In my neck of the woods, we only have two elections where one gets to vote for a person, the at-large (4) four-position, and the HISD trustee.
I had just finished scanning how I was voting, drinking my coffee, and reading the latest history (news) and opinions. When I got the Houston Chronicle, there was a big headline from the Chronicle endorsing one of the candidates, but they started by taking swings at the man they had endorsed not too long ago. That should tell anyone capable of thinking that the Editorial Board of the Houston Chronicle is not the best source for whom to vote.
Additional information here and here:
Opinion//Recommendations by the Editorial Board
Houston needs someone on City Council willing to stand up to the mayor | Endorsement
For At Large 4, Jordan Thomas presents an optimistic vision in conflict with Mayor Whitmire. That’s good.
By The Editorial Board, Opinions from the Houston Chronicle Editorial BoardOct 9, 2025
Despite that insider experience — or perhaps because of it — Thomas is a sharp critic of the status quo at City Hall. He’s skeptical of how tax increment reinvestment zones divert funds to wealthy neighborhoods while exacerbating the city’s budget challenges. He’s also quick to call out the history of alleged corruption in institutions such as the Midtown Management District, which largely failed in its mission to deliver affordable housing.
Finally, we endorse Thomas because he has the unique ability to fill a much-needed role at City Hall — dedicated opposition.
Since the election of John Whitmire, we have watched as the City Council has been cowed by our strong mayor system. With 50 years of political experience, Whitmire has had little difficulty using his power to steamroll his opponents and force his allies to fall in line. Behind the scenes and off the record we hear elected officials and civic leaders muttering about how the mayor has gone astray, but few are brave enough to speak up out of fear that they’ll earn his ire and political punishment.
I am sure that there are exceptions, but Journalism or English majors are not known for their ability to use logic, and the editorial board of the Houston Chronicle proves that point.
Council Member Pollard has been standing there like the Prophet Elijah. When his actions in District J yielded results that were better than Houston’s overall, Whitmire prohibited the police officers whom Edwards had hired with District J money from directly assisting his district. Where was the editorial board to come and defend the one person who is standing watch? Whitmire has made our district less safe by acting like the childish man-child that he is.
The Chronicle certainly didn’t think much of Edward Pollard when he first ran for District J.
I haven’t looked at the person that they suggested, but I did write something about the three that some Democratic Clubs thought were viable candidates. The Chronicle’s choice was among those three. This is what a blogger thought about Mr. Thomas.
Mr. Thomas said he was for a new HERO-type ordinance and discussed how in the aftermath of the recent killing of a well-known influencer, some people felt the need to go after trans people and threaten Historically Black Colleges and Universities.
It would not surprise me if the answer is the thing that tipped the Chronicle’s endorsement for Mr. Thomas. Do we really need to have HERO pop up on our screens again?
Democrats are more worried about crosswalks being repainted to remove the Pride painting than they are about what is happening to the Hispanic community in Houston.
While I don’t give Miguel Herrera much of a chance to make a run-off, I want him to get sufficient votes that he will not be discouraged from trying again. If Dwight Boykins makes it to the run-off, I will probably vote for him, as anyone that the Chronicle dislikes that much must have some redeeming qualities.
Herrera is a Hispanic, and thus I will vote for him, just as gays vote for gays, blacks vote for blacks, asians vote for asians, why should Hispanics be different than the rest of America? Who do whites vote for? Mostly, whites, just like the rest of the group. Besides, there are only two letters different from my last name, Barrera.
Below is how I will be voting. Baker is a Trump trooper, so there’s no way I would vote for him. The amendments I will discuss later, before early voting begins.
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