1997 Houston mayoral election

1997 Houston mayoral election

←  1995 November 4, 1997 (first round) December 6, 1997 (runoff) 1999  →

Candidate Lee Brown Robert Mosbacher George Greanias First round 126,5478 41% 90,004 29% 52,937 17% Runoff 156,169 53% 140,321 47% Eliminated   Candidate Gracie Saenz First round 21,752 7% Runoff Eliminated

Mayor before election Lee Brown Elected mayor Lee Brown

The 1997 Houston mayoral election took place on November 4, 1997 to elect the successor to term-limited Mayor Bob Lanier. ^[1] With no candidate receiving a majority of the votes, a run-off was held on December 6, 1997. The ultimate result was Lee Brown winning the election. The election was officially non-partisan. ^[2]

Lee Brown won the run-off election, making him the first African-American mayor of Houston. ^[3]

Candidates

• Richard Barry
• Lee Brown, former Director of the National Drug Control Policy ^[3]
• Brenard Calkins
• George Greanias
• Helen Huey
• Jeane-Claude Lanau
• Robert Mosbacher, local businessman ^[3]
• Gracie Saenz

Results

Houston mayoral election, 1997

Candidate		Votes	%
Lee Brown		126,547	41%
Robert Mosbacher		90,004	29%
George Greanias		52,937	17%
Gracie Saenz		21,752	7%
Helen Huey		10,775	4%
Richard Barry		3,739	1%

Houston mayoral election, 1997 run-off

Candidate		Votes	%
Lee Brown		156,169	53%
Robert Mosbacher		140,321	47%

References

1. "AllPolitics - Houston Elects First Black Mayor - Dec. 7, 1997". CNN. Retrieved December 15, 2024.
2. "Brown Seizes Narrow Houston Victory". The Washington Post.
3. Verhovek, Sam Howe (December 8, 1997). "Black Mayor". New York Times. Retrieved February 12, 2024.