Democratic Senator John Whitmire won the election for mayor of Houston, Texas

Democratic state senator John Whitmire defeated U.S. Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee in a landslide victory to become the next mayor of Houstonin Texas.

The Associated Press announced Whitmire’s election at 7:24 p.m. Saturday, less than half an hour after polls closed. Mail-in ballots and early voting saw Whitmire win more than 65% of the vote.

Whitmire will succeed Mayor Sylvester Turner, who is term-limited. The position is nonpartisan, although Whitmire has served in the Texas Senate as a Democrat since 1983, making him the chamber’s highest-ranking member.

NBC News also projects that Whitmire won the Houston mayoralty.

Whitmire ran on a platform of increasing public safety, fixing streets and reducing cronyism at City Hall. He also promised to improve the relationship between Houston and the Republican-led Legislature in Austin.

In her victory speech Saturday, Whitmire promised to expand the city’s police force and address infrastructure problems with roads and water systems, according to the Texas Tribune.

“The first day we will have a council meeting and then I invite each and every one of you and I will bring your friends and neighbors,” Whitmire said. “Your mayor will meet you at the front door of City Hall to open the door for you.”

Sheila Jackson Lee acknowledged Whitmire’s victory and congratulated him on being Houston’s next mayor Saturday night.

With information from The Associated Press and NBC News.

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