Friday, November 13, 2015

Mayoral Candidate Bill King speaks with Students


Candidate Bill King, for the 2015 Houston Mayoral Election, spoke with WAIS government students today. Bill King shared with students about how local politics work, and the current issues Houston is facing. He explained the positions he supports, and spoke on his perspectives regarding Houston's issues and potential solutions.

The general election for Houston's next mayor was already held, but no candidate took majority of the votes. As such, a run-off election will be held on December 12th between the two leading candidates, Bill King and Sylvester Turner.

Bill King also urged students to get more involved with their city and local politics. Regardless of who they vote for, King urged students to educate themselves on local politics, candidates, and participate in voting. King spoke on the lack of participation in the city's youth in politics. In the General Election less than 5% of the populace voted, and King stated that the average voter is older than he is.

King holds degrees in both political science and law from the University of Houston. King was the first person in his family to earn a college degree. If King wins, this will not be his first time serving as Mayor- King served as the mayor for two terms in nearby city, Kemah, from 1992-2004. If elected, Bill King will be the first republican mayor of Houston since Jim McConn who served from 1978 - 1982.

This is the first run-off election since 2009. Current mayor Annise Parker was re-elected by over 50% in both 2011 and 2013. Parker grew up in Spring Branch and attended Spring Branch public schools until the age of 15 when her family moved to a US Army Post in Germany. Parker attended Rice University on a National Merit Scholarship.

Candidate Sylvester Turner is scheduled to speak with WAIS students later this year.


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