Houston Mayor John Whitmire says he is looking forward to working with newly elected state and county officials following Tuesday’s election, citing his longstanding relationships with several incoming leaders.
During his weekly mayor’s report Wednesday, Whitmire congratulated the winners of several major races, including Gov.-elect Gina Hinojosa, U.S. Sen.-elect James Talarico and Harris County Judge-elect Letitia Plummer.
“We’re very fortunate that many of us have relationships with the newly elected officials,” Whitmire said. “I personally have served in the legislature with the new governor-elect, and certainly the lieutenant governor. And the new attorney general and I are close friends, having served in the Senate together.”
Whitmire, who previously served in the Texas Legislature for more than four decades, said he has already begun discussions with some of the incoming officials.
“So we’ve reached out, discussed with them … collaboration. It already has begun. Houston’s in an excellent position going forward,” he said.
Whitmire also announced his support for state Rep. Senfronia Thompson, a Houston Democrat seeking to become the next speaker of the Texas House.
Thompson, who has served in the Legislature since 1973, announced her candidacy following Tuesday’s election, which saw Democrats win a majority in the Texas House.
“We have the opportunity to have a Houstonian as the new Speaker of the House,” Whitmire said. “I’ve talked to Representative Thompson. I’m publicly supporting her, helping her network certainly with urban members, but also those across the aisle.”
The speaker is selected by members of the Texas House, rather than voters, when the Legislature convenes in January.
If elected, Thompson would become the first woman and first Black lawmaker to hold the position.
Whitmire also discussed his relationship with Plummer, a former Houston City Council member who won Tuesday’s race for Harris County judge.
The mayor said the two have already spoken about continuing cooperation between Houston and Harris County.
“The collaboration is going to be strong, and Houston benefits,” Whitmire said. “Locally, the County Judge-elect and I have visited, and we’re going to continue to collaborate between the City and County.”
Plummer has also expressed interest in strengthening city-county cooperation, particularly on infrastructure projects, as she prepares to take office.
Whitmire did not announce any specific new agreements or joint initiatives during his remarks Wednesday.
“Everybody knows in Austin that I’m just a can-do guy. I don’t play politics with issues. I get things done,” Whitmire said.
