In September we held the Houston Mayoral Forum on Transportation. Due to no candidate receiving 50% of votes the two top candidates, Sheila Jackson Lee and John Whitmire, are in a runoff election. We asked them a few questions to better understand their positions on the state of transportation in Houston and the surrounding region. Early voting runs through December 5th and the Runoff Election Day is Saturday, December 9th. For more information on polling locations please visit the Harris County Clerks Office website.
Both candidates received the questionnaire. We received a response from Sheila Jackson Lee only.
- Do you commit to appointing METRO board members who support the METRONext Moving Forward plan passed by voters in 2019?
- Sheila Jackson Lee – Yes
- John Whitmire – N/A
- Do you commit to advocate for proportional representation at the Houston-Galveston Area Council, as required by Proposition B?
- Sheila Jackson Lee – Yes
- John Whitmire – N/A
- Do you commit to preserving and expanding the city’s network of high-comfort bikeways?
- Sheila Jackson Lee – Yes
- John Whitmire – N/A
- Do you commit to preserving and expanding the city’s network of sidewalks?
- Sheila Jackson Lee – Yes
- John Whitmire – N/A
- Do you commit to advocate for changes to TxDOT projects if they are not in Houston’s interests?
- Sheila Jackson Lee – Yes
- John Whitmire – N/A
Additional Comments:
- Sheila Jackson Lee: “I believe that Houston can be the transportation research and innovation hub of America. We should be the first in high speed rail and aerial transportation and should have a METRO rail system that connects downtown to both our major airports.”
- John Whitmire: N/A
