While most of the focus is on who is running for president in 2024 or even who is running for mayor this year, Houston has five at-large City Council members elected citywide, and 11 district City Council members who vote on the mayor's $6.2 billion budget, every expenditure over $50,000, city laws called ordinances, and the care for local citizens' needs.

Houston City Council Member at Large, Pos. 1, Mike Knox, is term-limited from running for another large four-year term. He has announced his plans to run for Harris County Sheriff next year. He describes at-large council members as "mini mayors" because their constituents include all 2.4 million people throughout the city's 640 square miles.

The deadline to file for a place on the Tuesday, November 7 ballot is 5 p.m. on Monday, August 21, at the mayor's office. So far, the candidates to succeed Knox are the nearly three decades-long award-winning prosecutor Julian Ramirez, whom Knox supports; outgoing Houston ISD Trustee Kendall Baker; lawyer Melanie Miles; broadcaster Cassey Currey; and community activists Leah Wolfthal and Conchita Reyes.

In Houston at large, represented by Pos. 2 City Council Member David Robinson, term limits apply. So far, the candidates to succeed him are entrepreneur and lifetime Houstonian Marina Coryat; former Houston ISD Trustee Holy Flynn Vilaseca; Army Vet and Pastor Willie Davis; Council Aide Nick Hellyar; realtor Danielle Keys Best, who was defeated for State Rep by Jolanda Jones last year; and businessman Obiola "Obes" Nwabara.

Houston at Large Pos. 3 City Council Member Michael Kubosh is term-limited from running for another four-year term and has announced his candidacy for Houston City Controller, as the current Controller Chris Brown is term-limited.

The candidates running to succeed Kubosh are Ericka McCrutcheon, a real estate, insurance, and construction entrepreneur; Houston Community College leader and city civic volunteer Donnell Cooper; retired Astros Foundation Executive Director Twila Carter; Harris County Department of Education Trustee Richard Cantu; GLBT activist Ethan Ganz; and former District F Houston City Council Member Richard Nguyen.

Houston at Large Pos. 4 City Council Member Dr. Leticia Plummer earned degrees from Spellman College and Baylor University before building dental offices and raising sons. The Greater Houston Builders Association and the Houston Police Officers Association are backing Plummer. Her opponents so far are retired Air Force Lt. Col. Roy Morales and Aldine ISD educator John Branch.

In Houston at large, represented by Pos. 5 City Council Member Sally Alcorn, African American vegan restaurant owner Chad Cossey is currently challenging her.

Early voting will run from Monday, October 24, through Friday, November 3, for the Tuesday, November 7 general election. The deadline to register to vote is Tuesday, October 10.