Key Takeaways:
- Houston Mayor John Whitmire, a lifelong Democrat, has been barred from receiving the Democratic Party’s endorsement in the future due to his attendance at a fundraiser for a Republican congressman.
- The decision was made by the Harris County Democratic Party, with 186 precinct chairs voting in favor of the reprimand and 80 voting against.
- The move is seen as a symbolic defeat for Whitmire, who has been a Democrat for over 50 years, and could potentially impact his reelection bid in 2027.
- The Progressive Caucus of the Harris County Democratic Party pushed for the reprimand, citing Whitmire’s attendance at the fundraiser and his stance on issues such as immigration and policing.
- The decision has sparked a divide within the party, with some members arguing that it will make the party stronger and others claiming it will drive away moderates.
Introduction to the Controversy
Houston Mayor John Whitmire, a lifelong Democrat, has been barred from receiving the Democratic Party’s endorsement in the future due to his attendance at a fundraiser for U.S. Rep. Dan Crenshaw, a Houston Republican. The decision was made by the Harris County Democratic Party, with 186 precinct chairs voting in favor of the reprimand and 80 voting against. The move is seen as a symbolic defeat for Whitmire, who has been a Democrat for over 50 years, and could potentially impact his reelection bid in 2027.
The Vote and Its Implications
The vote was largely symbolic, as the party did not make an endorsement in the 2023 mayoral race due to the presence of multiple Democratic candidates. However, the decision marks a stinging political defeat for Whitmire, who has been a popular mayor. In a statement, Whitmire thanked his supporters and said the resolution "changes nothing," including his "50-year record of voting and supporting Democratic values." However, the admonishment by his own party could have an impact on Whitmire’s reelection bid in 2027, according to Brandon Rottinghaus, a political science professor at the University of Houston.
The Progressive Push
The Progressive Caucus of the Harris County Democratic Party pushed hard for the reprimand, whipping precinct chair votes and establishing a public narrative about Whitmire as a right-of-center political figure. Karthik Soora, a member of the Progressive Caucus leadership team, argued that Whitmire’s refusal to push back on legally mandated cooperation between the Houston Police Department and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) undercut his support at a time when "people are frustrated with the politics as they are." The progressives received a last-minute boost from Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo, who advocated for the resolution in a social media post on Saturday.
The Divide Within the Party
The decision has sparked a divide within the party, with some members arguing that it will make the party stronger and others claiming it will drive away moderates. Fred Woods, a Harris County Democratic Party precinct chair and community activist, opposed the resolution, saying it was "silly" and would make people feel like they are not part of the party. However, Soora argued that the move was necessary to hold Whitmire accountable for his actions and to push the party in a more progressive direction.
The Road to 2027
The decision could have implications for Whitmire’s reelection bid in 2027, with some predicting that it will open the door to a more progressive challenger. Members of the Progressive Caucus already have their eyes on 2027, with Soora saying they intend to run a "slate of city council candidates." The success of Alejandra Salinas, who was recommended but not endorsed by the caucus, in the at-large city council runoff election on Saturday has given the progressives hope that they can make gains in the city. As Soora said, "Change is coming to Houston." However, it remains to be seen whether the decision will have a significant impact on Whitmire’s reelection bid, with some arguing that it will not have much of a negative impact on his efforts.
