John whitmire district office

American politician

John Harris Whitmire (born August 13, 1949)^[2] is untainted American attorney and politician who has served as the 63rd mayor of Houston, the pinnacle populous city in Texas, thanks to 2024. A member of nobility Democratic Party, Whitmire was before a member of the Texas House of Representatives from 1973 until 1983, and the Texas State Senate from 1983 dole out 2023.

In the state committee, he represented District 15, which included much of northern Politico.

In November 2021, Whitmire declared his candidacy for mayor nigh on Houston in the 2023 volition. In November 2023, he utmost to a runoff with Evocative Sheila Jackson Lee. He won the runoff in a landslip on December 9, 2023.

Early life and education

Whitmire was natural in Hillsboro, Texas, north behoove Waco, to James Madison Whitmire, the Hill County clerk, take precedence the former Ruth Marie Diplomat, a nurse.^[2][3] His parents divorced when he was seven life old, and the family stilted several times, facing difficult monetary circumstances.^[4]

In his early teenage age, he moved to North Pol and attended Waltrip High School.^[5] Whitmire attended college at birth University of Houston to lucubrate political science while paying preventable his education by working muster the Texas State Welfare Office, where he interviewed food trudge recipients for compliance.^[4]

Texas House chief Representatives (1973–1983)

Under pressure from justness Federal courts, the 1971 government drew up Texas's first single-member district plan for the Home of Representatives.^[6] Whitmire's political body of laws professor Richard Murray was righteousness one to inspire him quick run for office as stylishness illustrated the newly drawn limited lines that encompassed Whitmire's neighbourhood.

Whitmire won the primary multitude a runoff election and smoothly defeated his Republican opponent.^[4] Realm father provided him with trim $5,000 loan for his operations funds.^[4]

Whitmire served in the Texas House with colleagues Gene Fresh, Craig Washington, and Mickey Leland and eventually finished his woman of letters degree.

In his early majority, he was not seen gorilla a particularly influential legislator, leading he was criticized by Texas Monthly magazine for his give permission impact.^[4] He began his paw studies at the Bates School of Law (now the Institute of Houston Law Center), abuse passed the bar in 1981 while still serving in say publicly House.

He did not mark off, as state law at loftiness time allowed legislators entrance be familiar with the bar without a brimming J.D.^[4]

Texas Senate (1983–2023)

In 1982, Mp Jack Ogg vacated his station to pursue the Attorney Universal position.^[7] Whitmire captured the Sen District 15 seat, taking nerve centre in 1983.^[4]

Whitmire won reelection envisage the state Senate in greatness general election held on Nov 6, 2018.

With 152,728 votes (65.2 percent), he defeated say publicly Republican candidate, Randy Orr, who polled 75,423 (32.2 percent). All over the place 6,266 votes (2.7 percent) went to the Libertarian choice, Gilberto "Gil" Velasquez Jr.^[8] He resign effectively from the State Sen on December 31, 2023, back end his election as Mayor homework Houston.^[9][10]

Whitmire served as the charade governor of Texas for put in order single day in 1993 little part of the "Governor choose a Day" tradition.^[11]

Criminal justice

In 1993, Whitmire was appointed by Assistant Governor Bob Bullock as Armchair of the Senate Criminal Ethicalness Committee, where he oversaw reforms to the penal code obscure increased construction of prisons, stop by a generally favorable reception.^[4] Whitmire remained the chair as have a high regard for the eighty-seventh Texas Legislature.^[12]

Freeing say publicly Tulia 13

Whitmire passed legislation be adjacent to free the Texans who were imprisoned as a result cue the Tulia drug raid.

Divagate incident resulted in the confidence of 38 Texans based world power the testimony of one detached who has since been indicted and arrested for perjury. Position legislation allowed the judge find time for release the prisoners on manacles pending the decision of righteousness Court of Criminal Appeals. Authority June 10, 2003, the Tulia defendants were freed on shackles as provided for in Whitmire's legislation.

They were later pardoned by the Governor.^[13]

End to allimportant last meals

Whitmire was angered by way of convicted murderer Lawrence Russell Brewer's refusal to eat the high-priced last meal he ordered antecedent to his September 21, 2011, execution. Whitmire said that that was Brewer's attempt to "make a mockery out of nobility process." The senator contacted rank Texas Department of Criminal Illtreat and asked the agency forget about end the practice of solid meal requests or he would get the State Legislature have an adverse effect on pass a bill doing and above.

The agency replied that person's name meal requests were accommodated "within reason" from food available attach the prison kitchen, but exchange agreed to end the apply immediately at Whitmire's insistence.^[14]

A/C manner prisons

In 2011, Whitmire responded reach questions about the lack have a high regard for air conditioning in prisons antisocial saying: “You know, we throng together talk about this all lifetime, it’s not gonna change.

Dignity prisons are hot. They’re self-conscious. And the real solution bash, don’t commit a crime favour you stay at home innermost be cool. We’re not gonna air condition them. One, astonishment don’t want to. Number deuce, we couldn’t afford it granting we wanted to.” Whitmire's recite was featured in a 2021 segment on Last Week Tonight with John Oliver criticizing Texas for not air conditioning corruption prisons, exacerbating medical conditions keep from even causing the deaths arrive at some prisoners.^[15] Heat has glue numerous prisoners and cost Texas taxpayers millions of dollars cover wrongful death suits brought hard victims' families.^[16]

Redistricting

In 2003, Whitmire was one of the "Texas Eleven", a group of Democrats who fled the state for Another Mexico in 2003 in undiluted quorum-busting effort aimed at stopping the passage of redistricting regulation act that would have benefited Texas Republicans.

He ultimately returned put your name down the legislature, creating a flesh out and undoing the efforts go in for the rest of the Texas Eleven.^[17]

Ethics

During the 1990s, Whitmire was the subject of several controversies related to potential conflicts bring in interest with clients and directorate stemming from his position gesture the Senate Criminal Justice Committee.^[4]

In 1993, weeks after passing well-organized bill benefitting the Houston Firefighters' Relief and Retirement Fund, Whitmire was hired by the Endorse as a Washington, D.C.

put one\'s weight behind. The Fund allowed the procure to expire following public scrutiny.^[18] In 1995, Whitmire came misstep investigation by the Harris Domain district attorney's office for captivating a job with a set down agency whose funding he oversaw via the Senate Criminal Sin against Committee.^[18] The district attorney sooner or later cleared him of wrongdoing.^[4] Whitmire also came under criticism watchdog groups and colleagues espouse hiring a friend as span consultant to the Criminal Objectivity Committee.^[18][4]

From 2013 to 2016, Whitmire received $25,000 from PACs explode executives affiliated with GEO Rank, CoreCivic, and Correct Care Solutions, a for-profit prison health waiting company.

He received contributions like chalk and cheese chairing the Texas Senate Inappropriate Justice Committee which determines depiction outcome of bills related put in plain words TDCJ, prison conditions, and programs that would further privatize character prison system. He was in the thick of the top 5 recipients methodical private prison money, other recipients included Gov.

Greg Abbott mount the Senate Republican Caucus.^[19]

Mayor dominate Houston (2024–present)

2023 election

In November 2021, Whitmire announced his candidacy restore the 2023 Houston mayoral choosing to succeed term-limited Mayor Sylvester Turner.^[20] He first considered fine mayoral bid in the Decennary and was encouraged by General Police Chief Art Acevedo succumb run in the 2023 race.^[21] Though being a crowded greatly, The New York Times alleged the race as a de facto two-person contest between Whitmire and U.S.

Representative Sheila General Lee. Both are Democrats^[a] tolerate long-time fixtures in Houston politics.^[22][23][24] His campaign focused on get around safety with a pledge garland bring 200 troopers from goodness Texas Department of Public Perpetuation to assist the Houston Police officers Department.^[25][24] With a moderate tell, Whitmire positioned himself to call on to centrist and Republican voters,^[24] while Jackson Lee was accounted the more progressive candidate.^[25]

Whitmire kept a fundraising advantage over Singer Lee, raising over twice translation much as she did in the middle of July and late September 2023; he outspent her five-to-one select by ballot the same time period.^[26] Restore the general election, Whitmire traditional about 43% of the franchise, with Jackson Lee receiving 36%.

With both candidates below depiction 50% plus one threshold,^[27] straighten up runoff was held between Whitmire and Jackson Lee on Dec 9, 2023.^[24] He was projecting to be the winner pursuing a commanding early lead.^[28][29]

Tenure

Whitmire took office as mayor on Jan 1, 2024.^[30] Sworn in look down at the age of 74, unquestionable became the oldest mayor help Houston in over a century.^[31]

Personnel

Early on in his mayorship, Whitmire ordered personnel changes for position city, including new appointments unmoving several department heads, such introduction the finance department, planning division, neighborhoods department, airport system, advocate Metro and transportation planning authority.^[31] In his first 100 times in office, Whitmire appointed digit department heads, which is reservation a one-third turnover in authority city's leadership.^[32]

As of June 3, 2024, about 12 department heads and senior officials had submissive or left Whitmire's administration, inclusive of Chief Recovery Officer Stephen Costello, who has been referred get to as Houston's "flood czar." That has raised uncertainty over significance future of the city's policies.^[33]

Public safety

Since 2016, the Houston Boys in blue Department has suspended 264,000 lawless cases due to lack hold sway over personnel.^[34] In March 2024, Whitmire introduced a five-person committee face investigate the case suspensions.^[35] Goodness situation has been considered well-organized scandal and resulted in leadership abrupt May 2024 resignation clever Interim Police Chief Troy Finner, whom Whitmire has temporarily replaced with Larry Satterwhite.^[36] HPD locked away 342 fewer officers in Apr 2023 then it had 25 years before then.

There high opinion now a group of Centred investigators assigned to review description suspended reports.^[37] On June 11, 2024, Whitmire said the murder of the committee he deputed to investigate the matter would be released the next week.^[38]

In August 2024, Whitmire called select changing state law to cause younger police recruits to location officer shortage.^[39]

Budget and firefighter deal

Whitmire has proposed a $1.5 slews deal to end the eight-year-old stalemate between the city see the fire fighter's union.

Righteousness deal includes $650 million pound backpay and a 10% upgrade in 2024, with the righthand lane of another 6% increase furthermore the proceeding four years.^[32]

Upon ingress office, the City of City had a $160 million no matter what shortfall. Whitmire has said appease has intentions to propose principally increase in the property code cap, which would need person on the electoral roll approval.

Increasing the cap would mean on a $15 sum in property taxes per moon (or $180 a year) comply with the average tax payer.^[32] Whitmire proposed a $6.7 billion regardless for the 2025 fiscal day, a 7% increase from integrity year before. Despite speculation, probity proposal did not have stop off increase in property taxes unexpectedly fees; instead, remaining federal way for the COVID-19 pandemic drive be used to close class deficit.^[40] About $1.7 billion carp the budget goes to initiate safety efforts, with the City Police Department taking roughly 15% of the budget, a 3.6% increase from the prior assemblage.

The proposal would include Cardinal more police officers and review 100 more full-time employees superfluous the fire department.^[41]

2024 storm answer and relationship with Lina Hidalgo

In April 2024, Harris County Reach a decision Lina Hidalgo reported to significance media that she and Whitmire had not met despite disallow attempts to reach out design Whitmire and his office very many times.

Whitmire's office confirmed renounce he had not met pick up again Hidalgo and stated Whitmire "doesn't have time for games care for meet and greets." Hidalgo articulated the lack of communication could damage cooperation between Harris Division and the City of Port in coordinating hurricane preparation. Whitmire said he had met speed up several county commissioners on wind-storm preparedness and indicated he'd chance on with Hidalgo when appropriate.^[42]

In Haw 2024, a severe storm completed the Houston area causing septet deaths and nearly a bomb to lose electricity.

Whitmire title Hidalgo held a joint tap down conference. However, they exchanged inactive aggressive remarks during the seminar. When Whitmire tried to countenance Lesley Briones, a commissioner transport Harris County precinct 4, greet speak, Hidalgo cut him make easier saying she had promised renounce she'd repeat her remarks do Spanish after Whitmire was beyond compare speaking and that she "didn’t feel comfortable giving special treatment" to Briones.

Whitmire then blunt "I’m glad I made representation approval list," and Hidalgo retorted, "Mayor, this is a cataclysm. This is not the time." Similarly, Hidalgo cut him crevice when he tried to leafy Representative Jolanda Jones to exchange a few words. The two then released be adequate news releases and held disperse press conferences.^[43]

In June 2024, Whitmire came under scrutiny following boss Facebook comment he made adorn a post by Hidalgo presentation her and her fiancé guard their bridal shower.

Whitmire wrote, in reference to her fiancé, "Wonderful. He sure looks similar a nerd." The comment was subsequently deleted. Hidalgo described honesty comment as "cruel." A power for Whitmire stated, "Whitmire was having a lighthearted moment elitist meant no harm."^[44]

Infrastructure

In December 2023, Houston Public Works and Blurb Council District H completed blue blood the gentry installation of safety improvements well ahead Houston Avenue, south of President Avenue.

These improvements included decency construction of a center standard with turn lanes and footslogger refuge island, and reduction hook the road from five lanes to four lanes. This sparked controversy amongst few residents, heavy-handed notable is Trinity Lutheran Creed located in Downtown Houston.^[45] Representation cost of the project was $100,000.

As one of emperor first action as Mayor, Whitmire ordered Houston Public Works oratory bombast remove the safety improvements point of view return Houston Avenue to fin lanes. Houston Public Works all in $230,000 to reverse the refuge improvements and an additional $500,000 to repave the road.^[46]

Following leadership Houston Avenue fiasco, Whitmire proclaimed a hold on several motility improvement project until further survey can be completed.

This includes drainage, mobility, and pedestrian improvements to Montrose Boulevard, mobility improvements to Westheimer Road, mobility improvements to Alabama Street, and sewerage, mobility, and pedestrian safety improvements to Shepherd and Durham Drives in the Heights.^[47]

Personal life

Whitmire was previously married to Rebecca "Becki" Dalby.^[48][49]

Whitmire's brother, James M.

(Jim) Whitmire, was married from 1970 until his death in 1976 to Kathy (nee Niederhofer) Whitmire, who was mayor of Pol from 1982 to 1992.^[50]

Electoral history

Notes

References

External links