Houston Mayor Runoff Election 2019: Turner Declares Victory

HOUSTON, TX — Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner declared victory over his challenger, Tony Buzbee, in the runoff election for mayor. Polls closed at 7 p.m. in Houston for Saturday's runoff election for mayor and other municipal seats that did not have a clear winner in the November election.

Final unofficial early voting results show Turner with 56.04 percent of the vote and Buzbee with 43.96 percent of the vote.

According to The Houston Chronicle, Turner has declared victory but Buzbee has not yet conceded.

"Let this campaign be a reminder that you can grow up and still live in the ‘hood, and still be the mayor of the fourth largest city in the United States of America," Turner said at a victory speech, as reported by the Chronicle. "My dad and mom said to their nine kids, 'You can compete. You can do well. We may not have what somebody else has. We may not drive what somebody else drives. But Sylvester, you can still compete.' And tonight in this city, you have reaffirmed the message of my parents."

In November's election, Turner finished with 46 percent of the vote while Buzbee came through with 29 percent of the vote in the crowded race.

Patch will update this story as results begin to come in from the Harris County Clerk's Office. Check back for the latest.

>>>See the latest results in the city council runoff election.

>>>See the latest results in the Houston ISD and community college trustee runoff election.

Turner has been serving as Houston Mayor since 2016 after he narrowly defeated Bill King in a runoff election in 2015. On his campaign website, Turner lists his response to Hurricane Harvey, trimming the city budget and and appointing Art Acevedo as Houston's police chief to combat crimes as among his achievements. The incumbent mayor has also been endorsed by The Houston Chronicle.

Buzbee calls crime a serious problem facing the city. Other issues Buzbee highlighted on his website include the need to prepare for flooding and fighting corruption. See where Buzbee stands on all the issues.