A new year will bring big changes to the Houston City Council. Seven new council members will be sworn in on Jan. 3 and start working right away to try to make a positive difference. But what difference will they make? The seven new council members join nine veterans during a time when polarizing points of view have contributed to gridlock in governmental bodies all across the nation.

What will be the new council priority? Will Mayor Annise Parker gain or lose support from the 2012 council?

Joining host Khambrel Marshall are newly elected council members:

• Helena Brown - District A: Council Member-Elect Brown won in an upset over incumbent Council Member Brenda Stardig, supported by the Harris County Republican Party against Republican Stardig.

• Jerry Davis - District B: Council Member-Elect Davis won in his first attempt at political office and says one of his priorities will be to work with entrepreneurs and small business owners to create programs that provide support. 

• Ellen Cohen - District C: No newcomer to politics, this former state legislator gets back into elective office and says the city needs more police officers and that will be one of her main priorities to keep Houston's neighborhoods safe.

• Larry Green - District K: The CEO of HoustonWorks, Green, in his first political attempt, is making job creation one of the priorities in this newly created district.

• Andrew C. Burks Jr. - At Large District 2: After repeated attempts at elective office, Burks gets his first chance to make a mark. This Democrat received conservative Republican endorsements and says he will push for fiscal responsibility in city spending.

• Jack Christie - At Large District 5: Council Member-Elect Christie unseated incumbent Jolanda Jones and in a reversal of CM-Elect Burks, Christie is a Republican endorsed by former Mayor Bill White who says working together to achieve success will be one of his goals.

More Information:

• Houston City Council

• Helena Brown: districta@houstontx.gov

• Jerry Davis: districtb@houstontx.gov

• Ellen Cohen: districtc@houstontx.gov

• Larry Green: districtk@houstontx.gov

• Andrew C. Burks Jr.: atlarge2@houstontx.gov

• Jack Christie: atlarge5@houstontx.gov