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Harris County Democrats Bar Houston Mayor John Whitmire From Future Endorsements

The move is largely symbolic in a nonpartisan mayor’s race, spotlighting a growing rift inside local Democrats.

Overview

  • Precinct chairs voted 186–80 on Sunday to withhold future Harris County Democratic Party endorsements from Whitmire.
  • The reprimand followed his appearance at a fundraiser for Republican Rep. Dan Crenshaw and complaints over policies including HPD’s cooperation with ICE and the rainbow crosswalk dispute with Gov. Greg Abbott.
  • Progressive Caucus leaders organized the push, while a letter from Democratic elected officials such as Rep. Lizzie Fletcher and Sen. Carol Alvarado urged rejection to preserve unity.
  • Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo publicly encouraged passage of the resolution, telling precinct chairs to approve the measure in a social media post.
  • Whitmire said the vote changes nothing about his 50-year Democratic record or cross-party approach, as analysts noted the largely symbolic rebuke could invite a progressive challenge in 2027.