HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) — If it seems as if it’s always election season, that’s because it almost always is. Right now, early voting is underway for a special election runoff for an open Houston City Council seat.
Just 300 votes separated the top two candidates in November, and now both head to a runoff to fill the open seat that voters are already casting their ballots for.
When Houston City Council member Letitia Plummer resigned to run for Harris County Judge in 2026, that left At-Large Position 4 open. It’s a seat that represents all of Houston. The top vote-getter in the special election among fifteen candidates was attorney Alejandra Salinas.
Salinas told ABC13 she wants the city to be more creative in how it funds important programs.
“I’ve spent the last 20 years taking on big fights and getting things done,” Salinas said. “Got my start organizing students for Barack Obama nationally and as a partner at Sussman Godfrey, have taken on some of the biggest companies in the world and held them to account. And I want to take all of those lessons from organizing and advocacy to help Houstonians, to make sure that all of us, no matter who we are or where we come from, deserve to live in a world-class city with world-class services, and that’s what I want to fight for each and every day.”
And she said, as important as infrastructure, fixing broken water pipes, and public safety are to residents, so should be doing the little things.
“Affordable and reliable city services,” she said. “Just getting the basics right as a city. Picking up your trash on time. Picking up your recycling. Making sure the roads are safe to drive on.”
Dwight Boykins is a former city council member seeking a return to city hall. He says he believes budget issues will improve, but so must the city’s infrastructure.
“There are so many city-wide initiatives we have to take on, and I think hitting the ground running will make a difference,” Boykins said. “Dealing with streets and drainage. We’re so close to the Gulf Coast, and flooding coming our way on a regular basis. Our infrastructure must be in place. I think experience counts, and I think the record I proved as a district council member will only enhance our city going forward, citywide.”
Whoever wins will finish the two years left on Plummer’s unfinished term. In the meantime, they have less than two weeks to get people out to the polls in the middle of the holiday season on a Saturday with little else on the ballot.
“I’m so grateful to all of the Houstonians who voted for me the first time and know that I’m going to work incredibly hard to earn their vote in the runoff election,” Salinas said.
“We anticipate a 60% drop (in turnout),” Boykins said. “We just need people to turn out, Tom, and if they turn out, I think we win.”
Early voting is already underway. Election Day is Saturday, December 13.
For updates on this story, follow Tom Abrahams on Facebook, X and Instagram.
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