Date set for Houston City Council District B runoff over a year after the original election

Cynthia Bailey talks to KPRC 2 on Aug. 28, 2019. (KPRC)

HOUSTON – A date for the runoff in the race for Houston City Council District B seat has been set, more than a year after the original election.

Harris County Clerk Chris Hollins announced Wednesday that the deciding contest between Cynthia Bailey and Tarsha Jackson will be held Dec. 12.

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Jackson finished first in the 2019 general election but did not garner enough of the vote to avoid a runoff with Bailey, the second-place finisher.

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The pair were to stand for a runoff about a month later, but it has been delayed for more than a year by a series of legal challenges by third-place finisher Renee Jefferson-Smith. At issue was whether Bailey, a convicted felon, can run for the seat. A state appeals court ruled in August that Bailey can remain on the ballot.

“It’s a shame that it has taken this long to determine the future of District B, but I’m glad that this matter will soon be put to rest,” Hollins said in a written statement. “Voters in District B will have an important decision to make this December.”

The District B seat is still filled by Councilman Jerry Davis, who was to vacate the seat because of term limitations.