Skip to main content

Highlights from Houston's November 5 General Election

Published Nov 06, 2019 by Sophia Guevara

Houston City Hall

Houston area voters approved several measures on the ballot this year. Below is a highlight of the results impacting the Houston region.

METRO Bond – PASSED
Area voters approved this bond authorization proposal by a wide margin. This proposition was supported by the Partnership’s board. The vote grants METRO $3.5 billion in bonding authority, which combined with a potential match of $3.5 billion in federal funds and $500 million in other available local funds, will allow for up to $7.5 billion in transit network development. These projects will be crucial for the growth and mobility demands of the Houston region for the next several decades.

State Constitutional Amendment Proposition 8 – PASSED
Statewide voters overwhelmingly passed Proposition 8 with 77% of the vote. This item was the direct result of the enactment of Senate Bill 7 by Senator Brandon Creighton (R-Conroe), the Legislature’s landmark flood resilience legislation. This approval is the final step in the Partnership’s work related to its top executive priority during the 86th Legislative Session

Proposition 8 authorizes the creation of the Flood Infrastructure Fund (FIF) – administered by the Texas Water Development Board. With this approval, heavily championed by Rep. Dade Phelan (R-Beaumont), Texas voters ensured $793 million, which the Legislature appropriated for the Flood Infrastructure Fund, will be dedicated to address future flood mitigation needs across the state of Texas.

Other State Constitutional Amendments Important to the Houston Region
Proposition 5 – PASSED

Proposition 5 establishes a dedicated revenue stream for the preservation and maintenance of state parks and historic sites. This is a critical policy that will impact the Houston region. 

Proposition 6 – PASSED
Proposition 6 allows for an increase to the maximum bond amount authorized for the Cancer Prevention and Research Institute of Texas, which has helped the Texas Medical Center become a world leader in cancer treatment and research. 

Overall, nine of the ten proposed state constitutional amendments passed. The only one to fail was Proposition 1, the amendment which allows an individual to hold more than one municipal judge seat in more than one municipality at the same time.

Other election results that are important to note: 

Texas House of Representatives
House District 28, Runoff: Eliz Markowitz (D) and Gary Gates (R) 
House District 148, Runoff: Anna Eastman (D) and Luis La Rotta (R) 

Houston Independent School District Board Elections
Although the Partnership did not directly support any candidate on the ballot, the Partnership is supportive of new HISD board leadership who share a commitment to improving student outcomes
Four of the nine trustee positions were up for election.  Only two incumbents ran again and both lost. 
Position 2, Runoff– Kathy Blueford-Daniels and John Curtis Gibbs
Position 3 – Dani Hernandez defeated incumbent Sergio Lira
Position 4, Runoff– Matt Barnes and Patricia K. Allen
Position 8 – Judith Cruz defeated incumbent and current board president Diana Davila

City of Houston Mayoral and City Council Races
City of Houston Mayor, Runoff: Sylvester Turner* and Tony Buzbee
At-Large Position 1, Runoff: Mike Knox* and Raj Salhotra
At-Large Position 2, Runoff: David W. Robinson* and Willie R. Davis
At-Large Position 3, Runoff: Michael Kubosh* and Janaeya Carmouche
At-Large Position 4, Runoff: Anthony Dolcefino and Letitia Plummer
At-Large Position 5, Runoff: Sallie Alcorn and Eric Dick
City Controller: Chris B. Brown*
District A, Runoff: Amy Peck and George Harry Zoes
District B, Runoff: Tarsha Jackson and Cynthia Bailey
District C, Runoff: Abbie Kamin and Shelley Kennedy
District D, Runoff: Carolyn Evans-Shabazz and Brad "Scarface" Jordan
District E: Dave Martin*
District F, Runoff: Tiffany D. Thomas and Van Huynh
District G: Greg Travis* 
District H, Runoff: Karla Cisneros* and Isabel Longoria
District I: Robert Gallegos*
District J, Runoff: Edward Pollard and Sandra Rodriguez
District K: Martha Castex-Tatum*
*Indicates an incumbent
 
Houston Community College 
District I, Runoff: Monica Flores Richart and Dave Wilson
District II, Runoff: Rhonda Skillern-Jones and Kathy Lynch-Gunter
District VII: Cynthia Lenton-Gary

Click here to learn more about the Partnership's priorities for the November 5 election. Read more about our public policy efforts here.

Related News

Public Policy

Key Takeaways from the Partnership’s Public Policy Kickoff Meeting

3/31/25
The Greater Houston Partnership recently convened members from all seven of its public policy advisory committees for a joint kickoff meeting that set the stage for our 2025 advocacy efforts. The meeting offered an in-depth look at the current policy landscapes in Washington, D.C. and Austin, and gave members a preview of the issues our committees will be tackling throughout the year.  This collaborative forum underscored the Partnership’s commitment to driving thoughtful, business-informed policy across education, energy, health care, immigration, local government, technology, and transportation and infrastructure. What We're Watching in Washington and Austin  Our expert partners at Cornerstone Government Affairs and Troutman Pepper Locke walked members through the major legislative developments at the federal and state levels.  Federal Outlook: Cornerstone’s Tyler Nelson emphasized that the first 100 days of the administration have been among the most active in recent memory. With major shifts on the horizon—particularly in tax, energy regulation, immigration, and trade—many executive actions are expected to face legal challenges. Industry-specific tariffs are anticipated in early April.  State Outlook: Troutman Pepper’s Robert Miller highlighted bipartisan cooperation in the Texas Legislature as they work to allocate the state’s historic $24 billion surplus. Key debates center on education funding, water infrastructure, and a bold new proposal for a Dementia Prevention Research Institute of Texas (DPRIT).  Partnership Policy Priorities for 2025  Following the policy briefings, our internal team of subject-matter experts led a panel discussion spotlighting the key issues each advisory committee will focus on this year:  Education  To align with broader education reform efforts, the Partnership has unified its public and higher education committees into a single, streamlined Education Advisory Committee. We’re closely monitoring bills that address early childhood education, school safety, and critical investments in public education, including House Bill 2, which proposes nearly $8 billion in funding enhancements.  Energy  Houston’s energy future is rooted in an all-of-the-above strategy. While oil and gas remain foundational, we’re seeing increasing momentum in solar, hydrogen, and nuclear innovation. The city’s designation as a federal Hydrogen Hub and major projects like the Sunnyside Solar Farm reflect the region’s growing leadership in the energy transition.  Health Care  Mental health in the workplace remains a top priority. With leadership from bp America and Deloitte, the Health Care Advisory Committee is exploring strategies to improve mental health outcomes and reduce burnout. At the state level, we’re supporting the $3 billion DPRIT proposal, which would expand research into neurological disorders and prevention.  Immigration  The Partnership continues to advocate for clear, consistent federal immigration policies that meet the needs of Houston’s business community. Our priorities include modernizing visa programs, resolving DACA status, streamlining case processing, and enhancing border security in a balanced and business-friendly way.  Local Issues  The Local Issues Committee is focused on responsible city budgeting, economic development, and regional resilience. As the Whitmire administration concentrates on public safety and basic services, we are also monitoring the implications of Proposition A, which allows more council members to influence the City Council agenda.  Tech Policy  With AI on the rise, the Partnership is engaged in statewide conversations about ensuring policy keeps pace with innovation. Our Tech Policy Committee is providing input on proposed AI regulations to ensure they are both effective and industry-aligned, helping strengthen Houston’s position as a growing tech hub.  Transportation & Infrastructure  The Partnership is supporting major efforts at both the state and federal levels to improve water and transportation infrastructure. At the state level, we’re backing new funding streams for water infrastructure and supporting TxDOT’s $148 billion transportation plan. Federally, we’re advocating for funding to advance the Texas Coastal Spine, a critical flood protection project for the Houston region.  Get Involved in Shaping Houston’s Future  The work of our public policy committees is central to ensuring that Houston remains a vibrant, globally competitive region. From education and infrastructure to innovation and immigration, our advocacy efforts are driven by the insights and experiences of our members. Want to have a seat at the table? Join a committee, share your business priorities, and deepen your engagement in shaping Houston’s future by getting in touch with member.engagement@houston.org.
Read More
Public Policy

Texas Senate Passes its 2026-27 Budget Proposal

3/27/25
On Tuesday, the Texas Senate unanimously passed Senate Bill 1 (SB 1), its version of the state budget proposal for the next two years. Senator Joan Huffman outlined the priority funding and key projects, including the Texas Water Funding, Dementia Prevention and Research Institute of Texas, public education, workforce development and more.  The Senate spent roughly three hours discussing SB 1, which increases appropriations by more than $15 billion from the current budget. The Partnership’s Budget Explorer Tool is updated with the latest version of the Senate Base Budget. Use the tool to explore the following: Topline funding totals for state agencies Public education funding and targeted programs under the Texas Education Agency Funding for water and flood projects across various state agencies Increased Education Spending The committee substitute to SB 1 increased the base budget by about $4 billion, bringing the total spending proposal to $336 billion.  The Texas Education Agency saw the addition of nine programs to the bill. Those include: $11 million for the Teach for America Program $10 million to boost school bus safety $7.5 million in start-up grants for Adult Education Programs in Texas schools $5 million for grants to support low-performing elementary schools $2 million to increase enrollment for College, Career, and Military Readiness programs $800,000 for five new employees at the State Board of Education Senator Brandon Creighton noted in the SB 1 debate that the finance committee chose to maintain the Basic Allotment at $6,100 per student to increase funding for targeted programs instead. Sen. Creighton said the decision was influenced by testimony from supporters of funding specific programs instead of raising the basic allotment. Water Funding Rising Higher The proposed funding for Article VI, which covers agencies under the Natural Resources title, significantly decreased from the current budget. Senators proposed cutting Article VI funding by over $826 million, a 9.41% cut in spending. However, the funding decrease is misleading, as lawmakers have proposed adding $2.5 billion to the supplemental budget for the Texas Water Development Board, contingent on passing a related bill. This allocation is currently noted as a footnote in Article IX of the supplemental budget. Regardless, funding for water projects was increased generally across the board in the committee substitute to SB 1. The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality received increased appropriations for key water resource funds, including a $12 million increase for safe drinking water programs and a $5 million-plus increase in funding for water resource permitting. Still on Tap Lawmakers are still working to deliver a constitutional proposition to dedicate $1 billion annually to the Texas Water Fund for the next 10 years. House Joint Resolution 7 was unanimously voted out of the House Natural Resources Committee on March 19. On Monday, the Senate Committee on Water, Agriculture, and Rural Affairs unanimously passed Senate Bill 7. This enabling legislation outlines the framework for spending the $1 billion in dedicated funding. The Senate wants 80% of the funding to go to new water supply sources, while the House wants more flexibility to use funding for infrastructure repair and maintenance. Building Resilience In addition to water supply funding, lawmakers are looking to increase funding for flood projects around the state. The Soil and Water Conservation Board is investing additional dollars in flood control dams—new construction and ongoing maintenance. If passed, total flood funding will reach over $254 million for the next two years.
Read More

Related Events

Membership

30th Annual Golf Classic

The Greater Houston Partnership is excited to announce the 30th Annual Golf Classic, a milestone celebration of one of our most cherished events. Reserve your spot to join us at Memorial Park…

Learn More
Learn More
Executive Partners