City Elections are finally kicking into gear as summer approaches. This is actually a late start to the campaign season. The City’s redistricting process has held up the usual frantic fundraising process as candidates study the lines and watch to see districts materialize.

Mayor Parker drew an opponent last week. Deputy Fire Chief Fernando Herrera announced his intention to challenge Parker. While the media took interest, this is not really a breaking news item. Herrera has sought office before, as a Republican State Representative candidate, and lost. I’m not sure if he has studied the demographics and voting patterns of people living inside the Houston city limits, but they do not usually vote for Republicans. Further, Herrera will have a difficult time raising funds to be anywhere near competitive with Mayor Parker. In fact, it gives Parker an excuse to build on her $2 million war chest and to spend those funds telling the story of her first term.

City Council At-Large 2 has several announced candidates and many of them have been crying in the wilderness for several months, hoping someone would listen. Incumbent Sue Lovell is term-limited. We’ll review this race in more detail in the coming weeks.

The newly drawn District C is the district race we’re hearing most about. It has already drawn two candidates, based upon the proposed lines, and will likely attract even more. Both candidates come from the south side of the district but there is a sizable population on the north side. The proposed district runs from Montrose/Greenway area to pick up the Heights, Timbergrove areas. More power to the person who wins this seat as they will have very in tune, demanding and engaged constituents to represent.

We will be discussing and dissecting the candidates and campaigns as they take shape over the next few weeks.