Former At-Large City Council Member Amanda K. Edwards has announced her candidacy for Mayor of the City of Houston. This is an open seat race to succeed Mayor Sylvester Turner, who is term-limited and cannot run again. The Edwards campaign is poised to make history; it is no coincidence that the campaign announcement is occurring during Women’s History Month. If elected, Amanda would become Houston’s first African American female mayor.

“Our City is at a pivotal crossroads. We cannot go backwards; we must move forward. I am running for Mayor to ensure that our City and all Houstonians may grow and thrive. My background as municipal finance attorney, my experience as an At-Large Houston City Council Member and my ability to execute a bold, innovative vision uniquely position me to address the City’s complicated challenges while ensuring that all Houstonians move forward and obtain the outcomes we deserve. Our campaign will elevate the voices of our communities so that we can tailor solutions that reflect what is needed in our communities. Now is the time for transformational leadership and a renaissance for our City.“

During her City Council tenure, Amanda served as the Vice Chair of the Budget & Fiscal Affairs Committee in connection with the City's $5.1 billion budget. Amanda initiated and led the City's Tech & Innovation efforts that have now resulted in the creation of Houston’s innovation district. She initiated and led efforts to reduce disparities among women and minority businesses owners as they seek access to capital and scale their businesses. Amanda also served on the Houston Galveston Area Council Transportation Policy Council where she was able to initiate and lead the High Capacity Transit group. Amanda has proudly served as a member of the Economic Development Committee, as well as the Transportation, Technology and Infrastructure Committee. As further evidence of her leadership and advocacy, Ms. Edwards mobilized hundreds of volunteers to canvass neighborhoods in order to assist with the Hurricane Harvey response and recovery.

An attorney, non-profit leader and native Houstonian, Amanda possesses a strong commitment to community service, growth, change and innovation for our City. In addition to her time on City Council, Amanda has served on the National League of Cities Board of Directors, the Advisory Council for Accelerator for America, Houston Exponential Board of Directors, as President of the Board of Directors for Project Row Houses in the Historic Third Ward community, and on numerous other civic boards and committees, including Texas Lyceum and the Houston Area Urban League Young Professionals.

"Houstonians deserve better and safer neighborhoods, better roads, better drainage, better housing, better schools, a stronger economy and the right to raise our families in strong communities with access to green spaces and transportation. Our campaign will focus on public safety, improving Houston's aging infrastructure and transportation system, strengthening our economy and the city's fiscal health, thus improving quality of life for all Houstonians.”

Ms. Edwards currently practices law and leads a non-profit focused on empowering various groups of senior citizens and women. Previously, Amanda practiced law for years at Bracewell LLP and Vinson & Elkins LLP in Houston, where she resolved complex issues relating to tax-exempt bond financings, public-private partnerships, community development projects, and non-profit organizations.

Amanda is a graduate of Eisenhower High School in Aldine ISD and Emory University in Atlanta, where she earned a degree in political science, served as student body president for the college and was inducted into the Emory University Hall of Fame. Ms. Edwards also earned a J.D. from Harvard Law School.

Maintaining active community and faith-based connections, Amanda is a member of St. Monica Catholic Church in Acres Homes.

For more information, please visit www.edwardsforhouston.com