Houston District C candidates Joe Panzarella and Nick Hellyar face off in runoff election

HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) -- Houston's District C City Council seat is up for grabs.

The seat is in play after Councilmember Abbie Kamin resigned to run for Harris County Attorney.

That move triggered a special election, but when none of the 7 candidates reached 50% of the vote, the election went to a runoff.

READ RELATED: 2 candidates in Houston District C council race appear to be headed to runoff election

The district spans many of the City of Houston's well-known areas, including The Heights, Montrose, and Oak Forest.

Both candidates vowed to make life better for Houstonians if elected.

There are important issues facing the race winner.

"The city really takes care of government that's closest to your fingertips. So, the water, the streets, the sidewalks, you know, all the things that make people call City Hall," University of Houston political science lecturer Nancy Sims said.

The winner will also play a part in the 2027 fiscal year budget process.

"This person is going to take office in the middle of the city budget process. So, hearings have already started by departments presenting their cases for the budget funds they need for the next fiscal year in '26, '27, so this person will take office and have to vote on the budget in June," Sims said.

Approximately 6,600 people voted early in the runoff election, according to unofficial totals posted on the Harris County Clerk's Office website.

The election results are expected to be certified, and the winner will be sworn in late May, according to Sims.