HOU Decide: Highlights from the Houston Mayoral Debate

The final debate before early voting in the Houston mayor’s race was held Saturday night. Houston Public Media, KHOU 11 News and Free Press Houston co-presented the debate called “Hou Decide,” which was geared, in part, towards younger voters, as evidenced by Tweet-like opening statements, and some questions coming from Millennials at a watch party in Montrose.

The seven major candidates were also encouraged to use tablets and smart phones, as they responded to questions on a wide array of issues, from the Houston Equal Rights Ordinance, to housing and gentrification, police oversight, road repairs, city debt, human trafficking and cycling — among other topics.

Here are some highlights from the debate, as well as analysis from, among others, the debate’s editorial panelists: KHOU’s Doug Miller, Free Press Houston’s Omar Afra, and News 88.7’s Laurie Johnson.