Houston mayoral race 2023: State Sen. John Whitmire launches bid with Tilman Fertitta's help

HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) -- The Texas Senate's current longest-serving member feels he has the experience to lead the fourth-largest city in the U.S.

State Sen. John Whitmire, D-Houston, formally launched his mayoral bid during an event inside the Post Oak Hotel, which is owned by his finance chair, billionaire Tilman Fertitta. The 73-year-old longtime lawmaker signaled his intention to run just a year earlier.

In front of supporters and donors, Whitmire touted his record serving in the Senate over the last 39 years.

The video above is from a November 2021 report.

"(Voters) know if I'm mayor, it's gonna be fair, transparent, honest, and I play no favorites," the lawmaker said in reference to the traditionally nonpartisan mayor's race. "Houstonians, who would you want in the middle of the night to call the governor's office?"

The field, so far

Whitmire's bid to succeed term-limited Mayor Sylvester Turner expands a field of candidates who announced candidacies earlier this year, including a former Houston councilwoman and the former Harris County clerk.

Former Harris County Clerk Chris Hollins helped run the 2020 election, setting up drive-thru and overnight voting systems that were later outlawed at the state level. This is the first time he's running for a city or countywide position.

Houston attorney Amanda Edwards, who else once served as an at-large city councilmember from 2016 to 2020, is in the running as well. She ran an unsuccessful Democratic primary campaign to face U.S. Sen. John Cornyn in 2020.

Both Hollins and Edwards spoke with ABC13 anchor Gina Gaston about their plans.

SEE MORE: Former Harris County Clerk Chris Hollins running for Houston mayor in 2023

Chris Hollins filed the paperwork to replace Mayor Sylvester Turner, who is term-limited from running for office again. In this exclusive interview with ABC13's Gina Gaston, he details his vision for the office.

Former city council member Amanda Edwards joins 2023 race for Houston mayor

Former Houston City Council member Amanda Edwards is joining the 2023 race to succeed Sylvester Turner as mayor.

The Houston Chronicle reports local businessman Lee Kaplan is also running.

Election Day is Nov. 7, 2023.