Mayor Turner looks ahead to next 4 years after runoff win over Buzbee
HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) -- Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner was able to exit the campaign trail and reflect on his next four years in office Sunday. He easily beat his runoff opponent, Houston attorney Tony Buzbee, who has yet to make a traditional concession call.
"It's all good," Turner said. He has set flood improvements as one of his top priorities, as well as "the things that really concern people and that impacts their lives, their street, their neighborhood, and the city as a whole. I'm excited."
Turner won by a double digit margin over Buzbee, who had broad support from Houston firefighters.
RELATED: Sylvester Turner wins Houston's mayoral runoff election against Tony Buzbee
His referendum approved by voters last year is still on hold after the city opposed its implementation. It is still going through legal challenges.
Buzbee also had runoff day encouragement from President Trump, for whom he hosted a fundraiser for in the past. Trump tweeted for voters to "drain the swamp at city hall and crush the liberals."
SEE ALSO: Buzbee leaves on private plane, but doesn't officially concede
A political science professor from the University of Houston believes that endorsement played a part in the runoff vote and not to Buzbee's advantage.
"Houston has been blue for years," Professor Nancy Sims said. "I think people who weren't happy with Turner, who considered Buzbee an alternative, shifted back when they received the texts and robo calls from Trump."
Buzbee raised the possibility at his election night speech that he might not win, but didn't officially concede. "My whole life I've been an underdog. I've been a winner, but most likely I probably did not win tonight, but hear me when I say, I will not quit," he said. He said he plans to return to his law practice, "to represent victims and fight for them."
Sunday, Buzbee posted a picture on Instagram, aboard a private jet. "We need a bit of R&R, and then we'll be back with a vengeance," it read.
