HOUSTON -- Voters narrowed down the field of candidates for Houston mayor to two, and both hit the ground running on Wednesday, KPRC Local 2 reported.

Annise Parker received 53,919 votes and Gene Locke won 43,974 votes to make it into a runoff to be held in December.

"My volunteers are back at headquarters today," Parker said. "They will be working hard throughout these weeks of runoff. I believe I'll win on the strength of my grassroots effort."

"You take the momentum that's been built and you build on that momentum," Locke said. "You obviously tweak the campaign. You make some adjustment because now instead of being four candidates you're down to two. The issues become much more clear and the personalities become much clearer."

Parker said managing the city's budget is a top priority.

"In this tough economy, we need someone who can manage the budget and financial situation of the city of Houston and lead our city going forward," Parker said.

Locke said public safety is one of Houston's biggest problems.

"You cannot be a great city unless you're a safe city," he said. "We've also got to be a city where we constantly grow jobs. The economy of Houston has to be one where people can always invest in Houston and grow Houston. I'm real big on growing jobs and making sure we can be a leader nationally."

The candidates will battle for the support of those who voted for others in the general election.

Locke said he plans to ask for the support of those who votes for candidates who didn't make it into the runoff.

"You try to show people that by working together, we can build a better Houston," he said.

"I'm reaching out to my voters and then I will reach out to the voters of those candidates who didn't make it into the runoff," Parker said. "I just need to make sure that my people show back up on Dec. 12."