The Houston mayoral election of 1997 took place on November 4, 1997 to elect the successor to term-limited Mayor Bob Lanier. With no candidate receiving a majority of the votes, a run-off was held on December 6, 1997. The ultimate result was Lee Brown winning the election. The election was officially non-partisan.

1997 Houston mayoral election

← 1995 November 4, 1997 (first round) December 6, 1997 (runoff) 1999 →

Candidate Lee Brown Robert Mosbacher George Greanias First round 126,5478 41% 90,004 29% 52,937 17% Runoff 156,169 53% 140,321 47% Eliminated   Candidate Gracie Saenz First round 21,752 7% Runoff Eliminated

Mayor before election Lee Brown Elected Mayor Lee Brown

Lee Brown won the run-off election, making him the first African-American mayor of Houston.^[1]