Politics & Policy
November 17, 2023
J. W. Lown Governed San Angelo With a Smile—and Constituents Like Me Won’t Forget It
He lived out his last years in Mexico as a real estate agent, dreaming of returning home to Texas with his husband.
Mayor
Politics & Policy
August 14, 2023
Houston Is Young and Dynamic. Its Next Leader Won’t Be.
The leading candidates for Houston mayor are two septuagenarians: state senator John Whitmire and U.S. congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee. What happened to the city of the future?
Politics & Policy
July 28, 2023
Her Daughter Was Killed in Uvalde. Now She’s Running for Mayor.
Kimberly Mata-Rubio says after the tragedy, Uvalde remains a divided community—she wants to change that.
Energy
December 15, 2017
Texas Mayors Pledge to Fight Climate Change
Part of the Climate Mayors organization, the leaders are striving to meet goals stated in the Paris Agreement.
The Culture
October 19, 2016
The Spirit of ’76
Forty years ago I built forts on Bird Creek, raced at the roller rink, and watched my dad run for mayor of Temple.
Politics & Policy
January 27, 2016
Hail to the Chief?
Houston greets its new mayor, Sylvester Turner, with a host of big-city problems.
The Culture
March 12, 2014
Meanwhile, in Texas . . .
Some crazy stuff went down in Texas in the past thirty days. Here are some of the headlines you may have missed.
Politics & Policy
March 1, 2010
Out and About
Annise Parker, the newly elected mayor of Houston, is ready to discuss any of the challenges facing her city. That will happen as soon as everyone else is ready to stop talking about her sexuality.
Politics & Policy
April 1, 2002
Life of the Party
Night of the living Democrat.
News & Politics
March 1, 1999
Elementary Watson
After only two years on the job, he’s gotten Austin’s environmentalists and developers to work together. That’s why Kirk Watson is our first annual Best Mayor for Business.
Politics & Policy
June 30, 1998
A Letter to the Mayor
The Honorable Lee P. Brown Mayor of HoustonHouston, TexasDear Mayor Brown,THANKS AGAIN FOR SEEING ME the other day. I’m always happy to have a reason to go to Houston City Hall. It’s not much to look at from the outside, but inside it’s one of my favorite
True Crime
April 30, 1998
Whodunit?
The mysterious murder of a small-town mayor.
Politics & Policy
December 1, 1997
Brown in Front
Ten reasons why former police chief Lee Brown is well positioned to be elected Houston’s first black mayor on December 6: (1) He ran stronger than expected in the November 4 primary, with 42 percent to Rob Mosbacher’s 29 percent. Both were projected to poll in the 30’s. (2) The
Politics & Policy
July 31, 1997
Branded
McAllen’s mayor is Branded a loser for the first time in twenty years.
Politics & Policy
April 1, 1997
Alamodoomed
San Antonio mayor Bill Thornton likes to talk about the future, but he’s still a politician of the past—and so is everyone who’s running against him.
Politics & Policy
February 1, 1997
Fratricidal Black Politics
The Houston mayoral election doesn’t occur until November, but the race to succeed Bob Lanier is already the talk of the town. Three blacks would like to be Houston’s first black mayor, and many blacks—among them Houston Chronicle editorial writer James T. Campbell—think that’s two too many. Former top cop
Politics & Policy
November 1, 1996
Affairs of State
Mónica García Velásquez, the first female mayor of Nuevo Laredo, is smart, poised, and articulate, especially when it comes to dismissing rumors about her love life.
Politics & Policy
November 1, 1995
Smelling Like a Rose
Critics complain about Houston’s rising debt, but Mayor Bob Lanier’s reputation is blooming, which is why he’ll win a third term this month.
Politics & Policy
April 30, 1995
Race Matters
Ron Kirk is ready to be Dallas’ first black mayor. But is Dallas ready for him?
Politics & Policy
November 1, 1991
The Three Kingdoms of Kathy Whitmire
Her critics used to say that Houston’s mayor was a great administrator but a bad politician. Now, on the eve of her toughest race, her critics are saying just the opposite.
Politics & Policy
May 31, 1988
The Self-Destruction of Lance Lalor
Houston’s city controller prided himself on being the most scrupulously honest politician in town. So why did he sign his name to someone else credit card?
Politics & Policy
September 1, 1987
The Time of His Life
Henry Cisneros has the vision and charisma of a born leader. Does it matter that he has the soul of an Aggie?
Politics & Policy
October 1, 1985
The Kathy Ratings
Kathy Whitmire’s substantial achievements as mayor of Houston are overshadowed by her bad public image and political ineptitude—not a good situation for a candidate seeking a third term.