Houston election results certified

Houston City Council met Monday night to certify election results from Oct. 5 and elect a new mayor and deputy mayor from among the city council’s ranks.

Newly seated members of the Houston City Council are Paul Stout, Kathy Barney and James Johansen.

The new council then elected member Virgie Thompson to serve as mayor and James Johansen as deputy mayor.

City attorney Richard Payne said his review of the contested election found no wrongdoing. He said all of the complaints filed contesting the election pertained to candidates and citizens concerns about the conduct of former city clerk Steve Cunningham who resigned on election day.

A separate investigation by Houston City Police will review Cunningham’s role in a recall election earlier this year of then-mayor

Roger Purcell. This review of Cunningham’s actions is ongoing.