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Voters are turning out early for Houston mayoral race

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1 month ago

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More than two weeks before Election Day for the Houston mayoral race, some local voters headed to the polls in an attempt to beat the crowd.

Early voting started Monday in Harris County, where more than 60 poll locations are open. The early voting period for the city elections runs through Nov. 3, with Election Day on Nov. 7.

“I prefer to come early because when it comes the day, it’s too much people,” said voter Olimipia Rodriguez, who was among the early voters Monday. “And right now it’s better for me.”

There are 17 candidates on the ballot for the mayor’s race. Texas Sen. John Whitmire and U.S. Rep. Shelia Jackson Lee are the frontrunners, according to a recent survey by the Hobby School of Public Affairs at the University of Houston.

This year’s city elections also include races for city council seats and city controller, along with a series of local and statewide propositions on the ballot.

Amos Daniels, who voted Monday morning at the Kashmere Gardens Multi-Service Center on Lockwood Drive, said she wants the next mayor to have accountability and felt that it’s been lacking during Mayor Sylvester Turner’s tenure in office, which began in 2016.

“It would be nice if these politicians would do what they say they’re going to do,” Daniels said. “[When] Sylvester Turner came in talking about he was going to be the pothole mayor and he was going to fix all the potholes and everything. Well, I live out in this area and one day I hit a pothole. He didn’t do what he said he’s going to do.”

Daniels said that she will vote for the candidate she believes can be transparent during their tenure in the mayor’s office.

“They just need to do what they say they’re going to do,” Daniels said. “They all come in with agendas. They all band together.”

METRO, the region’s transit provider, is providing free round-trip service to the polls through the early voting period and on Election Day. Voters just need to inform the bus operator or fare inspector that they are going to or returning from the polls.

Voters must have one of seven acceptable forms of photo identification in order to vote.

Voters can still request a mail-in ballot through Oct. 27. They must be completed and sent in by Nov. 7.

Culled from the Houston Public Media

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Houston runoff elections: Tough mayoral race as early voting starts Monday

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1 week ago

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November 22, 2023

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U.S. Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee and Texas Sen. John Whitmire are headlining the runoff election this year after neither cleared the required 50 percent vote mark required to be called Houston’s next mayor.

Early voting for Houston’s runoff elections kicks off next Monday. Here’s what you should know.

Early voting begins Nov. 27 and runs through Dec. 5 before the election on Dec. 9. There will be nine races on the ballot.

Mayoral race

U.S. Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee and State Sen. John Whitmire are headlining the runoff election this year after neither cleared the required 50 percent vote mark required to be called Houston’s next mayor.

The two led a crowded race weeks ago when final ballot counts revealed that 42 percent of voters supported Whitmire and 35 percent voted for Jackson Lee. Jackson Lee and Whitmire were quick to become headbutting contenders, rising to the top of a crowded field of mayoral candidates for their legislative experience and notable endorsements.

Their months-long heated race for the seat has stayed the subject of local and national headlines after their campaigns dished out thousand of dollars in advertisements and billboards.

Gilbert Garcia came in third place in the general election with 7.2 percent of the vote, and former city councilman Jack Christie followed with 6.9 percent of the vote.

The eight other races in the runoff are for city controller and seven of the 16 seats on the Houston City Council, including four of the five at-large positions. Here’s what else is on the runoff ballot.

Other races on the ballot

City controller – Former Harris County treasurer Orlando Sanchez against former Harris County Clerk Chris Hollins

District D – Incumbent Carolyn Evans-Shabazz against Travis McGee

District G – Incumbent Mary Nan Huffman against Houston attorney Tony Buzbee

District H – Mario Castillo against Cynthia Reyes Revilla

At-large position 1 – Julian Ramirez against Melanie Miles

At-large position 2 – Willie Davis against Nick Hellyar

At-large position 3 – Richard Cantu against Twila Carter

At-large position 4 – Letitia Plummer against Roy Morales

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Houston’s Mayor, Sylvester Turner at the FITCC Event – Spectacular Photos

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4 weeks ago

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November 4, 2023

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Houston’s Mayor, Sylvester Turner, attended the Fidelity International Trade & Creative Connect (FITCC) conference where he gave an opening speech emphasizing the significance of hosting such a global event in the fourth-largest city in the United States. October 24-25, Fidelity Bank Plc. Nigeria premiered this international trade and creative fair attracting the brightest minds and industry leaders to explore the ever-evolving landscape of international trade, exports, and creative connections.

Houston’s Mayor, Sylvester Turner is being introduced to Mustafa Chike-Obi, Chairman of Fidelity Bank Nigeria by event facilitator, Linda Anukwuem.

Houston’s Mayor, Sylvester Turner is being introduced to the President of Afreximbank, Professor Benedict Oramah

To Mayor Turner, this event meant so much to his administrative agenda regarding global commerce. For instance, he just led a three-country trade mission to West Africa. He will out-serve his tenure next month, making this event his last endeavor to strengthen the City’s business ties with Africa.

Houston’s Mayor, Sylvester Turner greets the President of Afreximbank, Professor Benedict Oramah

Houston is designated as a hub for international commerce, known as the energy capital of the world, and a global leader in healthcare, aeronautics, advanced manufacturing, and innovation. Besides having the largest Nigerian population in the country, the city remains the most diverse, with over 2.5 million residents. The city also holds the largest port in the U.S. in foreign tonnage, two international airports, and the largest medical center in the world. In addition, more than 5,000 Houston companies are engaged in international business, and approximately 1,000 Houston firms report foreign ownership.

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Nigeria-based Women Group Excels at Fidelity Bank’s International Trade and Creative Fair Debut in Houston

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October 26, 2023

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Houston was set agog October 24-25 when the Fidelity Bank Plc. Nigeria unveiled its premier international trade and creative fair in Houston, Texas. The just concluded event called the “Fidelity International Trade & Creative Connect” (FITCC) attracted the brightest minds and industry leaders who swapped ideas, created trade/business partnerships, and navigated the ever-evolving landscape of international trade, exports, and creative connections.

President of AWEAA, Deborah Adebisi Odeleye (Right) and treasurer, Juliet Obi. The AWE program has been rewarded heavily for its role as a U.S. government-funded exchange program in over 100 countries, empowering women entrepreneurs by equipping them with knowledge, networks, and opportunities.

Among a long list of participants, partners, exhibitors, and supporters is the Academy for Women Entrepreneurs Alumnae Association (AWEAA), a Nigerian-based organization with a mission to empower and support women as they embark on their entrepreneurial journeys.

Enriched with inspiring women fellows of the Academy for Women Entrepreneurs program, the AWE directly supports the U.S. National Strategy on Gender Equity and Equality. At a local level, AWE harnesses the power of public-private sponsors and local partnerships to help women and their businesses attain economic growth and prosperity.

Attending the FITCC event thus offers the AWEE the opportunity to explore the global market, galvanize foreign direct investments, and create avenues to expand global outreach. According to the president of the group,

According to the President of AWEAA, Deborah Adebisi Odeleye, “We pretty much knew the importance of this event. That was why we opted for full participation. For instance, we had a booth and brought in the necessary resources to showcase our activities, goals, and potential as a global entity.”

Over 15 members of the AWAEE visited from Nigeria for this event.  Adebisi Odeleye said, “Our presence here is  to gain access to new markets. This is critical in navigating new grounds in building women’s entrepreneurship. For us, the FITCC created the opportunity for networking with fellow entrepreneurs and potential investors, thereby expanding our horizon in accomplishing our organizational mission and objectives.”

AWE program has been rewarded heavily for its role as a U.S. government-funded exchange program in over 100 countries, empowering women entrepreneurs by equipping them with knowledge, networks, and opportunities. “Our program’s alignment with the U.S. National Strategy on Gender Equity and Equality underscores our values in promoting gender equality on a global scale,” Adebisi Odeleye said.

The group’s treasurer, Juliet Obi, who equally was at the FITCC event encouraged women entrepreneurs to step forward in the world of exports and intensify their economic capacity and influence. “Global markets are enthusiastic about African products, and understand the dynamics and logistics of navigating this new territory.”

The FITCC which took place at the George R. Brown (GRB) Convention Center in Houston, presented the opportunity to harness the shared synergy of the Nigerian and US economic possibilities and created a fertile structure for business development. AWAEE supports women in scaling their businesses by providing the essential support, mentorship, and opportunities necessary for expansion.

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