Jackson Lee, Whitmire commit to keeping HPD Chief Finner during final mayoral debate

ByTom Abrahams KTRK logo

Tuesday, December 5, 2023

Full video: Jackson Lee, Whitmire in final Houston mayoral debate

The next mayor of the fourth-largest American city stood on stage Monday night. Houstonians, though, will have to wait until Saturday to find out who that is.

HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) -- The biggest race on the Houston runoff election ballot is the mayoral race between Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee and State Senator John Whitmire.

They debated each other at Texas Southern University in a final chance to appeal to voters before Election Day on Saturday, Dec. 9.

Similar to the ABC13 Houston Mayoral Debate before the general election a month prior, the mayoral hopefuls addressed their stance on multiple issues of most concern to Houstonians.

From crime to outrageously high water bills, to the city's finances, and to public transportation, Jackson Lee and Whitmire tried to offer their perspective while also touting their record as legislators.

"I don't personalize issues. I see problems and look for solutions. I just want to fix things," Whitmire said at one point.

"I'd fix the leaks myself," Jackson Lee said of the city's water woes while teeing up a private equity solution to pay for repairs.

When talking about crime, both candidates made their pitches about how best to fight an issue at the top of voters' minds, and both said they would keep current HPD Chief Troy Finner, who has served in the capacity since April 2021.

"I have been endorsed by the police departments unions," Whitmire touted. "The police want to go to work for Mayor Whitmire. What we have to do is hold violent offenders accountable, help the nonviolent offenders turn their lives around. I have a very clear record of being tough and smart on crime. Troy Finner will be our police chief come Jan. 2 when I am sworn in."

Whitmire admitted that the chief has room for improvement.

"He is a good police chief, but I think he can be better. In fact, I expect him to be better. I think the current administration has kinda held him back. I want to have really aggressive, productive crime prevention law enforcement in the city. I want him to help me do more recruiting," Whitmire added.

Jackson Lee also praised Finner.

"Police officers respect Chief Finner. The neighborhoods respect Chief Finner. People who have been victims of crime respect Chief Finner," Jackson Lee said, echoing her commitment to the top cop. "We will enhance and help him by providing resources for him to add more cadets. The federal government collaborating directly with the Houston police department of getting violent criminals off the street, but moving through the federal system, which is much faster. But we believe in fairness. Then I will target neighborhoods where the high crime is, show the visibility, and clean up that high target area."

The final pitch came an evening before early voting ends on Tuesday.

Aside from voting in Mayor Sylvester Turner's replacement, voters will also choose Houston's next city council and city controller.

Early voting is already underway and ends on Tuesday, Dec. 5.

You can find details on where to vote on HarrisVotes.com and on ABC13's voting guide for this runoff election.

To watch the debate on Roku: