HOUSTON – Joe Panzarella, a progressive community organizer, is the projected winner of the Houston City Council District C runoff election Saturday night, defeating former city council aide Nick Hellyar by a wide margin, according to results reported by the Harris County Clerk’s Office.
Panzarella received 64.7% of the 9,912 votes cast to Hellyar’s 35.3%, More than 3,330 ballots were cast on Election Day.
The runoff was held to fill the District C seat being vacated by Abbie Kamin, who is stepping down as she runs for Harris County Attorney after being appointed to the position on an interim basis. District C stretches from the Heights through Montrose to Meyerland.
City Council Member-Elect Panzarella released the following statement following Saturday’s results:
“The residents of District C made their voices clear yesterday: that we believe in a vision of Houston with safe streets, affordable housing, and a transparent government that serves us all.
This campaign was powered by neighbors who wore out the soles of their sneakers blockwalking, by staffers who gave their time freely, by family and friends with an ambitious vision for our city. This is a grassroots movement, led by people who are deeply committed to Houston. You have my deepest gratitude.
It is no surprise that when everyday Houstonians unite, we accomplish the incredible. When power is won together, we share it together. I am honored to represent you.
Our decisive victory is a testament to the hope we have for a united, inclusive, and resilient city. It is a rallying cry for a Houston where infrastructure supports our residents’ mobility and safety, where housing is affordable and residents are secure in their homes, where flooding is proactively mitigated and swiftly managed, and where the decisions made at City Hall are transparent and representative of Houstonians’ needs and wants.
It is my privilege to have your support and to earn the trust of those who had wished for a different outcome last night. Now we roll up our sleeves and get to work.
Let’s build a better Houston, together.”
Houston City Council Member-Elect Joe Panzarella
KPRC 2 News has reached out to the Nick Hellyar Campaign for additional comment.