeating opponent Angel DeLaRosa (R). } Resources like these are made possible by the generosity of our community of donors, foundations, and corporate partners. We fix our problems.. 100% remote. font-style: italic; If you'd like to sign up now, fill out the form below and we will add you as soon as we finish the transition. width: 100%; The top contenders have raised $5.5 million, with another full year of fundraising ahead of them. Known as a can do public servant, John often says, "Houston is not New York or Chicago we areHouston. } Whitmire (Democratic Party) ran for re-election to the Texas State Senate to represent District 15. } Previously he was a member of the Texas House of Representatives from 1973 through 1982.

color:white !important; We can fix our problems. text-align: left; .contact_office { margin-top: 0.3em; margin-bottom: 0em;margin-right: 0.5em;} **Please note** If you are already signed up for the newsletter, you do not need to sign up again. City officials waited nearly eight hours to notify the public, and never activated the emergency alert system until the notice was lifted Tuesday morning. top: -5px; margin-top: 1em; 1239 - Coat of arms of Munich in use. General District Capitol. The senator contacted the Texas Department of Criminal Justice and asked the agency to end the practice of last meal requests or he would get the State Legislature to pass a bill doing so. [3] Whitmer also came under criticism from watchdog groups and colleagues for hiring a friend as a consultant to the Criminal Justice Committee. max-width: 75px; @media (max-width:600px) { .votebox-results-cell--check { .leg-hnt-flex-item { Prior to his election to the state senate, Whitmire was a member of the Texas House of Representatives from 1973 to 1982.[1]. for Tuesdays event included many Republicans such as retiring state Rep. Dan Huberty (R-Humble) and real estate developer Dick Weekley. .cfheader.green { } color: black; display: none; p.survey-question {font-weight:bold;} Sign up for The Brief, our daily newsletter that keeps readers up to speed on the most essential Texas news. "I will be tough but smart on crime, keep our economy growing and ensure city services are working for all Houstonians. Whitmire, the longest-tenured member of the Texas Senate, has joined a Houston mayoral race that includes Amanda K. Edwards, Chris Hollins and Lee Kaplan. Who will replace the school board members? His bill-passing expertise and warm ties to the GOP. } font-weight: 500; Former Harris County Clerk Chris Hollins, former Houston City Council member Amanda Edwards and businessman Lee Kaplan are also running for Houston mayor. .inner_percentage { (Contributed photo) State Sen. John Whitmire said he plans to run for mayor of Houston in 2023, after the next biennial session of the Texas Legislature. --subtitle-background: #334aab; During that election cycle, Whitmire raised a total of $1,360,871. Adv. } Your subscription will be migrated over. display: block; background-color: #f9f9f9; } display: table; The longest-serving member of the Texas Senate, Democrat John Whitmire is the first of the now four candidates to announce his run for mayor. Meet John. Campaign finance reports as of January 3, 2023; Candidate Raised Amanda Edwards $1,100,000 Chris Hollins $1,400,000 Lee Kaplan $1,300,000 John Whitmire Incumbent John Whitmire defeated Randy Orr and Gilberto Velasquez Jr. in the general election for Texas State Senate District 15 on November 6, 2018. A special session was called for May 31 through June 29.[9]. display: inline-block; In other controversies, Turner opposed a voter-approved pay parity measure for the citys firefighters, and the citys lawsuit to prevent implementation of the measure remains pending before the states Supreme Court. Incumbent John Whitmire defeated Damian Lacroix and Hank Segelke in the Democratic primary for Texas State Senate District 15 on March 6, 2018. General District Capitol. The atmosphere was more victory . .widget-row.value-only { } }. box-sizing: border-box; In the hotel's reception room, Whitmire's first words to . .votebox-scroll-container { .results_row.winner { John Whitmire did not complete Ballotpedia's 2022 Candidate Connection survey. 1255 - City becomes ducal residence of Upper Bavaria. width: 43%; [6], Whitmire raised $1,072,000 while DeLaRosa raised $12,808.[7]. FOX 26's Gabby Hart spoke with local criminal defense attorney Price Brown about if the . Office: State Senate (TX) - District 15, Democratic Track This Politician. He is running for re-election this year and said he plans to run for mayor of Houston in 2023. .top_disclaimer { .electionsectionheading { Whitmire and his wife, Becki, have two children: Whitney and Sarah. Earlier this year, William Paul-Thomas, a senior aide to Turner, pled guilty to federal public corruption charges and resigned. color: white; event.srcElement.innerText = '[show]'; Campaign. background-color: grey; } font-size: 2em; [10], In 2021, Whitmire stirred controversy by responding to questions about the lack of air conditioning in prisons by saying: You know, we can talk about this all day, its not gonna change. $(".collapse-all").on('click', () => { .cftable td { } .cfheader.republican { "They know if I'm mayor it's going to be fair, transparent, honest and play no favorites.". .results_row td:first-child { event.srcElement.innerText = '[hide]'; 1158 - Duke Henry the Lion builds bridge, mint, and salt-depot. Updated 10hrs ago. a.communitylink { color:black; font-weight:bold; } Democratic State Sen. John Whitmire, D-Houston, announced Wednesday that he would be running for the mayor of Houston in 2023. .results_row {

   background-color: #db0000 !important; .cfheader.democratic { 	.mw-body #mw-content-text .votebox .race_header h3.votebox-header-office-name { 	width: 150px; 		padding-top: 3px; Hollins reported a $1.1 million haul during the first five months of his campaign, while Edwards took in about $789,000 in a shorter span. Besides supporting law enforcement officers, he said he would also take a holistic approach to improving the criminal justice system including offering more resources to the court system and the crime lab. }) 	background-color: #f9d334; Staff. } Tilman Fertitta, billionaire investor and owner of the Houston Rockets basketball team, introduced Whitmire, and while not mentioning incumbent term-limited Mayor Sylvester Turner by name, referenced several controversies under Turners leadership. 1240 - Otto II Wittelsbach in power. by James Barragn "I'm John Whitmire, a public servant, and I go where I'm called. $('.pastResponses').show(); 	width: 250px; He has spent his adult life working for Houstonians in our state's Capitol and now John is running for Houston Mayor. Data Explanation Editorial Lobbying Money Myths .  He also referenced his history of working with both sides of the aisle and holding his committee chairmanship under Republican leadership. Houston attorney weighs in on customer shooting, killing taqueria robber. 	.race_footer { 	} How to vote | 			document.getElementById('leg-hnt-content64038e9c5b59e').classList.remove('leg-hnt-hide'); Prior to that, he served 10 years in the Texas House of Representatives.  There were no incumbents in this race. } As the dean of the Texas Senate, he would almost certainly lock up most of the big-name political endorsements on offer in Houston and across the state. He joined the Hearst Austin bureau in 2021 after nearly three years as a City Hall reporter for the Chronicle and a prior stint covering Bexar County for the Express-News. complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. Fertitta, who chairs the Houston Police Foundation, a nonprofit formed by business leaders that supports the Houston Police Department, is serving as Whitmires campaign finance chair. 
   background-color: black !important; Senate seat will be on the ballot in 2032, and the next Governor's race would be in 2034. Would Rep. Dutton consider doing what the mayor is proposing, writing a new law that says its not mandatory for the state to take over? Whitmire said his campaign is motivated by his desire to solve a variety of problems that he has personally witnessed in Houston including homelessness, illegal dumping, rising crime and inefficient city services. 		border: 1px solid #aaa; During that election cycle, Whitmire raised a total of $1,137,788. Sims said Whitmires war chest gives him an edge, but one that is surmountable for the other candidates. 	} .panel-heading:hover { cursor: pointer;} 	.leg-hnt-responsive-columns { The impending takeover of HISD by the TEA dates back to 2019, when Wheatley High School triggered a state law by failing to meet accountability standards for seven consecutive years. He ultimately returned to the legislature, creating a quorum and undoing the efforts of the rest of the Texas Eleven. Since 1983, he has represented District 15, which includes much of northern Houston, Texas. 	.race_header { State Sen. John Whitmire formally launched his campaign for Houston mayor Tuesday evening with a fundraiser at the ritzy Post Oak Hotel, attended by dozens of the city's political luminaries  including the hotel's billionaire owner, Tilman Fertitta, and several other Republican mega-donors who are opening their checkbooks for Whitmire, a moderate Democrat. 	} He noted some courtrooms were still closed despite nearly 2,000 murder suspects awaiting trial and more than 900 suspects out on bond for murder or capital murder. 	} Ron Hale was unopposed in the Republican primary, while incumbent John Whitmire defeated Damian LaCroix in the Democratic primary. 		font-size: 12px; Importance: More Important Reference: Analysis of answers from 302 voters that voted for John Whitmire in the 2018 Texas District 15 State Senate election. | The signature filing deadline for candidates wishing to run in these elections was December 9, 2013. 	.leg-hnt-title { I can tell you this. 	} 	} .widget-key { As a former Houston city councilmember, I know city governments job is to provide core basic services, Rodriguez said. In 1392 John initiated a new partition of Bavaria since he refused to finance the Italian adventures of his brothers . Im not going to get into squabbles with other elected officials about what the numbers are, but the bottom line is we have a crime issue in Houston, Harris County, he said at the fundraiser. In 2011, the Texas State Legislature was in its 82nd legislative session from January 11 through May 30. 	.votebox_legend .non_result_row { 5:04 PM Dec 5, 2022 CST The announcement confirmed a move that was rumored for months and made Whitmire the first candidate to publicly announce his intention to succeed Sylvester Turner as the mayor of the state's most populous city. National Federation of Independent Business in Texas, Texas Tribune Guest Column: Mark P. Jones, John Buntin, "The Correctionists," October 2010, https://ballotpedia.org/wiki/index.php?title=John_Whitmire&oldid=8769085, Conflicts in school board elections, 2021-2022, Special Congressional elections (2023-2024), 2022 Congressional Competitiveness Report, State Executive Competitiveness Report, 2022, State Legislative Competitiveness Report, 2022, Partisanship in 2022 United States local elections.  	} Theres people that like the city is operating because they are profiting real well. The Fund allowed the contract to expire following public scrutiny. The event comes roughly a year after Whitmire told supporters at a campaign rally that he planned to run for mayor. 	    height:  300,  Vote: John Whitmire voted Nay (Passage) - SB 260 - Amends Regulations Related to Immigration and Refugee Affairs 06/15/2011. 		background-color: #f9d334; Campaign Website. 	float: right; She received about 42 percent of the vote, giving the longtime Democrat his narrowest win since the early 1990s. John Whitmire ( Democratic Party) is a member of the Texas State Senate, representing District 15. 		} else { John Whitmire's Finances . 	} Whitmire won re-election to the 15th District Seat in the general election on November 2, 2010, defeating Republican Bill Walker.  } 	} For elections to federal offices, complete data can be found at the FEC website. Fertitta previously attracted attention for contributing more than $100,000 to Donald Trumps re-election bid. A scorecard evaluates a legislators voting record. Campaign Website. Click here for an overview of legislative scorecards in all 50 states.  On October 26, 2010, Governing magazine named Whitmire and Texas Representative Jerry Madden as two of eight "Public Officials of the Year" for their work on reforming the Texas correctional system. Earlier this year, William Paul-Thomas, a senior aide to Turner, In addition to a fundraising advantage, Whitmire  although a,  appears to be drawing support from both sides of the political aisle. The prisons are hot. 	word-wrap: break-word; 		font-size: 12px; 
 		padding-left: 0; 		left: 0; . To see all bills sponsored by this person, click on the legislator's name in the title of the table. } A free bi-weekly commentary on current events by Konni Burton. 		margin-right: 12px; [3], Whitmire won reelection to the state Senate in the general election held on November 6, 2018. Credit- Sophie Park/The Texas Tribune Senator John Whitmire today expressed his gratitude for the endorsement of the Texas Gulf Coast Area Labor Foundation, AFL-CIO in the Houston mayor's race. Whitmire was not up for election to the Texas State Senate in 2004. 	} 	clear: both; 	.race_header.libertarian { 		padding: 2px 0; 		display: block; The John Whitmire Campaign for Houston Mayor raised $1,148,015 from supporters in less than one month between the 2022 General Election and the legislative fundraising moratorium. } The two candidates participated in a virtual discussion on Tuesday night where Whitmire touted his seniority and experience while Cook billed herself as a more progressive grassroots alternative. .widget-row.Democratic { Whitmire's track record as a. He told the Houston Chronicle that he intends to run for reelection to the Senate in 2022, serve in the 2023 legislative session and then run for mayor in November that year. One of those senators is John Whitmire, a Democrat from Houston, and the longest-serving member of the Democratic caucus. Exclusive: Abbott explains push against diversity hiring programs, Texas wants to ban delta-8, but veterans are pushing back, The Breakfast Klub sues prominent City Hall consultant for fraud, UH, Texas A&M removing DEI statements from hiring practices, Galveston gets fourth Carnival Cruise Line, Lauren Daigle at Houston Rodeo: 'God always has your number', Bun B, Badu, J.J. Watt celebrate RodeoHouston Southern Takeover, Houston is the most stressful city to work in, says new study, Man dead, person arrested after suspected homicide in League City, Houston mayoral contenders rake in millions in campaign cash, setting new bar for early fundraising, expected to start the race with a massive financial advantage over the rest of the field, Ahead of mayoral bid, state Sen. John Whitmire faces unexpected test in Senate primary, cast herself as a more progressive alternative, Texas GOP may censure Tony Gonzales over gay marriage, gun votes, Rep. Joaquin Castro's health plan points to a new Texas trend, Rep. Joaquin Castro diagnosed with cancer, undergoes surgery, Texas House Speaker appoints committee for gun legislation, Santa Fe families still denied video, records from 2018 shooting. Texas Senator John Whitmire announced he will be running for mayor in 2023, kicking off his campaign Wednesday. "As Houston's first African-American police chief and mayor, I am proud to endorse Senator John Whitmire to be Houston's next mayor," said Former Mayor Brown. Strong leadership and commitment to public service defines John Whitmire. State Sen. John Whitmire speaks during a campaign rally last year in Houston. Each year since 1994, Governing has selected a handful of state and local officials to honor for standout job performance. Whitmire won re-election to the Texas State Senate in 2012. To contribute to the list of Texas scorecards, email suggestions to [email protected]. John Harris Whitmire (born August 13, 1949) is an American attorney and politician who is the longest-serving current member of the Texas State Senate.Since 1983, he has represented District 15, which includes much of northern Houston, Texas.His tenure earns him the title of Dean of the Senate. Office. Her father had been active in precinct-level politics, and the family frequently talked about local political issues. 	    backImage: "flat", 		left: 0px; Whitmire was born in Hillsboro north of Waco, Texas, to James Madison Whitmire, the Hill County clerk, and the former Ruth Marie Harris, a nurse. Whitmire is Texas Senate's longest-serving member, and his plans include running for reelection to the Senate in 2022, serving in the 2023 legislative session, and then running for mayor in November that year, as reported by the Houston Chronicle. When you had a strong mayor form of government and when you are the mayor in this city, you run this city. Leah joined Community Impact Newspaper in October 2022 as a city hall reporter where she covers policy on the hyper-local level. 	.leg-hnt-section-title { Whitmire said that this was Brewer's attempt to "make a mockery out of the process." Whitmire's first mayoral campaign finance report, filed Tuesday, shows $1.1 million in new donations between his formal campaign launch in November and the end of the year. 	} During his remarks, Whitmire said he faced opposition from those who like the status quo.. Biography  Standing next to a display that referred to the region as the "Murder Capital of Texas," state Sen. John Whitmire (D-Houston) and Harris County Deputies Organization (HCDO) President David Cuevas called for county leaders to address crime and provide more resources for law enforcement. .infobox p { Campaign Website. 		width: 100%; John Whitmire (Democratic Party) is a member of the Texas State Senate, representing District 15. 		margin: 0px 10px; 	padding-left: 10px; State Sen. John Whitmire on Wednesday was leading in the . FOX 26 Political Reporter Greg Groogan spoke with John Whitmire, Dean of the Texas Senate. 		margin-bottom: 4px;  	font-weight: bold; 	.race_header.republican { Whitmire has. 		break-inside: avoid-column; document.getElementById('leg-hnt-toggle64038e9c5b59e').addEventListener('click', event => { Notifications can be turned off anytime in the browser settings. 

[3] He began his law studies at the Bates College of Law, then passed the bar in 1981 while still serving in the House. margin-bottom:16px; overflow-x: scroll; .non_result_row { .non_result_row th { The results have been certified. Whitmire defeated Hale in the general election. Later, both Houston and Harris County were temporarily excluded from receiving relief funds. Whitmire, the longest-serving member of the Texas Senate, already has $9.5 million in his state campaign account, according to his most recent filing. State Sen. John Whitmire Announces Run for Houston Mayor in 2023 Election, Longtime state Sen. John Whitmire (D-Houston) formally launched his campaign for Houston mayor Tuesday evening with promises to address myriad problems faced by the states most populous city, unveiling his campaign slogan: Fix Houston.. if (typeof $ != 'undefined') { text-align:center; margin: 0; January 21, 2022. display: inline; Interns wanted: Get paid to help ensure that every voter has unbiased election information. I love Houston, as so many of you do. } div.oneoff-scrollbox.regular { height:400px; overflow:scroll; margin:20px; padding:10px; border:1px solid gray; } In addition to a fundraising advantage, Whitmire although a staunch Democrat appears to be drawing support from both sides of the political aisle. width: 350px; }. } font-weight: 200; text-align: center; John Whitmire Campaign (State Cmte) Johnson Victory PAC (State Cmte) Johnson for Congress: Joseph Sanchez for New Mexico (State Cmte) Josh Hawley for Senate: Juan J. Chuy Hinojosa Campaign (State Cmte) Kaptur for Congress: Karlins, Michael J. Kay Ivey for Governor, Inc. Keel, Thornton J. I am thinking the GOP is biting off a bit more than they can chew on this call. | flex-wrap: wrap; z-index:1; .leg-hnt-toggle-text { The agency replied that last meal requests were accommodated "within reason" from food available in the prison kitchen, but it agreed to end the practice immediately at Whitmire's insistence. a[aria-expanded=true] .fa-chevron-right { display: none; } "We're running for mayor and we intend to win," he said at a Houston fundraiser captured by journalist Jose de Jesus Ortiz. .image-candidate-thumbnail-wrapper { Incumbent John Whitmire defeated Molly Cook in the Democratic primary for Texas State Senate District 15 on March 1, 2022. Apply today! In 2020, the Texas State Legislature was not in session. height: 56px; PO BOX 7271 HOUSTON The race for Houston mayor is starting to heat up as Sylvester Turner 's term limit ends next year. $('#candidate-connection-email-104978').on('click', () => { ga('send', 'event', 'surveycta', 'surveycta-click-email'); }); Click here to contact us for media inquiries, and please donate here to support our continued expansion. .votebox_bp_logo { width: 57%; } margin-bottom: 1px;

} } Houston Public Media is supported with your gifts to the Houston Public Media Foundation and is licensed to the University of Houston. .widget-value { Theyre uncomfortable. Its rattlesnake season in Texas. color: white; (Leah Foreman/Community Impact), Reporter, City Hall and Heights, River Oaks & Montrose. .cftable { (The Texan/Holly Hansen). $('.collapse').collapse('show'); background-color: #003388; In this, we have an open race with people who have to build their name ID from the beginning and make voters acquainted with them. background-color: #003388; John Whitmire. What will be their political backgrounds? But Whitmire expressed this is not going to hold him back because he believes he's the only candidate who has the experience and resources to handle major problems when they arise. if (document.getElementById('leg-hnt-content64038e9c5b59e').classList.contains('leg-hnt-hide')) { John Harris Whitmire [1] is an American attorney and politician who is the longest-serving current member of the Texas State Senate. Addressing a bipartisan crowd of more than 600 at Houston's Post Oak Hotel, Whitmire said he had personally . -. Here is what State Rep. Jarvis Johnson put out this morning: Lets be clear: state takeovers have never worked anywhere much less for a district as large and diverse as Houston. Houston made national news this week following a water treatment facility equipment failure that forced the city to implement a boil water notice, keeping businesses and schools closed for two days. John Harris Whitmire (born August 13, 1949)[1] is an American attorney and politician who is the longest-serving current member of the Texas State Senate. Those who donate at least seven items will receive tickets to the Rockets' Oct. 24 home game against Utah. } }

The report's staggering number, though, is the amount of cash he reports having on hand: about $10.1 million.