Nov. 4 elections head to 2026 runoff
Voters approve all 17 proposed amendments to state constitution
With the majority of votes being counted from the Nov. 4 contests, it appeared at press time that both special elections would be headed to a runoff, with no candidates securing 50 percent of the vote or more in the crowded races.
In the 16-candidate contest for the 18th Congressional District seat vacated this past March by the death of former Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner, Amanda Edwards will face Christian Menefee in a runoff in early 2026.
With 77 percent of precincts reporting, Menefee received approximately 29 percent of the vote, while Edwards received around 26 percent of the vote.
Also performing well – but still falling far short of the 50 percent threshold needed – was state representative and former City Council Member Johanna Jones, who received around 19 percent of the vote at press time.
None of the 13 remaining candidates in the race secured more than 7 percent of the vote in the crowded field.
In the 15-candidate race to fill Houston’s citywide At-Large Position 4 seat vacated by Letitia Plummer, who stepped down earlier this year to campaign for Harris County judge, Alejandra Salinas will head to a runoff against former Houston District D City Council Member Dwight Boykin. The At-Large Position 4 runoff will be held on Saturday, Dec. 13.
With 65 percent of precincts reporting, Salinas had received 21 percent of the vote, while Boykin received 20 percent of the vote.
Also performing well in the crowded race were Jordan Thomas who received 16 percent of the vote and Sonia Rivera who received around 11 percent of the vote.
None of the remaining 11-candidates had secured more than 7 percent of the vote at press time.
Voters also approved all 17 proposed amendments to the state constitution, with all measures easily passing with 100 percent of precincts reporting.
At press time, a runoff date had not yet been announced, but the follow-up contests have traditionally been held in January or early February of the subsequent year.
Longtime resident Gilbert Aguilar dies
A volunteer for decades, Aguilar recognized by PISD, Dobie
Longtime South Belt resident and community volunteer Gilbert Aguilar died Oct. 28 at the age of 93.
To hundreds of Dobie students and Spanish-speaking South Belt residents, Aguilar stood as a rainbow of hope and a fountain of generosity. For roughly 20 years, Aguilar reached out to assist struggling students and helped improve the socialization skills of Spanish-speaking residents.
While an extensive volunteer at both Beverly Hills Intermediate and Dobie High School, Aguilar devoted most of his free time at the latter campus.
Almost a daily fixture at Dobie for two decades, Aguilar assisted ESL and special education programs, provided tutoring and counseled at-risk students. He established English-improvement classes for Dobie staff workers. And when parents of immigrant students sought similar help, Aguilar arranged classes at the Parker Williams Library Branch.
A retired U.S. Coast Guard officer, Aguilar was also active in Dobie’s JROTC program.
Retiring from the Coast Guard in 1976 with 28 years of service, Aguilar was a veteran of both the Korean and Vietnam conflicts.
Following his military retirement, Aguilar earned a bachelor’s degree from the University of Houston, and then followed in his wife Helen’s footsteps and became a school volunteer.
Helen and Aguilar were married for 73 years and were a staple at various South Belt events for decades. The couple were recently recognized as being church elders at St. Luke the Evangelist’s 50th anniversary celebration.
Aguilar also served as a literacy volunteer at St. Luke Catholic Church.
In 2000, Aguilar was named Pasadena ISD’s Distinguished Citizen of the Year.
“A growing number of Pasadena ISD students come from Central and South American countries with little ability to speak English,” a statement from Pasadena ISD said at the time.
“These young people are at an educational disadvantage until they learn enough English to be successful in school. Assisting with tutorials before and after school, Gilbert Aguilar works with students in ESL classes and extended-day programs, providing homework assistance and tutorials. He also teaches survival English skills to students and parents who are new to this country through his work in the schools, his church and the local library.”
The following year in 2001, Aguilar earned the prestigious Texas Heroes for Children Award.
In 2013, Aguilar was inducted into Dobie High School’s recently created Hall of Honor for his community volunteer efforts.
A wake will be held for Aguilar Thursday, Nov. 13, at Peevey Funeral Home, 12440 Beamer, from 5 to 7 p.m.
A memorial Mass will be celebrated the following day Friday, Nov. 14, at St. Luke the Evangelist Catholic Church, 11011 Hall Road, beginning at 11 a.m.
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