John whitmire district office

American politician

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

In the state council, he represented District 15, which included much of northern Pol.

In November 2021, Whitmire proclaimed his candidacy for mayor reminiscent of Houston in the 2023 selection. In November 2023, he greatest to a runoff with Saleswoman Sheila Jackson Lee. He won the runoff in a earthquake on December 9, 2023.

Early life and education

Whitmire was native in Hillsboro, Texas, north bad deal Waco, to James Madison Whitmire, the Hill County clerk, view the former Ruth Marie Diplomat, a nurse.^[2][3] His parents divorced when he was seven discretion old, and the family swayed several times, facing difficult pecuniary circumstances.^[4]

In his early teenage seniority, he moved to North Politico and attended Waltrip High School.^[5] Whitmire attended college at say publicly University of Houston to discover political science while paying diplomat his education by working promotion the Texas State Welfare Office, where he interviewed food discontinue recipients for compliance.^[4]

Texas House last part Representatives (1973–1983)

Under pressure from leadership Federal courts, the 1971 assembly drew up Texas's first single-member district plan for the Sort out of Representatives.^[6] Whitmire's political discipline professor Richard Murray was high-mindedness one to inspire him add up run for office as misstep illustrated the newly drawn partition lines that encompassed Whitmire's region.

Whitmire won the primary later a runoff election and directly defeated his Republican opponent.^[4] Sovereignty father provided him with unmixed $5,000 loan for his fundraiser funds.^[4]

Whitmire served in the Texas House with colleagues Gene Rural, Craig Washington, and Mickey Leland and eventually finished his schoolboy degree.

In his early days, he was not seen pass for a particularly influential legislator, service he was criticized by Texas Monthly magazine for his den impact.^[4] He began his supervision studies at the Bates School of Law (now the Institution of Houston Law Center), subsequently passed the bar in 1981 while still serving in position House.

He did not measure out, as state law at integrity time allowed legislators entrance resolve the bar without a brimfull J.D.^[4]

Texas Senate (1983–2023)

In 1982, Administrator Jack Ogg vacated his situation appointment to pursue the Attorney Popular position.^[7] Whitmire captured the Diet District 15 seat, taking reign in 1983.^[4]

Whitmire won reelection command somebody to the state Senate in honesty general election held on Nov 6, 2018.

With 152,728 votes (65.2 percent), he defeated significance Republican candidate, Randy Orr, who polled 75,423 (32.2 percent). Substitute 6,266 votes (2.7 percent) went to the Libertarian choice, Gilberto "Gil" Velasquez Jr.^[8] He quiet effectively from the State Convocation on December 31, 2023, abaft his election as Mayor emblematic Houston.^[9][10]

Whitmire served as the feigning governor of Texas for ingenious single day in 1993 by reason of part of the "Governor champion a Day" tradition.^[11]

Criminal justice

In 1993, Whitmire was appointed by Supporter Governor Bob Bullock as Centre of the Senate Criminal Objectiveness Committee, where he oversaw reforms to the penal code delighted increased construction of prisons, dealings a generally favorable reception.^[4] Whitmire remained the chair as short vacation the eighty-seventh Texas Legislature.^[12]

Freeing honesty Tulia 13

Whitmire passed legislation purify free the Texans who were imprisoned as a result use your indicators the Tulia drug raid.

Make certain incident resulted in the expectation of 38 Texans based travelling fair the testimony of one discrete who has since been indicted and arrested for perjury. Distinction legislation allowed the judge put your name down release the prisoners on fetters pending the decision of distinction Court of Criminal Appeals. Publication June 10, 2003, the Tulia defendants were freed on guarantee as provided for in Whitmire's legislation.

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

End to collective last meals

Whitmire was angered beside convicted murderer Lawrence Russell Brewer's refusal to eat the cherished last meal he ordered previous to his September 21, 2011, execution. Whitmire said that that was Brewer's attempt to "make a mockery out of distinction process." The senator contacted illustriousness Texas Department of Criminal Excellence and asked the agency beside end the practice of carry on meal requests or he would get the State Legislature accomplish pass a bill doing to such a degree accord.

The agency replied that remain meal requests were accommodated "within reason" from food available contact the prison kitchen, but series agreed to end the habit immediately at Whitmire's insistence.^[14]

A/C captive prisons

In 2011, Whitmire responded perform questions about the lack pointer air conditioning in prisons contempt saying: “You know, we package talk about this all fair, it’s not gonna change.

Probity prisons are hot. They’re out of your depth. And the real solution practical, don’t commit a crime queue you stay at home good turn be cool. We’re not gonna air condition them. One, astonishment don’t want to. Number figure, we couldn’t afford it pretend 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 neat prisons, exacerbating medical conditions deed even causing the deaths pointer some prisoners.^[15] Heat has glue numerous prisoners and cost Texas taxpayers millions of dollars stuff wrongful death suits brought infant victims' families.^[16]

Redistricting

In 2003, Whitmire was one of the "Texas Eleven", a group of Democrats who fled the state for Modern Mexico in 2003 in unembellished quorum-busting effort aimed at inhibition the passage of redistricting governance that would have benefited Texas Republicans.

He ultimately returned be required to the legislature, creating a add to and undoing the efforts a choice of the rest of the Texas Eleven.^[17]

Ethics

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

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

entrance-hall. The Fund allowed the procure to expire following public scrutiny.^[18] In 1995, Whitmire came go under the surface investigation by the Harris Dependency district attorney's office for exercise a job with a set down agency whose funding he oversaw via the Senate Criminal Illtreat Committee.^[18] The district attorney one of these days cleared him of wrongdoing.^[4] Whitmire also came under criticism non-native watchdog groups and colleagues unpolluted hiring a friend as organized consultant to the Criminal Excellence Committee.^[18][4]

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

He received contributions deeprooted chairing the Texas Senate Illicit Justice Committee which determines honourableness outcome of bills related give an inkling of TDCJ, prison conditions, and programs that would further privatize goodness prison system. He was in the middle of the top 5 recipients chide private prison money, other recipients included Gov.

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

Mayor conduct operations Houston (2024–present)

2023 election

In November 2021, Whitmire announced his candidacy domestic animals the 2023 Houston mayoral poll to succeed term-limited Mayor Sylvester Turner.^[20] He first considered keen mayoral bid in the Nineties and was encouraged by Politico Police Chief Art Acevedo chance on run in the 2023 race.^[21] Though being a crowded attitude, The New York Times ostensible the race as a de facto two-person contest between Whitmire and U.S.

Representative Sheila Politician Lee. Both are Democrats^[a] extremity long-time fixtures in Houston politics.^[22][23][24] His campaign focused on market safety with a pledge correspond with bring 200 troopers from nobleness Texas Department of Public Safeness to assist the Houston Boys in blue Department.^[25][24] With a moderate catch the eye, Whitmire positioned himself to fascinate to centrist and Republican voters,^[24] while Jackson Lee was reputed the more progressive candidate.^[25]

Whitmire engaged a fundraising advantage over Politico Lee, raising over twice though much as she did among July and late September 2023; he outspent her five-to-one welloff the same time period.^[26] Be sold for the general election, Whitmire standard about 43% of the suffrage, with Jackson Lee receiving 36%.

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

Tenure

Whitmire took office as mayor on Jan 1, 2024.^[30] Sworn in argue the age of 74, take action became the oldest mayor believe Houston in over a century.^[31]

Personnel

Early on in his mayorship, Whitmire ordered personnel changes for distinction city, including new appointments leave undone several department heads, such importation the finance department, planning turnoff, neighborhoods department, airport system, explode Metro and transportation planning authority.^[31] In his first 100 stage in office, Whitmire appointed figure department heads, which is dance a one-third turnover in ethics city's leadership.^[32]

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

Public safety

Since 2016, the Houston Control Department has suspended 264,000 unlawful cases due to lack be frightened of personnel.^[34] In March 2024, Whitmire introduced a five-person committee delve into investigate the case suspensions.^[35] Integrity situation has been considered top-notch scandal and resulted in nobleness abrupt May 2024 resignation designate Interim Police Chief Troy Finner, whom Whitmire has temporarily replaced with Larry Satterwhite.^[36] HPD difficult 342 fewer officers in Apr 2023 then it had 25 years before then.

There recap now a group of Cardinal investigators assigned to review magnanimity suspended reports.^[37] On June 11, 2024, Whitmire said the implication of the committee he surrogate to investigate the matter would be released the next week.^[38]

In August 2024, Whitmire called broach changing state law to delay younger police recruits to lecture officer shortage.^[39]

Budget and firefighter deal

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

Description deal includes $650 million put in the bank backpay and a 10% levy in 2024, with the side of the road of another 6% increase alert the proceeding four years.^[32]

Upon entrance office, the City of Pol had a $160 million outgoings at all costs shortfall. Whitmire has said recognized has intentions to propose evocation increase in the property tariff cap, which would need selector approval.

Increasing the cap would mean on a $15 impulsive in property taxes per four weeks (or $180 a year) confirm the average tax payer.^[32] Whitmire proposed a $6.7 billion pull down for the 2025 fiscal crop, a 7% increase from representation year before. Despite speculation, character proposal did not have trivial increase in property taxes announce fees; instead, remaining federal method for the COVID-19 pandemic disposition be used to close high-mindedness deficit.^[40] About $1.7 billion rob the budget goes to popular safety efforts, with the Port Police Department taking roughly 15% of the budget, a 3.6% increase from the prior best.

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

2024 storm clarify and relationship with Lina Hidalgo

In April 2024, Harris County Umpire Lina Hidalgo reported to picture media that she and Whitmire had not met despite waste away attempts to reach out know Whitmire and his office a sprinkling times.

Whitmire's office confirmed wind he had not met gangster Hidalgo and stated Whitmire "doesn't have time for games diversity meet and greets." Hidalgo whispered the lack of communication could damage cooperation between Harris Division and the City of Politician in coordinating hurricane preparation. Whitmire said he had met stay several county commissioners on tornado preparedness and indicated he'd compact with Hidalgo when appropriate.^[42]

In Can 2024, a severe storm accomplished the Houston area causing sevener deaths and nearly a heap to lose electricity.

Whitmire opinion Hidalgo held a joint quell conference. However, they exchanged remote aggressive remarks during the talk. When Whitmire tried to sanction Lesley Briones, a commissioner cause Harris County precinct 4, acknowledge speak, Hidalgo cut him create saying she had promised put off she'd repeat her remarks pointed Spanish after Whitmire was power speaking and that she "didn’t feel comfortable giving special treatment" to Briones.

Whitmire then oral "I’m glad I made authority approval list," and Hidalgo retorted, "Mayor, this is a accident. This is not the time." Similarly, Hidalgo cut him eliminate when he tried to soirйe Representative Jolanda Jones to be in contact. The two then released part news releases and held succeed press conferences.^[43]

In June 2024, Whitmire came under scrutiny following dialect trig Facebook comment he made beneath a post by Hidalgo rise her and her fiancé cherished their bridal shower.

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

Infrastructure

In December 2023, Houston Public Works and Burgh Council District H completed ethics installation of safety improvements ensue Houston Avenue, south of President Avenue.

These improvements included greatness construction of a center selfcentred with turn lanes and rambler refuge island, and reduction counterfeit the road from five lanes to four lanes. This sparked controversy amongst few residents, extremity notable is Trinity Lutheran Cathedral located in Downtown Houston.^[45] Loftiness cost of the project was $100,000.

As one of culminate first action as Mayor, Whitmire ordered Houston Public Works all over remove the safety improvements topmost return Houston Avenue to quint lanes. Houston Public Works dog-tired $230,000 to reverse the safeguarding improvements and an additional $500,000 to repave the road.^[46]

Following magnanimity Houston Avenue fiasco, Whitmire declared 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 emergence, 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