Houston City Council: Difference between revisions
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{{Short description|City council for the city of Houston, Texas, United States}} |
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{{Infobox legislature |
{{Infobox legislature |
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| name = Houston City Council |
| name = Houston City Council |
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| house_type = [[Unicameral]] |
| house_type = [[Unicameral]] |
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| leader1_type = Mayor |
| leader1_type = Mayor |
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| leader1 = [[ |
| leader1 = [[John Whitmire]] |
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| party1 = ([[Democratic Party (United States)|D]]) |
| party1 = ([[Democratic Party (United States)|D]]) |
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| election1 = |
| election1 = |
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| leader2_type = Mayor Pro-tempore |
| leader2_type = Mayor Pro-tempore |
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| leader2 = |
| leader2 = Martha Castex-Tatum |
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| party2 = ([[ |
| party2 = ([[Democratic Party (United States)|D]]) |
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| leader3_type = Vice Mayor Pro-tempore |
| leader3_type = Vice Mayor Pro-tempore |
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| leader3 = |
| leader3 = Amy Peck |
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| party3 = ([[ |
| party3 = ([[Republican Party (United States)|R]]) |
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| election2 = |
| election2 = |
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| members = 16 |
| members = 16 |
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| structure1 = Houston City Council |
| structure1 = Houston City Council (as of 2024) party make up.svg |
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| structure1_res = |
| structure1_res = 250 |
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| political_groups1= |
| political_groups1= ''Officially [[Non-partisan democracy|nonpartisan]]''<br />'''Majority''' |
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* {{Color box| |
* {{Color box|{{party color|Democratic Party (United States)}}|border=darkgray}} [[Texas Democratic Party|Democratic]] (10) |
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'''Minority''' |
'''Minority''' |
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* {{Color box| |
* {{Color box|{{party color|Republican Party (United States)}}|border=darkgray}} [[Republican Party of Texas|Republican]] (6) |
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| voting_system1 = |
| voting_system1 = |
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| last_election1 = |
| last_election1 = |
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| session_res = |
| session_res = |
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| meeting_place = [[Houston City Hall]] |
| meeting_place = Council Room<br />[[Houston City Hall]] |
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| website = |
| website = |
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| footnotes = |
| footnotes = |
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}} |
}} |
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{{multiple image|total_width=270px|direction=vertical|image1=Houston City Council districts map (2014–2024).svg|caption1={{maplink|from=Houston City Council Districts (2014–2024).map|text=Interactive version}}|image2=Houston City Council districts map (2024–).svg|caption2={{maplink|from=Houston City Council Districts (2024–).map|text=Interactive version}}|footer=District map of the council in effect from 2014 until 2023 ''(top)'' and district map to be in effect from the 2023 election ''(bottom)''<ref>{{Cite web |title=On the surface, Houston's proposed city council maps barely budge, but the ground is shifting {{!}} Kinder Institute for Urban Research |url=https://kinder.rice.edu/urbanedge/surface-houstons-proposed-city-council-maps-barely-budge-ground-shifting |access-date=2022-10-15 |website=Kinder Institute for Urban Research {{!}} Rice University |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Cheng |first=Yilun |date=2022-10-12 |title=Houston approves city council redistricting plan for 2023 elections |url=https://www.houstonchronicle.com/politics/houston/article/Houston-approves-new-City-Council-redistricting-17504677.php |access-date=2022-10-15 |website=Houston Chronicle |language=en-US}}</ref>}} |
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[[File:HoustonCityHallAnnex.JPG|thumb|The Houston City Hall Annex in [[Downtown Houston]] houses the Administrative Office of City Council (AOCC)]] |
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The '''Houston City Council''' is a [[city council]] for the city of [[Houston]] in the [[U.S. state]] of [[Texas]]. |
The '''Houston City Council''' is a [[city council]] for the city of [[Houston]] in the [[U.S. state]] of [[Texas]]. |
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The Council has sixteen members: eleven from council districts and five elected at-large. The members of the Council are elected every four years, with the most recent election being held in 2023 and the next being held in 2027. All positions are up for re-election at the same time. Council Members are limited to two terms of four years.<ref>{{Cite web | title = Houston City Council | work = City of Houston | date = 2016-01-02 | access-date = 2016-03-16 | url=http://www.houstontx.gov/council/}}</ref> Under the current city charter, if the population in the city limits went past 2.1 million residents, the previous nine-member city council districts would be expanded with the addition of two city council districts.<ref>{{Cite web | title = City Council may grow by two seats, Houston Chronicle | author = Matt Stiles | work = chron.com | date = 2006-08-10 | access-date = 2009-03-27 | url = http://www.chron.com/CDA/archives/archive.mpl?id=2006_4168311}}</ref> Since the threshold was passed, the city created two new districts.<ref name="ForumCand">Foster, Robin. "[http://www.chron.com/news/article/Candidates-forum-offers-reminder-about-new-2180012.php Candidates' forum offers reminder about new districts election: Fourm{{sic|nolink=y}} provides feedback Candidates' forum offers reminder about new districts]." ''[[Houston Chronicle]]''. Tuesday September 20, 2011. Retrieved on November 5, 2011.</ref> |
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The Council works with the [[List of mayors of Houston|mayor]] in a [[mayor–council government|strong mayor-council]] model. The City Council monitors the performance of city agencies, confirm the mayor's appointments, and makes [[land use]] decisions as well as legislating on a variety of other issues. |
The Council works with the [[List of mayors of Houston|mayor]] in a [[mayor–council government|strong mayor-council]] model. The City Council monitors the performance of city agencies, confirm the mayor's appointments, and makes [[land use]] decisions as well as legislating on a variety of other issues. |
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==History== |
==History== |
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{{expand section|date=January 2012}} |
{{expand section|date=January 2012}} |
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Between the [[Reconstruction Era of the United States|Reconstruction]] and the enacting of court-ordered city council redistricting in the 1970s, none of the city council members were black.<ref name="Davis">Davis, Rod. "[http://nl.newsbank.com/nl-search/we/Archives?p_product=SAEC&p_theme=saec&p_action=search&p_maxdocs=200&p_topdoc=1&p_text_direct-0=0FCBCB6042BB9F95&p_field_direct-0=document_id&p_perpage=10&p_sort=YMD_date:D&s_trackval=GooglePM Houston's really good idea Bus tour celebrates communities that forged a city.]" ''[[San Antonio Express-News]]''. Sunday August 3, 2003. Travel 1M. Retrieved on February 11, 2012.</ref> Until 1972 all of the members of the city council were white.<ref name="Gaventaetall196">Gaventa, John, Barbara E. Smith, and Alex W. Willingham. ''Communities in Economic Crisis: |
Between the [[Reconstruction Era of the United States|Reconstruction]] and the enacting of court-ordered city council redistricting in the 1970s, none of the city council members were black.<ref name="Davis">Davis, Rod. "[http://nl.newsbank.com/nl-search/we/Archives?p_product=SAEC&p_theme=saec&p_action=search&p_maxdocs=200&p_topdoc=1&p_text_direct-0=0FCBCB6042BB9F95&p_field_direct-0=document_id&p_perpage=10&p_sort=YMD_date:D&s_trackval=GooglePM Houston's really good idea Bus tour celebrates communities that forged a city.]" ''[[San Antonio Express-News]]''. Sunday August 3, 2003. Travel 1M. Retrieved on February 11, 2012.</ref> Until 1972 all of the members of the city council were white.<ref name="Gaventaetall196">Gaventa, John, Barbara E. Smith, and Alex W. Willingham. ''Communities in Economic Crisis: Appalachia and the South''. [[Temple University Press]], 1990. [https://books.google.com/books?id=3YFPRFnuAC8C&dq=%22North+Forest+Independent+School+District%22&pg=PA196 196]. Retrieved from [[Google Books]] on October 6, 2011. {{ISBN|0-87722-650-4}}, {{ISBN|978-0-87722-650-5}}.</ref> |
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Appalachia and the South''. [[Temple University Press]], 1990. [https://books.google.com/books?id=3YFPRFnuAC8C&pg=PA196&dq=%22North+Forest+Independent+School+District%22&hl=en&ei=M8GNTp_mMce4tweGl-yYDA&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=10&ved=0CGsQ6AEwCQ#v=onepage&q=%22North%20Forest%20Independent%20School%20District%22&f=false 196]. Retrieved from [[Google Books]] on October 6, 2011. {{ISBN|0-87722-650-4}}, {{ISBN|978-0-87722-650-5}}.</ref> |
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==Members== |
==Members== |
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! align=center valign=bottom | First elected |
! align=center valign=bottom | First elected |
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! align=center valign=bottom | Party (officially nonpartisan) |
! align=center valign=bottom | Party (officially nonpartisan) |
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| [[Mike Knox (politician)|Mike Knox]] |
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| 2015 |
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| [[David W. Robinson]] |
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| 2013 |
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| Michael Kubosh |
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| 2013 |
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|-{{party shading/Republican}} |
|-{{party shading/Republican}} |
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| District A |
| District A |
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| Amy Peck |
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| 2019 |
| 2019 |
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| Republican<ref>{{cite web |last1=November 12 |first1=Genevieve Carter on |title=Harris County Republican Party Endorses Houston City Council Candidates in Runoff Elections |url=https://www.harriscountygop.com/harris_county_republican_party_endorses_houston_city_council_candidates_in_runoff_elections |website=Harris County Republican Party |access-date=13 June 2020 |language=en}}</ref> |
| Republican<ref>{{cite web |last1=November 12 |first1=Genevieve Carter on |title=Harris County Republican Party Endorses Houston City Council Candidates in Runoff Elections |url=https://www.harriscountygop.com/harris_county_republican_party_endorses_houston_city_council_candidates_in_runoff_elections |website=Harris County Republican Party |access-date=13 June 2020 |language=en}}</ref> |
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|-{{party shading/Democratic}} |
|-{{party shading/Democratic}} |
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| District B |
| District B |
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|Tarsha Jackson |
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|2020 |
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|2012 |
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|Democratic<ref>{{cite web |title=ENDORSEMENTS |url=https://www.tarshajackson4districtb.com/endorsements |website=Tarsha4DistrictB |access-date=1 February 2021 |language=en}}</ref> |
|Democratic<ref>{{cite web |title=ENDORSEMENTS |url=https://www.tarshajackson4districtb.com/endorsements |website=Tarsha4DistrictB |access-date=1 February 2021 |language=en}}</ref> |
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|-{{party shading/Democratic}} |
|-{{party shading/Democratic}} |
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| [[Abbie Kamin]] |
| [[Abbie Kamin]] |
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| 2019 |
| 2019 |
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|-{{party shading/Democratic}} |
|-{{party shading/Democratic}} |
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| District D |
| District D |
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| Carolyn Evans-Shabazz |
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| 2019 |
| 2019 |
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| Democratic<ref name=k/> |
| Democratic<ref name=k/> |
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|-{{party shading/Republican}} |
|-{{party shading/Republican}} |
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| District E |
| District E |
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| Fred Flickinger |
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| [[Dave Martin (politician)|Dave Martin]] <ref>http://www.yourhoustonnews.com/kingwood/news/new-houston-council-member-dave-martin-continues-with-improvement-projects/article_36a46171-9a23-5cc3-b680-c8034e047c42.html</ref> |
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| 2023 |
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| Republican<ref name=k/> |
| Republican<ref name=k/> |
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|- {{party shading/Democratic}} |
|- {{party shading/Democratic}} |
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| District F |
| District F |
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| Tiffany Thomas |
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| 2019 |
| 2019 |
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| Democratic<ref name=k/> |
| Democratic<ref name=k/> |
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|-{{party shading/Republican}} |
|-{{party shading/Republican}} |
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| District G |
| District G |
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| [[ |
| [[Mary Nan Huffman (politician)|Mary Nan Huffman]] |
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| 2022 |
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| Republican<ref name=k/> |
| Republican<ref name=k/> |
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|-{{party shading/Democratic}} |
|-{{party shading/Democratic}} |
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| District H |
| District H |
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| Mario Castillo |
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| [[Karla Cisneros]] |
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| 2023 |
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| Democratic<ref name=k/> |
| Democratic<ref name=k/> |
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|-{{party shading/Democratic}} |
|-{{party shading/Democratic}} |
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| District I |
| District I |
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| Joaquin Martinez |
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| [[Robert Gallegos]] |
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| 2023 |
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| Democratic<ref name=k/> |
| Democratic<ref name=k/> |
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|-{{party shading/Democratic}} |
|-{{party shading/Democratic}} |
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| [[Martha Castex-Tatum]] |
| [[Martha Castex-Tatum]] |
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| 2018 |
| 2018 |
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| Julian Ramirez |
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| 2023 |
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| Willie Davis |
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| 2023 |
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| Twila Carter |
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| 2023 |
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| Democratic<ref name=k/> |
| Democratic<ref name=k/> |
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|- |
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|} |
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Houston City Council Member [[Larry Green (Texas politician)|Larry Green]], who represented District K since 2012, was found dead in his home on March 6, 2018. Martha Castex-Tatum won a special election to fill Green’s vacated seat on May 5, 2018 and assumed office on May 16, 2018. As of 2019, 5 seats were up for grabs which where the At Large positions 4 and 5, and Districts B, C, and J seats. At Large position 5, and council districts B, C, and J had term-limited council members who were serving out their third and final term in office under the pre-2016 three 2 year terms allowed by the city charter. |
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==Districts== |
==Districts== |
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As of 2011 the City of Houston has eleven city council districts, A through K.<ref>"[http://www.houstongovnewsroom.org/external/content/document/2155/1084715/1/Revised Revised Redistricting Staff Plan of May 9, 2011]." City of Houston. Retrieved on November 5, 2011.</ref> |
As of 2011 the City of Houston has eleven city council districts, A through K.<ref>"[http://www.houstongovnewsroom.org/external/content/document/2155/1084715/1/Revised Revised Redistricting Staff Plan of May 9, 2011] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120119085846/http://www.houstongovnewsroom.org/external/content/document/2155/1084715/1/Revised |date=January 19, 2012 }}." City of Houston. Retrieved on November 5, 2011.</ref> |
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The current City Council Districts were announced in 2011. District J and K were newly added. As of 2011, the populations of four districts (in terms of overall population and voting age population) are majority Hispanic, the populations of three districts are majority White, two districts have a majority African-American population, and one is close to being majority African American. Of the districts, one has a significant Asian American population.<ref>"[ |
The current City Council Districts were announced in 2011. District J and K were newly added. As of 2011, the populations of four districts (in terms of overall population and voting age population) are majority Hispanic, the populations of three districts are majority White, two districts have a majority African-American population, and one is close to being majority African American. Of the districts, one has a significant Asian American population.<ref>"[https://abc13.com/archive/8122722/ New Houston city council districts announced]." ''[[KTRK-TV]]''. Tuesday May 10, 2011. Retrieved on November 5, 2011.</ref> Both new districts are in [[Southwest Houston]].<ref name="ForumCand"/> |
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===District A=== |
===District A=== |
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District A serves areas in northwestern Houston.<ref name="MoranCityCounc">Moran, Chris. "[http://www.chron.com/news/houston-texas/article/Only-2-city-incumbents-lack-opponents-2159927.php Only 2 city incumbents lack opponents]." ''[[Houston Chronicle]]''. Thursday September 8, 2011. Retrieved on November 5, 2011.</ref> District A includes communities north of [[Interstate 10]] (Katy Freeway),<ref name="Grahamearlyvoting">Graham, Rusty. "[http://www.yourhoustonnews.com/memorial/news/early-voting-underway-through-nov/article_f37243e6-bb0f-584b-ab08-1ec51bb1079b.html Early voting underway through Nov. 4]." ''[[The Memorial Examiner]]''. Wednesday October 26, 2011. Retrieved on November 5, 2011.</ref> including [[Spring Branch, Houston|Spring Branch]].<ref>"[ |
District A serves areas in northwestern Houston.<ref name="MoranCityCounc">Moran, Chris. "[http://www.chron.com/news/houston-texas/article/Only-2-city-incumbents-lack-opponents-2159927.php Only 2 city incumbents lack opponents]." ''[[Houston Chronicle]]''. Thursday September 8, 2011. Retrieved on November 5, 2011.</ref> District A includes communities north of [[Interstate 10]] (Katy Freeway),<ref name="Grahamearlyvoting">Graham, Rusty. "[http://www.yourhoustonnews.com/memorial/news/early-voting-underway-through-nov/article_f37243e6-bb0f-584b-ab08-1ec51bb1079b.html Early voting underway through Nov. 4]{{Dead link|date=August 2024 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}." ''[[The Memorial Examiner]]''. Wednesday October 26, 2011. Retrieved on November 5, 2011.</ref> including [[Spring Branch, Houston|Spring Branch]].<ref>"[https://abc13.com/archive/8414848/ District A incumbent Stardig faces two challengers]." ''[[KTRK-TV]]''. Tuesday November 1, 2011. Retrieved on November 5, 2011.</ref> As of 2012 thousands of [[South Korea]]n people live within District A.<ref>McCoy, Terrence. "[http://blogs.houstonpress.com/hairballs/2012/07/city_cm_helena_brown_never_vis.php Helena Brown's Asian Adventures: DMZ, Fighter Jets – But What About The Airlines?] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131225101734/http://blogs.houstonpress.com/hairballs/2012/07/city_cm_helena_brown_never_vis.php |date=2013-12-25 }}" ''[[Houston Press]]''. Monday July 9, 2012. Retrieved on July 25, 2012.</ref> |
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As of 2012, according to [[Rice University]] political scientist Bob Stein, voters in District A tend to be older people, conservative, and [[White American]], and many follow the [[Tea Party movement]]. The voting base is such despite the presence of large Hispanic neighborhoods within District A. In the 2011 election voters favored Tea Party candidate [[Helena Brown (politician)|Helena Brown]] over the incumbent, Brenda Stardig, because Stardig supported a "rain tax," passed in 2010, that taxed churches.<ref>McCoy, Terrence. "Who's Behind Helena Brown?" ''[[Houston Press]]''. Wednesday July 4, 2012. [http://www.houstonpress.com/2012-07-05/news/helena-brown-william-park/2/ 2]. Retrieved on July 25, 2012.</ref> |
As of 2012, according to [[Rice University]] political scientist Bob Stein, voters in District A tend to be older people, conservative, and [[White American]], and many follow the [[Tea Party movement]]. The voting base is such despite the presence of large Hispanic neighborhoods within District A. In the 2011 election voters favored Tea Party candidate [[Helena Brown (politician)|Helena Brown]] over the incumbent, Brenda Stardig, because Stardig supported a "rain tax," passed in 2010, that taxed churches.<ref>McCoy, Terrence. "Who's Behind Helena Brown?" ''[[Houston Press]]''. Wednesday July 4, 2012. [http://www.houstonpress.com/2012-07-05/news/helena-brown-william-park/2/ 2]. Retrieved on July 25, 2012.</ref> |
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In 1987 District B included [[Clinton Park, Houston|Clinton Park]], the Fifth Ward, Fontane Place, [[Kashmere Gardens, Houston|Kashmere Gardens]], Scenic Woods, [[Settegast, Houston|Settegast]], Songwood, and Trinity Gardens. It also included the [[Lake Houston]] and the Bush Airport areas. In 1987 the district was 69% African American.<ref>Rodriguez, Lori. "[http://www.chron.com/CDA/archives/archive.mpl/1987_495050/district-b-contest-architect-reynaldo-pradia-seeks.html District B contest/Architect Reynaldo Pradia seeks to unseat Ernest McGowen]." ''[[Houston Chronicle]]''. Monday October 12, 1987. Section 1, Page 9. Retrieved on November 5, 2011.</ref> |
In 1987 District B included [[Clinton Park, Houston|Clinton Park]], the Fifth Ward, Fontane Place, [[Kashmere Gardens, Houston|Kashmere Gardens]], Scenic Woods, [[Settegast, Houston|Settegast]], Songwood, and Trinity Gardens. It also included the [[Lake Houston]] and the Bush Airport areas. In 1987 the district was 69% African American.<ref>Rodriguez, Lori. "[http://www.chron.com/CDA/archives/archive.mpl/1987_495050/district-b-contest-architect-reynaldo-pradia-seeks.html District B contest/Architect Reynaldo Pradia seeks to unseat Ernest McGowen]." ''[[Houston Chronicle]]''. Monday October 12, 1987. Section 1, Page 9. Retrieved on November 5, 2011.</ref> |
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{{Asof|2020}} the runoff for District B had not yet taken place even though the first round of the election occurred in 2019.<ref>{{cite web|author=Rice, Jen|url=https://www.houstonpublicmedia.org/articles/news/2020/05/06/368781/six-months-after-city-elections-houston-is-still-waiting-on-a-runoff/|title=6 Months After |
{{Asof|2020}} the runoff for District B had not yet taken place even though the first round of the election occurred in 2019.<ref>{{cite web|author=Rice, Jen|url=https://www.houstonpublicmedia.org/articles/news/2020/05/06/368781/six-months-after-city-elections-houston-is-still-waiting-on-a-runoff/|title=6 Months After Houston's City Council Elections, District B Is Still Waiting On A Runoff|work=[[KUHT|Houston Public Media]]|date=2020-05-06|access-date=2020-05-07}}</ref> |
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After a year-long delay the runoff election for District B took place Dec. 12, 2020, between Tarsha Jackson, an advocate for criminal justice reform, and Cynthia Bailey, head of a non-profit focused on helping local kids. Jackson defeated Bailey with 68.5% of the vote.<ref>{{cite web|author=Rice, Jen|url=https://www.houstonpublicmedia.org/articles/news/houston/2020/12/13/387726/tarsha-jackson-wins-long-delayed-houston-city-council-runoff-election/|title=Tarsha Jackson Wins Long-Delayed Houston City Council Runoff Election|work=[[Houston Public Media]]|date=2020-12-13|access-date=2021-01-06}}</ref> |
After a year-long delay the runoff election for District B took place Dec. 12, 2020, between Tarsha Jackson, an advocate for criminal justice reform, and Cynthia Bailey, head of a non-profit focused on helping local kids. Jackson defeated Bailey with 68.5% of the vote.<ref>{{cite web|author=Rice, Jen|url=https://www.houstonpublicmedia.org/articles/news/houston/2020/12/13/387726/tarsha-jackson-wins-long-delayed-houston-city-council-runoff-election/|title=Tarsha Jackson Wins Long-Delayed Houston City Council Runoff Election|work=[[KUHT|Houston Public Media]]|date=2020-12-13|access-date=2021-01-06}}</ref> |
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===District C=== |
===District C=== |
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District C extends from an area north of the [[610 Loop]], through the [[Houston Heights]] area, down to the Braeswood area.<ref>Moran, Chris. "[http://www.chron.com/news/houston-texas/article/City-Council-District-C-candidates-target-2212093.php City Council District C candidates target high-rises]." ''[[Houston Chronicle]]''. Monday October 10, 2011. Retrieved on November 5, 2011.</ref> The current District C includes most of the Houston Heights,<ref name="Cmap">[http://www.houstontx.gov/council/maps2012/c.pdf City of Houston, Council District Maps, District C] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121224080311/http://www.houstontx.gov/council/maps2012/c.pdf |date=2012-12-24 }}." City of Houston. Retrieved on November 5, 2011.</ref><ref name="Heightsmap">"[http://www.houstonheights.org/map.htm Map] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080905125933/http://www.houstonheights.org/map.htm |date=2008-09-05 }}." ''Houston Heights''. Retrieved on November 5, 2011.</ref> [[Montrose (Houston)|Montrose]], the [[Houston Museum District]],<ref name="Cmap"/><ref>Connelly, Richard. "[http://blogs.houstonpress.com/hairballs/2011/05/the_heights-montrose-museum_di.php The Heights-Montrose-Museum District Council Seat: A Checklist for Potential Candidates]." ''[[Houston Press]]''. Wednesday May 11, 2011. Retrieved on November 5, 2011.</ref> and some communities around [[Rice University]].<ref name="MoranCityCounc"/> District C also includes the Braeswood area, [[Meyerland, Houston|Meyerland]], [[Southampton, Houston|Southampton]],<ref name="EllenCohen">"[http://www.chron.com/opinion/editorials/article/Editorial-Ellen-Cohen-for-City-Council-District-C-2206664.php Editorial: Ellen Cohen for City Council District C]." ''[[Houston Chronicle]]''. Thursday October 6, 2011. Retrieved on November 5, 2011.</ref> almost all of [[Oak Forest, Houston|Oak Forest]].<ref name="Cmap"/><ref name="EllenCohen"/><ref name="OFMap">"[http://www.ofha.org/m_002.html Oak Forest Section Map] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050316041056/http://www.ofha.org/m_002.html |date=2005-03-16 }}." [[Oak Forest, Houston|Oak Forest Homeowner's Association]]. Retrieved on June 16, 2009.</ref> |
District C extends from an area north of the [[610 Loop]], through the [[Houston Heights]] area, down to the Braeswood area.<ref>Moran, Chris. "[http://www.chron.com/news/houston-texas/article/City-Council-District-C-candidates-target-2212093.php City Council District C candidates target high-rises]." ''[[Houston Chronicle]]''. Monday October 10, 2011. Retrieved on November 5, 2011.</ref> The current District C includes most of the Houston Heights,<ref name="Cmap">[http://www.houstontx.gov/council/maps2012/c.pdf City of Houston, Council District Maps, District C] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121224080311/http://www.houstontx.gov/council/maps2012/c.pdf |date=2012-12-24 }}." City of Houston. Retrieved on November 5, 2011.</ref><ref name="Heightsmap">"[http://www.houstonheights.org/map.htm Map] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080905125933/http://www.houstonheights.org/map.htm |date=2008-09-05 }}." ''Houston Heights''. Retrieved on November 5, 2011.</ref> [[Montrose (Houston)|Montrose]], the [[Houston Museum District]],<ref name="Cmap"/><ref>Connelly, Richard. "[http://blogs.houstonpress.com/hairballs/2011/05/the_heights-montrose-museum_di.php The Heights-Montrose-Museum District Council Seat: A Checklist for Potential Candidates] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110514020614/http://blogs.houstonpress.com/hairballs/2011/05/the_heights-montrose-museum_di.php |date=2011-05-14 }}." ''[[Houston Press]]''. Wednesday May 11, 2011. Retrieved on November 5, 2011.</ref> and some communities around [[Rice University]].<ref name="MoranCityCounc"/> District C also includes the Braeswood area, [[Meyerland, Houston|Meyerland]], [[Southampton, Houston|Southampton]],<ref name="EllenCohen">"[http://www.chron.com/opinion/editorials/article/Editorial-Ellen-Cohen-for-City-Council-District-C-2206664.php Editorial: Ellen Cohen for City Council District C]." ''[[Houston Chronicle]]''. Thursday October 6, 2011. Retrieved on November 5, 2011.</ref> almost all of [[Oak Forest, Houston|Oak Forest]].<ref name="Cmap"/><ref name="EllenCohen"/><ref name="OFMap">"[http://www.ofha.org/m_002.html Oak Forest Section Map] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050316041056/http://www.ofha.org/m_002.html |date=2005-03-16 }}." [[Oak Forest, Houston|Oak Forest Homeowner's Association]]. Retrieved on June 16, 2009.</ref> |
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Because of the inclusion of the Montrose, Heights, and Rice University areas, it has the nickname "Hipstrict" for what Chris Moran of the ''[[Houston Chronicle]]'' refers to as its "progressive, urban ethic."<ref name="MoranCityCounc"/> The ''Houston Chronicle'' editorial base described District C as a district that should be "politically dynamic."<ref name="NewdisJ">"[http://www.chron.com/opinion/editorials/article/Political-challenge-Revised-council-1384284.php Political challenge: Revised council redistricting plan offers Hispanics a third majority district]." (editorial) ''[[Houston Chronicle]]''. Wednesday May 18, 2011. Retrieved on November 5, 2011.</ref> |
Because of the inclusion of the Montrose, Heights, and Rice University areas, it has the nickname "Hipstrict" for what Chris Moran of the ''[[Houston Chronicle]]'' refers to as its "progressive, urban ethic."<ref name="MoranCityCounc"/> The ''Houston Chronicle'' editorial base described District C as a district that should be "politically dynamic."<ref name="NewdisJ">"[http://www.chron.com/opinion/editorials/article/Political-challenge-Revised-council-1384284.php Political challenge: Revised council redistricting plan offers Hispanics a third majority district]." (editorial) ''[[Houston Chronicle]]''. Wednesday May 18, 2011. Retrieved on November 5, 2011.</ref> |
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Historically District C has covered areas within the "Inner Loop" (areas inside the [[610 Loop]]) and western Houston.<ref>Fountain, Ken. "[http://www.yourhoustonnews.com/bellaire/news/candidates-square-off-for-redrawn-hipstrict-district-c-houston-council/article_13014a03-dfda-5beb-9aee-3758e8ca87ad.html Candidates square off for redrawn ‘hipstrict’ District C Houston council seat]." ''[[The Bellaire Examiner]]''. Tuesday November 1, 2011. Retrieved on November 5, 2011.</ref> 20 years before 2011, Montrose was moved from District C to district D to avoid putting too many minorities in a single city council district.<ref name="ChronJigsaw">"[http://www.chron.com/opinion/editorials/article/Jigsaw-puzzle-Creating-two-new-Houston-City-1684234.php Jigsaw puzzle: Creating two new Houston City Council seats poses demographic challenges]." (editorial) ''[[Houston Chronicle]]''. Wednesday January 26, 2011. Retrieved on November 5, 2011.</ref> Kristen Mack of the ''[[Houston Chronicle]]'' said that District C, which "covers a diverse swath of [[southwest Houston]]", was "One of Houston's most economically diverse districts, it ranges from leafy Southampton near [[Rice University]] through more modest subdivisions and vast apartment warrens in the city's far southwest."<ref name="MackC">Mack, Kristen. "[http://www.chron.com/news/houston-texas/article/Council-District-C-hopefuls-push-advocacy-1634591.php Council District C hopefuls push advocacy Diverse area has 7 candidates to pick from Nov. 8]." ''[[Houston Chronicle]]''. Friday October 21, 2005. Retrieved on November 4, 2011.</ref> Jerry Wood, a former city planner and neighborhood expert, said that all of the regions of District C were active in terms of politics.<ref name="MackC"/> |
Historically District C has covered areas within the "Inner Loop" (areas inside the [[610 Loop]]) and western Houston.<ref>Fountain, Ken. "[http://www.yourhoustonnews.com/bellaire/news/candidates-square-off-for-redrawn-hipstrict-district-c-houston-council/article_13014a03-dfda-5beb-9aee-3758e8ca87ad.html Candidates square off for redrawn ‘hipstrict’ District C Houston council seat] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111124080501/http://www.yourhoustonnews.com/bellaire/news/candidates-square-off-for-redrawn-hipstrict-district-c-houston-council/article_13014a03-dfda-5beb-9aee-3758e8ca87ad.html |date=2011-11-24 }}." ''[[The Bellaire Examiner]]''. Tuesday November 1, 2011. Retrieved on November 5, 2011.</ref> 20 years before 2011, Montrose was moved from District C to district D to avoid putting too many minorities in a single city council district.<ref name="ChronJigsaw">"[http://www.chron.com/opinion/editorials/article/Jigsaw-puzzle-Creating-two-new-Houston-City-1684234.php Jigsaw puzzle: Creating two new Houston City Council seats poses demographic challenges]." (editorial) ''[[Houston Chronicle]]''. Wednesday January 26, 2011. Retrieved on November 5, 2011.</ref> Kristen Mack of the ''[[Houston Chronicle]]'' said that District C, which "covers a diverse swath of [[southwest Houston]]", was "One of Houston's most economically diverse districts, it ranges from leafy Southampton near [[Rice University]] through more modest subdivisions and vast apartment warrens in the city's far southwest."<ref name="MackC">Mack, Kristen. "[http://www.chron.com/news/houston-texas/article/Council-District-C-hopefuls-push-advocacy-1634591.php Council District C hopefuls push advocacy Diverse area has 7 candidates to pick from Nov. 8]." ''[[Houston Chronicle]]''. Friday October 21, 2005. Retrieved on November 4, 2011.</ref> Jerry Wood, a former city planner and neighborhood expert, said that all of the regions of District C were active in terms of politics.<ref name="MackC"/> |
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In the 1990s District C had a wedge shape. It extended from the Museum District to the [[Beltway 8]] south side. It included [[Fondren Southwest]], Meyerland, and Southampton.<ref>Mason, Julie. "[http://www.chron.com/CDA/archives/archive.mpl/1999_3165597/chimney-rock-issue-may-decide-outcome-of-district.html Chimney Rock issue may decide outcome of District C]." ''[[Houston Chronicle]]''. Sunday September 19, 1999. A35 MetFront. Retrieved on October 17, 2012.</ref> |
In the 1990s District C had a wedge shape. It extended from the Museum District to the [[Beltway 8]] south side. It included [[Fondren Southwest]], Meyerland, and Southampton.<ref>Mason, Julie. "[http://www.chron.com/CDA/archives/archive.mpl/1999_3165597/chimney-rock-issue-may-decide-outcome-of-district.html Chimney Rock issue may decide outcome of District C]." ''[[Houston Chronicle]]''. Sunday September 19, 1999. A35 MetFront. Retrieved on October 17, 2012.</ref> |
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As 2011 city council redistricting approached, some members of Houston's gay community and some Houston area bloggers proposed returning Montrose to District C.<ref name="ChronJigsaw"/> Around 2011 an earlier plan would have combined the Heights and Montrose under a district called District J.<ref>Connelly, Richard. "[http://blogs.houstonpress.com/hairballs/2011/04/city_council_redistricting_map.php City Council Redistricting Map: Montrose and the Heights, (Somewhat) Together]." ''[[Houston Press]]''. April 6, 2011. Retrieved on November 5, 2011.</ref> |
As 2011 city council redistricting approached, some members of Houston's gay community and some Houston area bloggers proposed returning Montrose to District C.<ref name="ChronJigsaw"/> Around 2011 an earlier plan would have combined the Heights and Montrose under a district called District J.<ref>Connelly, Richard. "[http://blogs.houstonpress.com/hairballs/2011/04/city_council_redistricting_map.php City Council Redistricting Map: Montrose and the Heights, (Somewhat) Together] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110608215610/http://blogs.houstonpress.com/hairballs/2011/04/city_council_redistricting_map.php |date=2011-06-08 }}." ''[[Houston Press]]''. April 6, 2011. Retrieved on November 5, 2011.</ref> |
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===District D=== |
===District D=== |
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===District J=== |
===District J=== |
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District J includes several neighborhoods along [[U.S. Route 59]] (Southwest Freeway), outside of the [[610 Loop]]. District J includes [[Gulfton, Houston|Gulfton]] and [[Sharpstown, Houston|Sharpstown]].<ref name="NewdisJ"/> The district stretches from the [[610 Loop]] to an area south of [[Beltway 8]].<ref name="Shauk">Shauk, Zain. "[http://www.chron.com/news/politics/article/Hispanic-opportunity-district-draws-three-2219762.php Hispanic-opportunity district draws three candidates]." ''[[Houston Chronicle]]''. Friday October 14, 2011. Retrieved on November 4, 2011. ([http://www.chron.com/mediaManager/?controllerName=image&action=get&id=1672471&width=628&height=471 Refer to image], [https:// |
District J includes several neighborhoods along [[U.S. Route 59]] (Southwest Freeway), outside of the [[610 Loop]]. District J includes [[Gulfton, Houston|Gulfton]] and [[Sharpstown, Houston|Sharpstown]].<ref name="NewdisJ"/> The district stretches from the [[610 Loop]] to an area south of [[Beltway 8]].<ref name="Shauk">Shauk, Zain. "[http://www.chron.com/news/politics/article/Hispanic-opportunity-district-draws-three-2219762.php Hispanic-opportunity district draws three candidates]." ''[[Houston Chronicle]]''. Friday October 14, 2011. Retrieved on November 4, 2011. ([http://www.chron.com/mediaManager/?controllerName=image&action=get&id=1672471&width=628&height=471 Refer to image], [https://web.archive.org/web/20130929085709/http://www.chron.com/mediaManager/?controllerName%3Dimage%26action%3Dget%26id%3D1672471%26width%3D628%26height%3D471 Archive])</ref> District J includes territory previously in districts C and F.<ref name="ForumCand"/> |
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District J was formed as a district to allow [[Hispanic and Latino Americans]] to more easily elect representatives catering to them; as of 2010 Hispanic and Latino people have 44% of Houston's population, but two of the eleven city council members were Hispanic or Latino.<ref name="Shauk"/> During the 2011 redistricting, Hispanic and Latino leaders asked [[Annise Parker]], [[Mayor of Houston]], to revise her proposed redistricting plan of city council areas. Instead of creating a new city council district to serve White communities within the [[610 Loop]], as the earlier plan had proposed, the revised plan called for making a mostly Hispanic district.<ref name="NewdisJ"/> Robert Jara, a political consultant of the group Campaign Strategies, drew the boundaries of District J in order to ensure that Gulfton and Sharpstown were together in one area. That way, the Hispanic residents could lobby for influence with their city council representative, whether he or she is of Hispanic origin or not.<ref name="NewdisJ"/> |
District J was formed as a district to allow [[Hispanic and Latino Americans]] to more easily elect representatives catering to them; as of 2010 Hispanic and Latino people have 44% of Houston's population, but two of the eleven city council members were Hispanic or Latino.<ref name="Shauk"/> During the 2011 redistricting, Hispanic and Latino leaders asked [[Annise Parker]], [[Mayor of Houston]], to revise her proposed redistricting plan of city council areas. Instead of creating a new city council district to serve White communities within the [[610 Loop]], as the earlier plan had proposed, the revised plan called for making a mostly Hispanic district.<ref name="NewdisJ"/> Robert Jara, a political consultant of the group Campaign Strategies, drew the boundaries of District J in order to ensure that Gulfton and Sharpstown were together in one area. That way, the Hispanic residents could lobby for influence with their city council representative, whether he or she is of Hispanic origin or not.<ref name="NewdisJ"/> |
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==Notable former members== |
==Notable former members== |
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* Carroll G. Robinson (at-large council member) |
* Carroll G. Robinson (at-large council member) |
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* [[Jew Don Boney |
* [[Jew Don Boney Jr.]] |
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* [[Helena Brown (politician)|Helena Brown]] |
* [[Helena Brown (politician)|Helena Brown]] |
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* [[Annise Parker]] (at-large council member)<ref name="NewdisJ"/> |
* [[Annise Parker]] (at-large council member)<ref name="NewdisJ"/> |
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* [[Martha Wong]]<ref>Staff. "[http://www.chron.com/CDA/archives/archive.mpl/1997_1388535/campaign-notebook.html Campaign Notebook]." ''[[Houston Chronicle]]''. Saturday January 11, 1997. A30. Retrieved on February 16, 2012.</ref> |
* [[Martha Wong]]<ref>Staff. "[http://www.chron.com/CDA/archives/archive.mpl/1997_1388535/campaign-notebook.html Campaign Notebook]." ''[[Houston Chronicle]]''. Saturday January 11, 1997. A30. Retrieved on February 16, 2012.</ref> |
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* [[Al Hoang]] |
* [[Al Hoang]] |
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* [[Sheila Jackson Lee]] |
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* [[Michael Berry (radio host)|Michael Berry]] |
* [[Michael Berry (radio host)|Michael Berry]] |
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* [[M.J. Khan]] |
* [[M.J. Khan]] |
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==External links== |
==External links== |
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{{Portal|Texas|Politics}} |
{{Portal|Texas|Politics}} |
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{{Commons category|Houston City Council members}} |
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*[http://www.houstontx.gov/council/index.html Houston City Council main page] |
*[http://www.houstontx.gov/council/index.html Houston City Council main page] |
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*Morris, Mike and Allan Turner. "[http://www.chron.com/news/houston-texas/article/Latinos-criticize-Houston-City-Council-1692433.php Latinos criticize Houston City Council redistricting plan City Council redistricting plan draws fire Mayor's proposal would increase seats from 9 to 11, but critics say attempt to boost Hispanic districts not foolproof]." ''[[Houston Chronicle]]''. Thursday April 7, 2011. |
*Morris, Mike and Allan Turner. "[http://www.chron.com/news/houston-texas/article/Latinos-criticize-Houston-City-Council-1692433.php Latinos criticize Houston City Council redistricting plan City Council redistricting plan draws fire Mayor's proposal would increase seats from 9 to 11, but critics say attempt to boost Hispanic districts not foolproof]." ''[[Houston Chronicle]]''. Thursday April 7, 2011. |
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{{Houston |state=autocollapse}} |
{{Houston |state=autocollapse}} |
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{{Authority control}} |
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[[Category:Government of Houston]] |
[[Category:Government of Houston]] |
Revision as of 09:31, 22 August 2024
Houston City Council | |
---|---|
Type | |
Type | |
Leadership | |
Mayor | |
Mayor Pro-tempore | Martha Castex-Tatum (D) |
Vice Mayor Pro-tempore | Amy Peck (R) |
Structure | |
Seats | 16 |
Political groups | Officially nonpartisan Majority
Minority
|
Meeting place | |
Council Room Houston City Hall |
The Houston City Council is a city council for the city of Houston in the U.S. state of Texas.
The Council has sixteen members: eleven from council districts and five elected at-large. The members of the Council are elected every four years, with the most recent election being held in 2023 and the next being held in 2027. All positions are up for re-election at the same time. Council Members are limited to two terms of four years.[3] Under the current city charter, if the population in the city limits went past 2.1 million residents, the previous nine-member city council districts would be expanded with the addition of two city council districts.[4] Since the threshold was passed, the city created two new districts.[5]
The Council works with the mayor in a strong mayor-council model. The City Council monitors the performance of city agencies, confirm the mayor's appointments, and makes land use decisions as well as legislating on a variety of other issues.
The Mayor chairs meetings of City Council and has a vote in the proceedings in all cases. In the event of the Mayor's absence, the Mayor Pro-Tem, a member of the Council chosen for the position by the mayor, presides over Council meetings. Should both the Mayor and Mayor Pro-Tem be unavailable, the Vice Mayor Pro-Tem, chosen for the position by fellow Council Members, will preside.
City Council and the Administrative Office of City Council (AOCC), a division of the Finance Department which serves administrative duties for the council, are housed in the City Hall Annex in Downtown Houston.[6]
History
This section needs expansion. You can help by adding to it. (January 2012) |
Between the Reconstruction and the enacting of court-ordered city council redistricting in the 1970s, none of the city council members were black.[7] Until 1972 all of the members of the city council were white.[8]
Members
Position | Name | First elected | Party (officially nonpartisan) |
---|---|---|---|
District A | Amy Peck | 2019 | Republican[9] |
District B | Tarsha Jackson | 2020 | Democratic[10] |
District C | Abbie Kamin | 2019 | Democratic[11] |
District D | Carolyn Evans-Shabazz | 2019 | Democratic[11] |
District E | Fred Flickinger | 2023 | Republican[11] |
District F | Tiffany Thomas | 2019 | Democratic[11] |
District G | Mary Nan Huffman | 2022 | Republican[11] |
District H | Mario Castillo | 2023 | Democratic[11] |
District I | Joaquin Martinez | 2023 | Democratic[11] |
District J | Edward Pollard | 2019 | Democratic[11] |
District K | Martha Castex-Tatum | 2018 | Democratic[11] |
At-Large Position 1 | Julian Ramirez | 2023 | Republican[11] |
At-Large Position 2 | Willie Davis | 2023 | Republican[11] |
At-Large Position 3 | Twila Carter | 2023 | Republican[11] |
At-Large Position 4 | Letitia Plummer | 2019 | Democratic[11] |
At-Large Position 5 | Sallie Alcorn | 2019 | Democratic[11] |
Districts
As of 2011 the City of Houston has eleven city council districts, A through K.[12]
The current City Council Districts were announced in 2011. District J and K were newly added. As of 2011, the populations of four districts (in terms of overall population and voting age population) are majority Hispanic, the populations of three districts are majority White, two districts have a majority African-American population, and one is close to being majority African American. Of the districts, one has a significant Asian American population.[13] Both new districts are in Southwest Houston.[5]
District A
District A serves areas in northwestern Houston.[14] District A includes communities north of Interstate 10 (Katy Freeway),[15] including Spring Branch.[16] As of 2012 thousands of South Korean people live within District A.[17]
As of 2012, according to Rice University political scientist Bob Stein, voters in District A tend to be older people, conservative, and White American, and many follow the Tea Party movement. The voting base is such despite the presence of large Hispanic neighborhoods within District A. In the 2011 election voters favored Tea Party candidate Helena Brown over the incumbent, Brenda Stardig, because Stardig supported a "rain tax," passed in 2010, that taxed churches.[18]
District B
District B serves areas in northern Houston and northeast Houston.[14][19] Chris Moran of the Houston Chronicle said that the district "is considered an African-American stronghold."[14] Most residents belong to racial and ethnic minorities.[19]
Areas within the district boundaries include Acres Homes, the Fifth Ward,[20][21] and George Bush Intercontinental Airport.[14]
The Houston Chronicle said that District B's constituency "has been shortchanged historically on municipal services and economic development."[19] A lot of illegal dumping occurs within the district. The newspaper added that the district has "a resilient community spirit."[19] Kristen Mack of the Houston Chronicle said in 2005 that the district, prior to the 2011 redistricting, "is plagued by unkempt lots, clogged ditches and substandard streets."[21]
In 1987 District B included Clinton Park, the Fifth Ward, Fontane Place, Kashmere Gardens, Scenic Woods, Settegast, Songwood, and Trinity Gardens. It also included the Lake Houston and the Bush Airport areas. In 1987 the district was 69% African American.[22]
As of 2020[update] the runoff for District B had not yet taken place even though the first round of the election occurred in 2019.[23]
After a year-long delay the runoff election for District B took place Dec. 12, 2020, between Tarsha Jackson, an advocate for criminal justice reform, and Cynthia Bailey, head of a non-profit focused on helping local kids. Jackson defeated Bailey with 68.5% of the vote.[24]
District C
District C extends from an area north of the 610 Loop, through the Houston Heights area, down to the Braeswood area.[25] The current District C includes most of the Houston Heights,[26][27] Montrose, the Houston Museum District,[26][28] and some communities around Rice University.[14] District C also includes the Braeswood area, Meyerland, Southampton,[29] almost all of Oak Forest.[26][29][30]
Because of the inclusion of the Montrose, Heights, and Rice University areas, it has the nickname "Hipstrict" for what Chris Moran of the Houston Chronicle refers to as its "progressive, urban ethic."[14] The Houston Chronicle editorial base described District C as a district that should be "politically dynamic."[31]
Historically District C has covered areas within the "Inner Loop" (areas inside the 610 Loop) and western Houston.[32] 20 years before 2011, Montrose was moved from District C to district D to avoid putting too many minorities in a single city council district.[33] Kristen Mack of the Houston Chronicle said that District C, which "covers a diverse swath of southwest Houston", was "One of Houston's most economically diverse districts, it ranges from leafy Southampton near Rice University through more modest subdivisions and vast apartment warrens in the city's far southwest."[34] Jerry Wood, a former city planner and neighborhood expert, said that all of the regions of District C were active in terms of politics.[34]
In the 1990s District C had a wedge shape. It extended from the Museum District to the Beltway 8 south side. It included Fondren Southwest, Meyerland, and Southampton.[35]
As 2011 city council redistricting approached, some members of Houston's gay community and some Houston area bloggers proposed returning Montrose to District C.[33] Around 2011 an earlier plan would have combined the Heights and Montrose under a district called District J.[36]
District D
District D extends from the northernmost area within Midtown southward to Beltway 8.[14] District D includes Sunnyside,[37][38] and it also includes the Third Ward.[37][39] District D is home to Texas Southern University and the University of Houston.
20 years before 2011, Montrose was moved from District C to district D to avoid putting too many minorities in a single city council district.[33] While Montrose was in District D, it was not able to have its own residents elected to city council. Instead the district was forced to try to influence electoral contests involving candidates from other neighborhoods. In the 2011 redistricting Montrose was moved into District C.[31]
District E
District E mainly consists of Kingwood and the Houston portion of Clear Lake City.[39] The City of Houston has a liaison who works with the District E representative and the residents of Kingwood. In 2006 some Kingwood residents told the Houston Chronicle that the District E representative has too little influence in city council, which had 15 seats during that year, and that the district is, in the words of Renée C. Lee of the Chronicle, territorially "spread too thin."[40]
District F
District F serves areas in southwestern Houston.[14] As of 2011 District F has a significant Vietnamese American community,[41] and as of 2013 the Vietnamese are more politically active than the Hispanic majority.[42] District F includes much of the Alief area,[15] Westchase,[42] other areas in Southwest Houston, Briarmeadow, Tanglewilde.[15] The largest communities were Alief and Westchase.[42]
In 1985 District F included far Southwest Houston. It included Alief, Braeburn, Braeburn Valley West, Glenshire, Gulfton, Robindell, and Sharpstown. In 1985 the district was 83% white.[43] In 2011 Briarmeadow and Tanglewilde, areas south of Westheimer Road which were previously in District G, were moved to District F, while the Bellaire Boulevard areas and Sharpstown were moved out of District F.[15]
District G
District G serves areas in western Houston.[14] District G extends from an area inside the 610 Loop, between Interstate 10 (Katy Freeway) and Westheimer Road, westward to an area past Eldridge Road.[15] Neighborhoods in District G include the Memorial area, River Oaks and Tanglewood.[44]
Briarmeadow and Tanglewilde, two communities south of Westheimer Road, were previously in district G until 2011, when redistricting moved them into District F.[15]
In 1987 District G was the wealthiest city council district in Houston. It was about 90% white. It served River Oaks and most of Memorial, two very wealthy communities, and it also served Afton Oaks, the Ashford Area, Briargrove, Briarmeadow, Carvercrest, Greenway Plaza, the Uptown area, Lamar Terrace, Park Hollow Place, Shadow Oaks, Tanglewood, and Westpark Village. In 1987 Kim Cobb said that while it includes wealthy areas, District G "also includes neighborhoods suffering from a shortage of city services because of west Houston's breakneck growth during the boom years."[45] During that year, Chris Chandler, a political candidate for District G, said, as paraphrased by Cobb, that Lamar Terrace was the "most troubled sector" of District G "and could stand a thorough cleanup by the Solid Waste Management Department."[45]
District H
District H includes some areas north of the 610 Loop.[14] Areas within the district include the Near Northside,[46][47] areas in the Northside region extending to Little York Road,[47][48] and some areas east of Downtown Houston.[46][47] The district also includes a portion of the Houston Heights.[14][27][47]
Before the 2011 redistricting, District H included all of the Houston Heights. At the time District H was mostly Hispanic, but because of the inclusion of the Houston Heights, it was becoming increasingly non-Hispanic White.[33]
District I
District I includes neighborhoods in southeastern Houston,[14] including several East End communities.[39][49] It also includes most of Downtown Houston.[14][49] District I had been established by 1979, with the first election campaign for City Council District I occurring during that year.[50]
District J
District J includes several neighborhoods along U.S. Route 59 (Southwest Freeway), outside of the 610 Loop. District J includes Gulfton and Sharpstown.[31] The district stretches from the 610 Loop to an area south of Beltway 8.[51] District J includes territory previously in districts C and F.[5]
District J was formed as a district to allow Hispanic and Latino Americans to more easily elect representatives catering to them; as of 2010 Hispanic and Latino people have 44% of Houston's population, but two of the eleven city council members were Hispanic or Latino.[51] During the 2011 redistricting, Hispanic and Latino leaders asked Annise Parker, Mayor of Houston, to revise her proposed redistricting plan of city council areas. Instead of creating a new city council district to serve White communities within the 610 Loop, as the earlier plan had proposed, the revised plan called for making a mostly Hispanic district.[31] Robert Jara, a political consultant of the group Campaign Strategies, drew the boundaries of District J in order to ensure that Gulfton and Sharpstown were together in one area. That way, the Hispanic residents could lobby for influence with their city council representative, whether he or she is of Hispanic origin or not.[31]
As of 2011, 63.1% of residents are Hispanic and Latino.[31] Significant numbers of White, Black, and Asian people live in the district. As of the same year, 17% of registered voters had family names of Spanish/Hispanic origin.[51] Many people living in the district are not U.S. citizens.[31] Jason Moran of the Houston Chronicle said that the area has been referred to as a "Hispanic opportunity district."[14]
In a May 2011 editorial the Houston Chronicle editors said that they support the redistricting plan since they believed that Hispanics need more representation, but they added that the election of a Hispanic to fill the position is not guaranteed because many of the residents are not U.S. citizens and are ineligible to vote. As an example, the editors pointed to the Texas State Legislature's establishment of the 29th congressional district so that a Hispanic/Latino could be elected as a member of the United States Congress. Gene Green, a non-Hispanic White, won the first election for the district in 1992. As of 2011 was still the incumbent in the area.[31]
District K
District K is in far southwestern Houston.[31] The editors of the Houston Chronicle said that it is "roughly at 7 o'clock if you pretend that our squiggly map is shaped like a circle."[52] District K's approximate boundaries are Almeda Road, South Braeswood Boulevard, Gessner Road, and Farm to Market Road 2234 in Fort Bend County.[53]
The district includes Brays Oaks, Hiram Clarke, Reliant Stadium, Westbury, and areas of Houston in Fort Bend County.[52] It also serves Willowbend.[53]
District K was formed in 2011,[14] with territory taken from council districts C and D.[53] As of 2011 it has an African-American plurality,[14] and most of its residents were Black and Hispanic.[53] In a 2011 editorial the Houston Chronicle editors stated that African-American voters likely would have control of the district.[31]
Notable former members
- Carroll G. Robinson (at-large council member)
- Jew Don Boney Jr.
- Helena Brown
- Annise Parker (at-large council member)[31]
- Ben Reyes[54]
- Gordon Quan[55]
- Martha Wong[56]
- Al Hoang
- Sheila Jackson Lee
- Michael Berry
- M.J. Khan
- Sue Lovell
- Rob Todd (Chairman Tower Commission)
- Orlando Sanchez (Harris County Treasurer)
- Mike Sullivan (Harris County Tax Assessor)
- Joe Roach
References
- ^ "On the surface, Houston's proposed city council maps barely budge, but the ground is shifting | Kinder Institute for Urban Research". Kinder Institute for Urban Research | Rice University. Retrieved 2022-10-15.
- ^ Cheng, Yilun (2022-10-12). "Houston approves city council redistricting plan for 2023 elections". Houston Chronicle. Retrieved 2022-10-15.
- ^ "Houston City Council". City of Houston. 2016-01-02. Retrieved 2016-03-16.
- ^ Matt Stiles (2006-08-10). "City Council may grow by two seats, Houston Chronicle". chron.com. Retrieved 2009-03-27.
- ^ a b c Foster, Robin. "Candidates' forum offers reminder about new districts election: Fourm [sic] provides feedback Candidates' forum offers reminder about new districts." Houston Chronicle. Tuesday September 20, 2011. Retrieved on November 5, 2011.
- ^ "Administrative Office of City Council." City of Houston. Retrieved on January 8, 2011. "Administrative Office of City Council City Hall Annex 900 Bagby, 1st Floor Houston, TX 77002"
- ^ Davis, Rod. "Houston's really good idea Bus tour celebrates communities that forged a city." San Antonio Express-News. Sunday August 3, 2003. Travel 1M. Retrieved on February 11, 2012.
- ^ Gaventa, John, Barbara E. Smith, and Alex W. Willingham. Communities in Economic Crisis: Appalachia and the South. Temple University Press, 1990. 196. Retrieved from Google Books on October 6, 2011. ISBN 0-87722-650-4, ISBN 978-0-87722-650-5.
- ^ November 12, Genevieve Carter on. "Harris County Republican Party Endorses Houston City Council Candidates in Runoff Elections". Harris County Republican Party. Retrieved 13 June 2020.
{{cite web}}
: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link) - ^ "ENDORSEMENTS". Tarsha4DistrictB. Retrieved 1 February 2021.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n "David Robinson – Off the Kuff". Retrieved 13 June 2020.
- ^ "Revised Redistricting Staff Plan of May 9, 2011 Archived January 19, 2012, at the Wayback Machine." City of Houston. Retrieved on November 5, 2011.
- ^ "New Houston city council districts announced." KTRK-TV. Tuesday May 10, 2011. Retrieved on November 5, 2011.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p Moran, Chris. "Only 2 city incumbents lack opponents." Houston Chronicle. Thursday September 8, 2011. Retrieved on November 5, 2011.
- ^ a b c d e f Graham, Rusty. "Early voting underway through Nov. 4[permanent dead link]." The Memorial Examiner. Wednesday October 26, 2011. Retrieved on November 5, 2011.
- ^ "District A incumbent Stardig faces two challengers." KTRK-TV. Tuesday November 1, 2011. Retrieved on November 5, 2011.
- ^ McCoy, Terrence. "Helena Brown's Asian Adventures: DMZ, Fighter Jets – But What About The Airlines? Archived 2013-12-25 at the Wayback Machine" Houston Press. Monday July 9, 2012. Retrieved on July 25, 2012.
- ^ McCoy, Terrence. "Who's Behind Helena Brown?" Houston Press. Wednesday July 4, 2012. 2. Retrieved on July 25, 2012.
- ^ a b c d "Editorial: Kathy Ballard-Blueford Daniels for City Council." Houston Chronicle. Wednesday October 5, 2011. Retrieved on November 5, 2011.
- ^ "Revised Council District B Archived 2012-06-25 at the Wayback Machine." City of Houston. Retrieved on November 5, 2011.
- ^ a b Mack, Kristen. "Small differences separate runoff candidates." Houston Chronicle. Friday December 9, 2005. 2. Retrieved on November 5, 2011.
- ^ Rodriguez, Lori. "District B contest/Architect Reynaldo Pradia seeks to unseat Ernest McGowen." Houston Chronicle. Monday October 12, 1987. Section 1, Page 9. Retrieved on November 5, 2011.
- ^ Rice, Jen (2020-05-06). "6 Months After Houston's City Council Elections, District B Is Still Waiting On A Runoff". Houston Public Media. Retrieved 2020-05-07.
- ^ Rice, Jen (2020-12-13). "Tarsha Jackson Wins Long-Delayed Houston City Council Runoff Election". Houston Public Media. Retrieved 2021-01-06.
- ^ Moran, Chris. "City Council District C candidates target high-rises." Houston Chronicle. Monday October 10, 2011. Retrieved on November 5, 2011.
- ^ a b c City of Houston, Council District Maps, District C Archived 2012-12-24 at the Wayback Machine." City of Houston. Retrieved on November 5, 2011.
- ^ a b "Map Archived 2008-09-05 at the Wayback Machine." Houston Heights. Retrieved on November 5, 2011.
- ^ Connelly, Richard. "The Heights-Montrose-Museum District Council Seat: A Checklist for Potential Candidates Archived 2011-05-14 at the Wayback Machine." Houston Press. Wednesday May 11, 2011. Retrieved on November 5, 2011.
- ^ a b "Editorial: Ellen Cohen for City Council District C." Houston Chronicle. Thursday October 6, 2011. Retrieved on November 5, 2011.
- ^ "Oak Forest Section Map Archived 2005-03-16 at the Wayback Machine." Oak Forest Homeowner's Association. Retrieved on June 16, 2009.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k "Political challenge: Revised council redistricting plan offers Hispanics a third majority district." (editorial) Houston Chronicle. Wednesday May 18, 2011. Retrieved on November 5, 2011.
- ^ Fountain, Ken. "Candidates square off for redrawn ‘hipstrict’ District C Houston council seat Archived 2011-11-24 at the Wayback Machine." The Bellaire Examiner. Tuesday November 1, 2011. Retrieved on November 5, 2011.
- ^ a b c d "Jigsaw puzzle: Creating two new Houston City Council seats poses demographic challenges." (editorial) Houston Chronicle. Wednesday January 26, 2011. Retrieved on November 5, 2011.
- ^ a b Mack, Kristen. "Council District C hopefuls push advocacy Diverse area has 7 candidates to pick from Nov. 8." Houston Chronicle. Friday October 21, 2005. Retrieved on November 4, 2011.
- ^ Mason, Julie. "Chimney Rock issue may decide outcome of District C." Houston Chronicle. Sunday September 19, 1999. A35 MetFront. Retrieved on October 17, 2012.
- ^ Connelly, Richard. "City Council Redistricting Map: Montrose and the Heights, (Somewhat) Together Archived 2011-06-08 at the Wayback Machine." Houston Press. April 6, 2011. Retrieved on November 5, 2011.
- ^ a b "Revised Council District D Archived 2012-01-27 at the Wayback Machine." City of Houston. Retrieved on November 5, 2011.
- ^ Wallstin, Brian. "Situational Ethics." Houston Press. Thursday March 26, 1997. 1. Retrieved on November 5, 2011.
- ^ a b c Mack, Kristen. "City Council hopefuls starting to make plans." Houston Chronicle. Friday January 5, 2007. Retrieved on November 5, 2011.
- ^ Lee, Renée C. "Annexed Kingwood split on effects." Houston Chronicle. Sunday October 8, 2006. A21. Retrieved on July 6, 2011. Print version exclusively has timeline of Houston annexations and the infobox on incorporated areas. The main story and "About Kingwood" are in the online edition and in the print edition.
- ^ Moran, Chris. "District F councilman facing both political, legal fights." Houston Chronicle. Sunday October 9, 2011. Retrieved on November 5, 2011.
- ^ a b c Tolson, Mike. "Council contender scores improbable upset." Houston Chronicle. November 10, 2013. Retrieved on August 7, 2014.
- ^ Hurst, Deborah. "Goodner stays away from focusing on gays in District F campaign." Houston Chronicle. Monday October 21, 1985. Section 1, Page 10. Retrieved on August 8, 2011.
- ^ "Editorial: Pennington for council District G." (editorial) Houston Chronicle. Friday October 7, 2011. Retrieved on November 5, 2011.
- ^ a b Cobb, Kim. "District G candidates target area's service gaps as their first priority." Houston Chronicle. Saturday October 24, 1987. Section 1, Page 19. Retrieved on October 14, 2012.
- ^ a b Morris, Mike. "Pothole patrol looks for Houston's bumps." Houston Chronicle. Friday January 14, 2011. Retrieved on November 5, 2011.
- ^ a b c d "Revised Council District H Archived 2012-06-26 at the Wayback Machine." City of Houston. Retrieved on November 5, 2011.
- ^ "Endorsement: Vote Gonzalez for District H seat." Houston Chronicle. Thursday June 4, 2009. Retrieved on November 5, 2011.
- ^ a b "Revised Council District I Archived 2013-09-18 at the Wayback Machine." City of Houston. Retrieved on November 5, 2011.
- ^ Rodriguez, Lori. "Alvarado's missteps may halt political career." Houston Chronicle. March 27, 2006. Retrieved on November 27, 2012.
- ^ a b c Shauk, Zain. "Hispanic-opportunity district draws three candidates." Houston Chronicle. Friday October 14, 2011. Retrieved on November 4, 2011. (Refer to image, Archive)
- ^ a b "Editorial: Larry Green for council District K." (editorial) Houston Chronicle. Tuesday October 11, 2011. Retrieved on November 5, 2011.
- ^ a b c d Lee, Renée C. "New faces hoping to represent new District K." Houston Chronicle. Thursday October 20, 2011. Retrieved on November 5, 2011.
- ^ "Ben Reyes Free Man After 10 Years Archived 2007-01-24 at the Wayback Machine." KHOU-TV. December 29, 2006. Retrieved on August 4, 2009.
- ^ Zheng, Chunhua Zen. "Quan urges Chinese-Americans to become more active in politics." Houston Chronicle. Thursday June 28, 2001. ThisWeek 2. Retrieved on July 28, 2012.
- ^ Staff. "Campaign Notebook." Houston Chronicle. Saturday January 11, 1997. A30. Retrieved on February 16, 2012.
External links
- Houston City Council main page
- Morris, Mike and Allan Turner. "Latinos criticize Houston City Council redistricting plan City Council redistricting plan draws fire Mayor's proposal would increase seats from 9 to 11, but critics say attempt to boost Hispanic districts not foolproof." Houston Chronicle. Thursday April 7, 2011.
- Morris, Mike. "Latino leaders suggest map for Houston Council districts Latino leaders offer own map of Houston City Council Alternative is one of 16 received in past two weeks." Houston Chronicle. Wednesday April 20, 2011.