State Senator John Whitmire (left), former Harris County Clerk Chris Hollins (second from left), and former At-Large Councilwoman Amanda Edwards appear to be the key front-runners in the race to succeed Mayor Sylvester Turner. However, former METRO Chairman Gilbert Garcia (second from right), could catapult himself into the mix if he decides to run. Remember, Gilbert Garica received a B.A. in Economics from Yale University back in 1985. He's currently serving as the managing partner at (Garcia Hamilton & Associates), a firm where he has grown from $200 million in fixed-income assets under management to over $16.8 billion under management (as of September 30, 2022). So, keep a close eye on Gilbert Garcia, over the course of the MLK Holiday, Black History Month, and Juneteenth, if he remains as active as he's been over the last few months, he's going to run. You "CLICK HERE" for important deadlines and filing requirements.
Former METRO Chairman Gilbert Garcia (left), has been growing increasingly active over the course of the last few months. He's spotted in the picture above with State Senator Borris Miles, at State Senator Miles's Turkey Giveaway. You "CLICK HERE" for important deadlines and filing requirements.
Former METRO Chairman Gilbert Garcia (left) was also spotted working beside U.S. Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee feeding Houstonians at the George R. Brown Convention Center during the Thanksgiving Holiday. You "CLICK HERE" for important deadlines and filing requirements.
Former METRO Chairman Gilbert Garcia (right), was also spotted working beside U.S. Congressman Al Green feeding Houstonians at the George R. Brown Convention Center during the Thanksgiving Holiday. You "CLICK HERE" for important deadlines and filing requirements.
The 2023 Mayoral Election, HCC School Board Election, and HISD School Board Election Will Feature Many Open Seats
AUBREY R. TAYLOR REPORTS©
Election integrity must be a major focal point of every candidate going forward. Every single "2023 Mayoral Contender" must be committed to ensuring that our election is secure and fair.
All candidates who plan to run for office in the upcoming Tuesday, November 7, 2023, City of Houston General Election, (HISD) Houston Independent School Board Election, and (HCC) Houston Community College School Board Election must make “ELECTION INTEGRITY” a top priority in my opinion. Why? Well, because, many of the incumbents who currently hold seats on the city council, and local school boards already have strong ties to some of the same “ABSENTEE BALLOT HARVESTERS” who play ball in “PRESIDENTIAL” and “GUBERNATORIAL” elections.
So, in the upcoming, 2023 City of Houston Mayoral Election, and the all-important HISD School Board, and HCC School Board races, thanks to “GOP” Megadonor Dr. Steven Hotze, and Art and Koffey Smith, the founders of “THE ENOUGH IS ENOUGH CREW” my investigative team and I will be keeping a close eye on things as part of my “WAR ON CORRUPTION” in Harris County, Texas.
As it stands right now, the race to become Houston’s next mayor is wide open from what I can, and it needs to remain that way. Everyone running for office on Tuesday, November 7, 2023, should be able to rest assured knowing that there will only be one vote counted per person. And every candidate who pays their filing fee should also be confident that no voter, regardless of their ethnicity, political leanings, or socioeconomic status will be disenfranchised, have their vote flipped to another candidate, or be suppressed.
THE FRONT-RUNNER?
Mayor Sylvester Turner (left), is term-limited and prohibited from running for reelection on Tuesday, November 7, 2023, in the race for mayor. That being said, State Senator John Whitmire is the top guy on most of the scorecards right now. You "CLICK HERE" for important deadlines and filing requirements.
As it stands right now, heading into the new year, I’ve got State Sen. John Whitmire picked as the front-runner and man to beat on Tuesday, November 7, 2023, in the race to become the next mayor of the City of Houston, Texas. Why? Well, nonpartisan races come down to which candidates can build the most diverse body of supporters. And I can already see, state Sen. John Whitmire, applying his superior negotiating skills to build one of the broadest political coalitions that I’ve ever seen this early in the game.
Many of the Black candidates like former Harris County Clerk Chris Hollins, former At-Large Councilwoman Amanda Edwards, and Missouri City Police Officer and former United States Marine (Robin Williams), appear to be on a collision course. What am I talking about? Well, for starters, there are already too many Blacks expressing interest in becoming Mayor Sylvester Turner’s successor.
Secondly, Blacks don’t make up a large enough percentage of the overall population to sustain the rate of in-fighting that we’re seeing in the Bayou City. In fact, Blacks don’t even make up a large enough portion of the overall population (or demographic) of the City of Houston, to be raising as much hell as we’re raising.
I believe as many as (12) twelve Blacks candidates could enter the Tuesday, November 7, 2023, race for Mayor of Houston, Texas before the filing deadline, which will make it very difficult for the names of Chris Hollins, Amanda Edwards, Dwight Boykins, Robin Williams, Demetria Smith, Edward Pollard, Kathy Tatum to gain much traction.
As of right now, I believe any potential 2023 City of Houston Mayoral “RUNOFF ELECTION” could end up being between State Senator John Whitmire, and a viable Hispanic – someone like former Metro Chairman Gilbert Garcia, who served as the Co-Grand Marshall of the 44th Annual Martin Luther King Jr. parade in Houston, Texas back in January of 2022.
During the 2022 Midterm Election, I saw a large swath of signs bearing Gilbert Garcia’s name and likeness, popping up all across the City of Houston, which could mean that Garcia is pondering a run.
And believe it or not, I could see a whole lot of Blacks casting their ballot for Gilbert Garcia should he enter the race, and force a runoff against the likes of someone like Senator Whitmire.
I’ve done some digging and I’ve already discovered that Gilbert Garica received a B.A. in Economics from Yale University back in 1985. Shortly after graduation, he joined Salomon Brothers in New York according to his website. Back in 2002, Gilbert joined the firm and he’s currently serving as the managing partner. From what I’ve learned, under his leadership, the Firm (Garcia Hamilton & Associates), has grown from $200 million in fixed-income assets under management to over $16.8 billion in assets under management (as of September 30, 2022).
Another thing worth noting about Gilbert Garcia is that he served as Chairman of the Metropolitan Transit Authority where under his leadership, METRO received transparency awards, and according to his website, also earned the 2015 APTA Award for Outstanding Public Transportation System Achievement.
If you ask me, “Mayor Gilbert Garcia” has a nice ring to it. And when you really start digging into Gilbert’s qualifications, it isn’t difficult to see how Houstonians could warm up to the notion of giving him a serious look-see if he throws his hat into the ring sometime between, Saturday, July 22, 2023, the first-day candidates can file for a place on the ballot.
Gilbert Garcia, according to his website, previously served as Secretary of the Board of Directors of the Houston Downtown Management District for 13 years. He was also a member of the Board of Directors of the Yale Club of Houston and a member of the Board of Trustees of the Houston Municipal Employees Pension System, which could come in handy should he decide to run for mayor.
IMPORTANT DEADLINES
Sunday, January 1, 2023,* – First Day to apply for a ballot by mail using Application for a Ballot by Mail (ABBM) or Federal Post Card Application (FPCA). *First day to file does not move because of New Year’s Day holiday. An “Annual ABBM” or FPCA for a January or February 2023 election may be filed earlier, but not earlier than the 60th day before the date of the January or February election.
Saturday, July 22, 2023 – First Day to File for Place on the General Election Ballot if you plan to run for City of Houston Mayor, Houston City Controller, Houston City Council, HISD School Board, or HCC School Board in the Bayou City.
Monday, August 21, 2023 – Last Day to File for a Place on the General Election Ballot if you plan to run for City of Houston Mayor, Houston City Controller, Houston City Council, HISD School Board, or HCC School Board in the Bayou City.
Monday, October 23, 2023 – First Day of Early Voting by Personal Appearance if you plan on casting your ballot in person at one of the Early Voting locations.
Friday, November 3, 2023 – Last Day of Early Voting by Personal Appearance if you plan on casting your ballot in person at one of the Early Voting locations.
Tuesday, November 7, 2023 – Election Day, is the final opportunity for Houstonians who didn’t cast their votes early to vote.
KEY 2023 RACES
On Tuesday, November 7, 2023, The City of Houston will conduct a general election at voting sites that will be available throughout the City of Houston. The offices that will be present on the ballot are as follows:
Mayor
Council Member, District A
Council Member, District B
Council Member, District C
Council Member, District D
Council Member, District E
Council Member, District F
Council Member, District G
Council Member, District H
Council Member, District I
Council Member, District J
Council Member, District K
Council Member, At-Large Position 1
Council Member, At-Large Position 2
Council Member, At-Large Position 3
Council Member, At-Large Position 4
Council Member, At-Large Position 5
City Controller
As you already know, Mayor Sylvester Turner is term-limited, and current City of Houston Controller, Chris Brown is also term-limited, which means Houstonians will be electing a new financial watchdog on Tuesday, November 7, 2023, in the Bayou City.
OTHER OPEN SEATS
(District E) - Councilman Dave Martin is term-limited and cannot run for re-election on Tuesday, November 7, 2023, in the Bayou City.
(District H) - Councilwoman Karla Cisneros is term-limited and cannot run for re-election on Tuesday, November 7, 2023, in the Bayou City.
(District I) - Councilman Robert Gallegos is term-limited and cannot run for re-election on Tuesday, November 7, 2023, in the Bayou City.
(At-Large Position #1) - Councilman Mike Knox is term-limited and cannot run for re-election on Tuesday, November 7, 2023, in the Bayou City.
(At-Large Position #2) - Councilman David Robinson is term-limited and cannot run for re-election on Tuesday, November 7, 2023, in the Bayou City.
(At-Large Position #3) - Councilman Michael Kubosh is term-limited and cannot run for re-election on Tuesday, November 7, 2023, in the Bayou City.
For the record, our Sixteen City of Houston Council Members, along with the Mayor and City Controller, is elected every four years in the Bayou City.
Council Members are limited to serving two terms of four years each, according to the City of Houston’s website.
In case you don’t know, the five At-Large City of Houston Council Members represent the entire city, and the other eleven are elected to geographically specific districts of roughly the same proportion of the population according to the City of Houston’s website.
FILING FEES TO RUN
If you plan to run for Mayor of Houston, your filing fee is $1,250 and must be paid in cash, by cashier’s check, or by certified check payable to the City of Houston. The fee to run for Controller is $750, and the fee to run for one of the City Council positions is only $500 dollars.
Also, please note that “FILING FEES” are non-refundable, and, no personal checks or money orders are accepted as forms of payment.
ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS
Pursuant to Texas Election Code section 141.001 and Article V, section 4 of the City of Houston Charter, to be eligible for public elective office, a candidate for City elective office:
MUST BE a United States citizen;
MUST BE 18 years of age or older on or before the first day of the term to be filled at the election;
MUST NOT have been determined by a final judgment of a court to be 1) totally mentally incapacitated or 2) partially mentally incapacitated without the right to vote;
MUST NOT have been finally convicted of a felony from which the person has not been pardoned or otherwise released from the resulting disabilities;
Please note that pursuant to Election Code section 141.031(a-1), a person who has been finally convicted of a felony must include in the application proof that the person is eligible for public office.
Release from or successful completion of probation or parole does not make a convicted felon eligible for a place on the ballot or able to hold elected office.
MUST have resided continuously in Texas for 12 months immediately preceding the filing deadline for a candidate’s application for a place on the ballot (or for write-in candidates, the date of the election at which the candidate’s name is written in);
Candidates for Mayor, City Controller, or At-Large Council Member, MUST have resided continuously in the City for 12 months immediately preceding election day;
Candidates for District Council Member MUST have resided continuously in the territory encompassed by the City Council District to be served for 12 months immediately preceding election day; and
Per Local Government Code Section 43.130, a resident of an area annexed for limited purposes is not eligible to be a candidate for or to be elected to a municipal office.
MUST be registered to vote in the territory from which the office is elected on or before the date of the filing deadline for a candidate’s application for a place on the ballot (or for write-in candidates, the date of the election at which the candidate’s name is written in).
AUBREY R. TAYLOR COMMUNICATIONS
GROUND-GAME EDITION
EMAIL: aubreyrtaylor@gmail.com
957 NASA PARKWAY #251
HOUSTON, TEXAS 77058-3039
DIRECT CONTACT: (281)788-3033
"GAME-CHANGER."
Gilbert Garcia the former METRO Chairman could throw his hat into the ring and enter the 2023 Mayoral race, that's scheduled to take place on Tuesday, November 7, 2023, in the Bayou City. If he decides to run, Gilbert Garcia could easily be considered the man with the best shot to force state Senator John Whitmire into a December 2023 Runoff Election. You "CLICK HERE" for important deadlines and filing requirements.
"GAME-CHANGER."
Investigative Reporter Aubrey R. Taylor will be keeping a close eye on the upcoming, November 7, 2023, City of Houston Mayoral Election, (HISD) Houston Independent School Board Election, and HCC Houston Community College School Board Elections, along with Dr. Steven Hotze, publisher of Conservative Republicans of Texas News, (also Founder of the Liberty Center for God & Country), and Weston Martinez, president of The Voter Fraud Bureau of Investigations. You "CLICK HERE" for important deadlines and filing requirements.
Our Upcoming 2022 Year End Review Edition Will Feature Endorsed Candidates from Our November 8, 2022, Midterm Slate Card
AUBREY R. TAYLOR REPORTS©
I’m thankful to God for His goodness, mercy, and grace today! In case you don’t know, I wasn’t born into the greatest of situations. However, throughout it all, I’ve persevered through every challenge, and can proudly say that I’ve cleared every obstacle that’s been placed in front of me, with God’s help.
As I look back over the last election season, it pleases me greatly to inform you that my “2022 MIDTERM ENDORSEMENT CARD” outperformed every other non-partisan card in the entire state of Texas. And just for the record, three out of the four awesome “GOP JUDICIAL CANDIDATES” who won their races in Harris County, Texas were all endorsed on my “2022 MIDTERM ENDORSEMENT CARD” on Tuesday, November 8, 2022, in Harris County, Texas.
PRESSING FORWARD
As I prepare to press forward into the “2024 PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION CYCLE” I would like to inform everyone that my courage is unwavering. And just so you know, my commitment to “PUTTING PEOPLE OVER POLITICS” has grown stronger, and more tenacious. That being said, “MY WAR ON CORRUPTION” in Harris County, Texas will continue, as God’s plan for my life continues to unfold.
YEAR-END REVIEW
All of the public figures you see highlighted below will be featured inside “THE UPCOMING YEAR-END REVIEW EDITON” of Houston Business Connections Newspaper© that’s scheduled to be distributed to homes and businesses inside targeted areas of Harris County, Texas including, but not limited to, Sunnyside, South Park, Acres Homes, Kashmere Gardens, Hiram Clarke, Barrett Station, Corinthians Pointe, Greater Third Ward, Fourth Ward, Fifth Ward, Greater Greenspoint, Settegast, and many others.
AUBREY R. TAYLOR COMMUNICATIONS
GROUND-GAME EDITION
EMAIL: aubreyrtaylor@gmail.com
957 NASA PARKWAY #251
HOUSTON, TEXAS 77058-3039
DIRECT CONTACT: (281)788-3033
"GAME-CHANGER."
Judge Sandra Peake (Democrat), was a bonified, seasoned attorney before she ever ran for a judicial position. That being said, she also ran for local judicial positions several times before winning. If you ask me, Judge Sandra J. Peake is the embodiment of what it means never give up. And on Tuesday, November 8, 2022, I am proud to say that I endorsed Judge Sandra Peake, as I've always done, and she won her bid for re-election, over Leonel Leo Farias, II, by a wide margin. Comparatively speaking, Judge Sandra received 548,215 votes, for 51.90% of the vote, and her opponent, Leonel Leo Farias II, only received 507,991 votes, for 48.10% of the vote.
"GAME-CHANGER."
Paula Goodhart (Republican), was endorsed by me over Judge Ronnisha Bowman (Democrat), in the race for Judge, County Criminal Court at Law No. 2, in Harris County, Texas, and she emerged victorious by a slim margin of 4,889 votes with 1,058,707 votes cast in their race.
"GAME-CHANGER."
Leslie Johnson (Republican), was endorsed by me over Porscha Natasha Brown (Democrat), in the race for Judge, County Criminal Court at Law No. 3, in Harris County, Texas, and she emerged victorious by a very slim margin of 267 votes with 1,059,382 votes cast in their race.
"GAME-CHANGER."
Jessica N. Padilla (Republican), was endorsed by me over Je’Rell A. Rogers (Democrat), in the race for Judge, County Criminal Court at Law No. 14, in Harris County, Texas, and she emerged victorious by a slim margin of 14,290 votes with 1,053 votes cast in their race.
You can "CLICK HERE" to view the cover of the "2022 Year-End Review Edition" of Houston Business Connections Newspaper. Please call (281)788-3033 to discuss your inclusion in this edition.
AUBREY R. TAYLOR COMMUNICATIONS
GROUND-GAME EDITION
EMAIL: aubreyrtaylor@gmail.com
957 NASA PARKWAY #251
HOUSTON, TEXAS 77058-3039
DIRECT CONTACT: (281)788-3033
