Philadelphia is expected to elect its first female mayor with Cheryl Parker

In Houston and Philadelphia, two of the largest cities in the country, voters cast their votes on Tuesday to choose the next mayors.

In the Philadelphia mayoral race, ABC News projects Democrat Cheryl Parker will win and become the city’s first female leader and 100th mayor.

Parker is a former Philadelphia City Council member, former state legislator, and former teacher.

During her campaign, Parker spoke about public safety, education and economic issues, and received endorsements from President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris.

In remarks to her supporters Tuesday night, Parker said there was important work ahead of her, which she campaigned on.

“My message to Philadelphians from all walks of life is that if they give me the opportunity, I will use everything in me — my life experience, my professional experience, my academic preparation — that I will do it.” “Make great use of all of that to work with all of you to make Philadelphia the safest, cleanest, greenest big city in the country, with economic opportunity for everyone,” she said.

Parker’s Republican opponent, David Oh, an attorney and at-large city councilman, was aiming to become the city’s first Asian American mayor. He ran on reducing the crime rate in Philadelphia, including hiring more police officers and addressing drug abuse.

Across the country, 18 candidates ran for Houston’s nonpartisan mayoral race.

Sheila Jackson Lee and John Whitmire will advance to a runoff on December 9, ABC News projects.

Jackson Lee, who currently represents the 18th U.S. District in Texas, was one of the leading candidates in the race.

Her House seat includes some of Houston. Currently in her 15th term, she is the Democratic Vice Chair and a member of the Budget, Judiciary, and Homeland Security committees.

Jackson Lee has been endorsed by a few big-name political figures, including Hillary Clinton and Nancy Pelosi.

Her most prominent opponent in the mayoral race was Whitmer, Texas’ longest-serving incumbent senator.

Whitmer took office in 1983 and is Dean of the Texas Senate. Whitmer, known as a more conservative Democrat, has been praised for his partisan efforts in his decades-long career in public office.

Jackson Lee faced some controversy over a leaked audio recording where she reprimanded a staff member. ABC News has not independently verified the audio recording.

She apologized for what she said, but… As claimed in the last discussion That the recording had been leaked by “one of Whitmer’s agents.” Whitmer denied the allegation.