At-large council members in Houston represent the entire city and work on issues affecting all district residents. In contrast, district positions represent specific geographic areas (or districts) within the city. Councilmembers are elected every four years and are limited to serving two terms of four years each, much like the mayor and city controller.
They develop policies and initiatives on public safety, transportation, and city finances, among others.
At-large council members are responsible for implementing these policies, communicating with constituents, and voting on proposals comprising funding for infrastructure projects and district management decisions. They also monitor the performance of city agencies.
Today, Houston’s at-large position candidates communicate with constituents through newsletters, social media, and town hall meetings.
Here are the five members in at-large positions:
AT-LARGE POSITION 1: JULIAN RAMIREZ Bio: Council Member Julian Ramirez was elected in December 2023 following a 34-year legal career. He currently chairs the Quality of Life Committee and serves as Vice-Chair of the Public Service Delivery Committee. With extensive experience in criminal justice and public safety, Ramirez served as an Assistant District Attorney for Harris County from 1989 to 2016. While at the DA’s Office, he handled cases investigated by the Houston Police Department and tried cases before judges and juries. Ramirez serves as chair of the Quality of Life Committee and Vice-Chair of the Public Service Delivery Committee. Chief of Staff: Leah Wolfthal Other staff members: Gloria Rodriguez – Director of Community Outreach/Constituent ServicesSonia Soto – Director of CommunicationsTom Samuels – Senior Advisor Phone: 832.393.3014 E-Mail: atlarge1@houstontx.gov Constituent Request Form: https://www.houstontx.gov/council/1/request.html |
AT-LARGE POSITION 2: WILLIE DAVIS Bio: Davis was raised in the Third Ward by a single mother and lived with 10 siblings in his home. Also a pastor, he also leads his congregation at the MacGregor Palm Community Baptist Church on the Southside. Phone: 832.393.3013 E-Mail: atlarge2@houstontx.gov Constituent Request Form: https://www.houstontx.gov/council/2/request.html |
AT-LARGE POSITION 3: TWILA CARTER Bio: Houstonian Twila Carter served as Senior Vice President of Community Relations of the Houston Astros and Executive Director of the Astros Foundation for over a decade, raising over $60 million in funds for charities that focus on improving the quality of life in Houston. She has also served as the Vice Chair for the Texas Council on Family Violence and Family Time Crisis and Counseling Center, the Advisory Board for the Houston Area Women’s Center, and is a former Board Member of Aid to Victims of Domestic Abuse (AVDA). Carter is the Board Chair for USO Houston and currently serves on The Houston Police Foundation. Chief of Staff: Nicholas Hellyar; nicholas.hellyar@houstontx.gov Other staff members:Senior Advisor: Hugo Mojica, hugo.mojica@houstontx.gov Administrative Director/Scheduler: Tammy Miscisin, tammy.miscisin@houstontx.gov Community Engagement: Danell Fields, danell.fields@houstontx.gov Community Engagement: Clayton Britton, clayton.britton@houstontx.gov Communications Manager: Nicole Mendoza, nicole.mendoza@houstontx.gov Phone: 832.393.3005 E-Mail: atlarge3@houstontx.gov Constituent Request Form: https://www.houstontx.gov/council/3/request.html |
AT-LARGE POSITION 3: DR. LETITIA PLUMMER Bio: Dr. Plummer, a native Houstonian, is an alumna of Spelman College and Baylor College of Dentistry. She serves as the chair of the Government Operations Committee and has worked toward transforming how the City of Houston works with MWBEs through cooperative contracts and advocates for communities building resilience against extreme weather. Chief of Staff: Munira Bangee; Munira.bangee@houstontx.govDeputy Chief of Staff: Veronica Xiloj; veronica.xiloj@houstontx.govDirector of Constituent Services: Cece Scott; CeCe.Scott@houstontx.gov| Executive Secretary: Katherine Washington Phone: 832.393.3012 E-Mail: atlarge4@houstontx.gov Constituent Request Form: https://www.houstontx.gov/council/4/request.html |
AT-LARGE POSITION 5: SALLIE ALCORN Bio: Sallie Alcorn is currently serving her second four-year term on the Houston City Council. She focuses on policies in city finances, public safety, flood mitigation, street and sidewalk improvements, transportation, and quality of life. Alcorn advocated for outcome-based budgeting, pushed to address the city’s structural deficit including retiree health benefit reforms and funding for deferred maintenance of city facilities. She is currently the chair of the Budget and Fiscal Affairs Committee and has previously chaired the Regulatory and Neighborhood Affairs Committee. Chief of Staff: Jordan McGinty FrazierDeputy Chief of Staff: Katie SheltonPublic Affairs Liaison & Scheduler: Justice Coutee-McCullum Phone: 832.393.3017 E-Mail: atlarge5@houstontx.gov Constituent Request Form: https://www.houstontx.gov/council/5/contact.html |
Photo Credits:
- Julian Ramirez. Credit: Houston City Council website
- Willie Davis. Credit: Houston City Council website
- Twila Carter. Credit: Houston City Council website
- Dr. Letitia Plummer. Credit: Houston City Council website
- Sallie Alcorn. Credit: Houston City Council website
