Election Day scheduled to take
place Nov. 3
Election Day is set for Tuesday, Nov. 3, with local voters weighing in on city, county, state and federal contests.
Several races on the ballot are to fill open positions created by vacating representatives seeking higher office.
The election also marks the first general election for many South Belt residents under congressional boundaries redrawn during Texas’ recent mid-decade redistricting process.
The changes affect nearly all voters in the immediate South Belt area. Neighborhoods that previously voted in congressional districts 22 and 29 have largely been reassigned, with most local residents now falling within congressional districts 9, 18 or 36.
For many residents, the most significant change is the shift from Congressional District 22 to Congressional District 36. As a result, thousands of voters who previously cast ballots in a suburban district centered farther southwest are now represented by an urban district covering communities east and northeast of the Houston area.
Redistricting has also introduced many South Belt voters to congressional districts 9 and 18 for the first time. Both districts have long played significant roles in Houston’s minority political representation and have been represented by some of the area’s most recognizable political figures.
District 9 was represented for more than two decades by Al Green, while District 18 was represented by the late Sheila Jackson Lee for nearly 30 years. Both lawmakers became prominent voices on civil rights and other issues affecting Houston’s diverse communities.
Voters in Congressional District 18 have also experienced an unusual period of turnover in recent years following the deaths of Jackson Lee and her successor, former Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner. After a special election and multiple changes in representation, voters there will now select a representative for a full term.
U.S. Senate
At the top of the ballot statewide is the open U.S. Senate race between Democrat James Talarico, Republican Ken Paxton and Libertarian Ted Brown.
Congressional races
Depending on where they live, South Belt area voters will cast ballots in one of three congressional contests.
– Congressional District 9: Democrat Leticia Gutierrez faces Republican Alex Mealer in an open-seat race. The district includes portions of southeast Harris County and represents many communities south and southwest of downtown Houston.
– Congressional District 18: Former Harris County Attorney Christian Menefee, the Democratic nominee, faces Republican Ronald Dwayne Whitfield in another open-seat contest. The winner will succeed a district that has seen significant political change during the past several years and will represent portions of Houston’s urban core and surrounding neighborhoods.
– Congressional District 36: Republican incumbent Brian Babin is seeking another term against Democratic challenger Rhonda Hart. The district now includes much of the eastern portion of the South Belt area following redistricting, making the race a new one for many local voters who previously were represented by another member of Congress.
Legislative races
Several races on the ballot will determine who represents South Belt-area communities in Austin when the Texas Legislature next convenes.
Among the most closely watched local contests is the race for Texas Senate District 11, which includes much of the South Belt, Clear Lake and Pasadena areas.
Democrat Shannon Dicely and Republican Dennis Paul are seeking the seat currently held by Mayes Middleton, who chose not to seek re-election and instead entered the race for Texas attorney general.
The Senate District 11 contest is part of a broader domino effect among area elected offices. Paul’s decision to seek the Senate seat created an open race in Texas House District 129, where Democrat Albert Wittliff faces Republican Scott Bowen, a former Clear Creek ISD trustee.
House District 129 includes portions of Southeast Houston, Clear Lake, Pasadena and neighboring communities.
In Texas House District 144, Democratic incumbent Mary Ann Perez is seeking re-election against Republican challenger David Flores. The district includes portions of Pasadena and neighboring communities along the eastern edge of the South Belt area.
The winners of these legislative races will help shape policy decisions on issues such as public education funding, transportation infrastructure, economic development, public safety, property taxes and state budgeting.
Statewide offices
Texas voters will also select candidates for several of the state’s highest offices.
In the governor’s race, incumbent Republican Greg Abbott faces Democratic challenger Gina Hinojosa and Libertarian candidate Pat Dixon.
The lieutenant governor’s race features Republican incumbent Dan Patrick, Democrat Vikki Goodwin, Libertarian Anthony Cristo and Green Party candidate Kevin McCormick.
Voters will also choose a new attorney general. Candidates in that open-seat race are Republican Mayes Middleton, Democrat Nathan Johnson and Libertarian Tom Oxford.
Harris County races
A number of countywide offices that overseecourts, elections, legal matters and county operations are also on the ballot.
The race for Harris County judge is among the highest-profile local contests. Democrat Letitia Plummer and Republican Orlando Sanchez are competing to succeed outgoing County Judge Lina Hidalgo.
Voters will also decide a special election for county attorney following Menefee’s departure to run for Congress. Democrat Abbie Kamin faces Republican Jacqueline Lucci Smith in that contest.
Additional county races include the following contests:
– County clerk: Democrat Teneshia Hudspeth (incumbent) vs. Republican Mike Wolfe
– County treasurer: Democrat Carla L. Wyatt (incumbent) vs. Republican Marc Cowart
– District clerk: Democrat Darrell Jordan Jr. vs. Republican Chris Daniel, who previously held the office
– Justice of the peace, Precinct 2, Place 2: Democrat Dolores Lozano (incumbent) vs. Republican Jack Ezell
Houston charter amendment
Houston voters will also decide Proposition A, a proposed amendment to the city charter.
If approved, the measure would require the Houston Police Department to make enforcement of Class A and Class B misdemeanor marijuana possession offenses its lowest law enforcement priority. The measure would also prohibit Houston police officers from requesting or executing no-knock search warrants.
Voters will choose either “For” or “Against” the proposition.
Before heading to the polls
Because many South Belt residents will be voting in new congressional districts for the first time, election officials encourage voters to review their sample ballot before arriving at the polls.
Early voting is currently underway and continues through Friday, Oct. 30. Election Day is Tuesday, Nov. 3. Election Day polling locations are not necessarily the same as early voting locations. Voters are urged to verify polling locations online before attempting to cast their ballots.
Harris County voters may cast their ballot at any polling location in the county regardless of their individual precinct. Voting hours are 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. on both Election Day and early voting dates. Voters who are in line by 7 p.m. will be permitted to vote.
For polling locations, sample ballots and additional election information, visit www.harrisvotes.com.
St. Luke permanently relocates to Riverstone
Final events planned for Hall Road campus ahead of November relocation
After nearly 50 years at its Hall Road home, St. Luke the Evangelist Catholic Church will begin a historic transition in November as the parish permanently relocates to its new Riverstone Ranch campus in Pearland, ending a decades-long chapter in the South Belt area and launching a new era for one of the community’s largest faith organizations.
The move represents the culmination of a vision that has been years in the making. Church officials have previously said the relocation is necessary to accommodate the parish’s continued growth and because the aging Hall Road facilities no longer adequately meet the congregation’s future needs.
Final Hall Road events
The final days at the Hall Road campus will begin Friday, Nov. 6, with a farewell prayer service in the main sanctuary.
The day will include first Friday adoration from 9:45 a.m. to 7 p.m., a recitation of the rosary for children at 5 p.m., praise and worship at 6 p.m., the farewell prayer service at 6:30 p.m. and benediction at 7 p.m.
Parish offices will be closed to visitors Nov. 6 as staff prepare for the move, although first Friday activities will continue as scheduled.
The following day, Saturday, Nov. 7, St. Luke will hold its annual veterans blessing at 11 a.m. in the Rosary Garden at the Hall Road campus. The event honors parishioners who have served in the U.S. armed forces as well as deceased veterans. This year’s ceremony is expected to carry special significance as the final veterans blessing held at the Hall Road campus. (See related sidebar entry on this page.)
No Masses will be celebrated Nov. 9 or Nov. 10 while parish staff and volunteers complete the physical move to the new location.
Worship begins at Riverstone
The first Mass at the new campus is scheduled for 9 a.m. Wednesday, Nov. 11, inside the Family Life Center.
The first evening Mass at the new location will be held at 7 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 12.
The parish’s first weekend Masses at Riverstone Ranch are scheduled for Nov. 13-14 and will include the following services:
– 5:30 p.m. Saturday English Mass
– 8 a.m. Sunday English Mass
– 10 a.m. Sunday English Mass
– 12:30 p.m. Sunday Spanish Mass
A major milestone in the transition will occur Sunday, Nov. 22, when Archbishop Joe Vasquez is scheduled to celebrate the 12:30 p.m. bilingual Mass and formally bless the Family Life Center and new baptismal font.
Thompson roots
Founded June 17, 1975, St. Luke the Evangelist was established to serve the growing South Belt area after nearby St. Frances Cabrini Catholic Church became overcrowded.
During its earliest years, parishioners gathered for Masses and religious education classes at Thompson Intermediate School while plans for a permanent church home were developed.
Construction of the Hall Road church began in the late 1970s, and parishioners moved into the facility on June 10, 1979. The building was formally dedicated later that year. For the past 47 years, the campus has served as the spiritual home for generations of South Belt families, hosting baptisms, weddings, funerals, faith formation programs, community events and regular worship services.
Decades of planning
The relocation to Riverstone Ranch has been in the works for roughly two decades.
The parish acquired the approximately 20-acre Pearland property years ago with the goal of eventually constructing a larger campus capable of serving future growth. The first building at the site, a 10,000-square-foot structure known as the Cenacle Learning Center, was christened in May 2014.
After more than a decade with little major construction activity, work resumed in 2025 when St. Luke broke ground on a new 25,000-square-foot Family Life Center. The project was made possible by a $10 million loan from the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston along with contributions from parishioners through the church’s Capital Campaign.
Church leaders have said completion of the Family Life Center would allow the parish to relocate entirely from the Hall Road campus.
The building is only the second of five planned structures envisioned for the Riverstone Ranch site. Long-term plans call for additional facilities including an education center, youth center, administration building, social hall and a future permanent church sanctuary.
Located across from South Belt Elementary School and Thompson Intermediate School, the Riverstone Ranch campus occupies approximately 20 acres, compared to the five-acre Hall Road property.
Golden anniversary
The move comes approximately one year after St. Luke celebrated its Golden Jubilee, marking 50 years since the parish’s founding in 1975.
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