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HOUSTON — Joe Panzarella won the City Council District C runoff on Saturday night, defeating Nick Hellyar and securing about 65% of the vote, according to unofficial totals posted by the Harris County Clerk's Office. The runoff followed a special election triggered by Councilmember Abbie Kamin's resignation to run for Harris County Attorney, after seven candidates split the vote and none reached a majority. Approximately 6,600 people voted early in the runoff, according to the same unofficial totals, and election results remain unofficial pending certification; the winner is expected to be sworn in in late May. District C covers neighborhoods including The Heights, Montrose and Oak Forest, and the incoming councilmember will confront local service issues such as water, streets and sidewalks that residents typically bring to City Hall. University of Houston political science lecturer Nancy Sims noted the new councilmember will assume office in the middle of the city's 2027 fiscal year budget process, with departmental hearings already under way and a budget vote expected in June.

Prepared by Lauren Mitchell and reviewed by editorial team.