 The race for Houston mayor headed to a runoff Tuesday night between U.S. Representative Sheila Jackson Lee and State Senator John Whitmire, two Democrats who breezed past a wide field of candidates in a race dominated by issues of crime, crumbling infrastructure, and potential budget shortfalls.If elected, Jackson Lee would be Houston's first black female mayor, a meaningful change for America's fourth largest city. Since 1995, she has represented Houston in Congress. Whitmire has lapped his rivals in fundraising after five decades in the Texas legislature, where he has helped drive tough-on-crime policies while also casting himself as a reformer. The runoff will be December 9.Jackson Lee told supporters Tuesday night that she was focused on providing for the needs of families and children as well as prioritizing public safety, creating more jobs for residents. Whitmire said he's focused on bringing attention to concerns residents have over infrastructure and public safety.