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HOUSTON (AP) 鈥� Houston elected Democratic state Sen. as its next mayor on Saturday night, elevating a Texas lawmaker who has represented the city for 50 years by giving him a victory over

Whitmire, 74, who is one of Texas鈥� most powerful Democratic legislators, will now be at the helm of America鈥檚 fourth-largest city. His campaign focused on reducing crime, improving streets and bringing people together. He heavily outspent Jackson Lee, who was running to become Houston鈥檚 first Black female mayor.

The congresswoman鈥檚 campaign also had to deal with fallout from the release in October of an that purported to capture her profanely berating staff.

Whitmire built an insurmountable lead among early voters, winning among those voters by 30 percentage points.

Standing before a ballroom full of cheering supporters in the city's convention center, Whitmire said he was fired up and ready to go to work as mayor.

鈥淚 don鈥檛 mind telling folks what a great city we have. But we鈥檝e got great challenges. If we will come together and realize it won鈥檛 be easy. In fact, we will face challenges. But I see that as an opportunity. And I need you to join hands with me. We鈥檒l meet our challenges. It鈥檒l be an opportunity to show the nation what the city of Houston can do,鈥� Whitmire said.

At her election night party, Jackson Lee thanked her supporters, congratulated Whitmire and said she was committed to working with him. Jackson Lee said she planned to announce in the near future a decision on whether she would run for re-election next year for her congressional seat.

鈥淚t鈥檚 sweeter to be saying what a sweet victory it is. It's equally as sweet to acknowledge we put up a good fight,鈥� Jackson Lee said.

Whitmire and Jackson Lee had made it to Saturday鈥檚 runoff after emerging from a crowded field of nearly 20 candidates .

Both candidates 鈥� two of Houston鈥檚 biggest political fixtures 鈥� touted their decades-long political experience as strong qualifications to lead a growing city crime, crumbling infrastructure and potential budget shortfalls.

Whitmire started in the Texas Legislature in 1973, first as a state representative and the majority of his time as a state senator. Jackson Lee has represented Houston in Congress since 1995 and before that had served on Houston鈥檚 City Council.

Booming growth over the last decade has caused municipal headaches but has also turned the Houston area into an expanding stronghold for Texas Democrats. Although the mayoral race is nonpartisan, Whitmire and Jackson Lee are both Democrats.

Whitmire will be the oldest big city mayor in the U.S. He is set to lead a city which is becoming younger, with a median age of around 35 and with 25% of its population below 18, according to census figures.

The choice between Whitmire and Jackson Lee, who is 73, frustrated some Democratic voters, particularly younger ones, at a time when the party is searching for new political stars in Texas who might end 30 years of GOP dominance statewide.

The new mayor will have to deal with new laws from the GOP-led state government over and the ability .

Whitmire will replace Mayor Sylvester Turner, who has served eight years and can鈥檛 run again because of term limits.

Whitmire will also lead what is considered one of the country鈥檚 most diverse cities. Of the city鈥檚 2.3 million residents, 45% are Latino, with 23% Black and 24% white. One in every four Houston residents was born outside the U.S.

Known as the energy capital of the world, Houston鈥檚 economy has long been tied mainly to the oil industry. But the city is working to become a leader in the . Like other large U.S. cities, Houston is also dealing with a lack of affordable housing and concerns among residents over growing gaps between the rich and poor.

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Juan A. Lozano, The Associated Press