Houston Mayor John Whitmire said he looks forward to working with newly elected state and county officials after Tuesday's election. During his weekly mayor's report on Wednesday, he congratulated the winners of several major races, including Governor-elect Gina Hinojosa, U.S. Senator-elect James Talarico and Harris County Judge-elect Letitia Plummer.
Whitmire said many city leaders have relationships with the new officials. He said he served in the Legislature with the incoming governor and the lieutenant governor, and that he is a close friend of the incoming attorney general from their time together in the Senate. He said he has already begun talks with some incoming officials about collaboration.
Whitmire also said he supports state Rep. Senfronia Thompson, a Houston Democrat, for speaker of the Texas House. Thompson announced her candidacy after the election, which Democrats won with a majority in the House. Whitmire said he has talked with Thompson and is helping her build support among urban members and across party lines.