Houston City College Elects Renee Jefferson Patterson to District II Trustee Role

Renee Jefferson Patterson won the runoff election for Houston City College’s District II trustee seat, securing 55.6% of the vote, according to unofficial results reported by the Houston Chronicle. Her opponent, Kathleen “Kathy” Lynch Gunter, received 43.4%.

The runoff followed the Nov. 4 general election, where Patterson led with 49% but fell short of a majority due to a third candidate, Desmond Spencer, who earned nearly 18% of the vote. As of 11 p.m. Saturday, Patterson held a lead of about 500 votes, with roughly 3,800 ballots cast and about two-thirds of Harris County voting centers reporting.

Patterson was appointed to the District II seat in February after former trustee Charlene Ward Johnson won election to the Texas Legislature. 

According to the Houston Chronicle, Patterson is an HCC alum, a former Houston City Council candidate, and an interior designer who has advocated for HCC’s VAST Academy, which serves people with intellectual and physical disabilities.

Representing parts of northeast and east Houston, including Acres Homes and North Forest, Patterson said she hopes to expand the North Forest campus and bring more resources to her community.

“It’s been a very emotional journey for me … but I’m excited. I’m grateful,” Patterson said. “I’m just excited about being able to give students in the community the opportunity that was given to me.”

The District II trustee oversees one of Houston City College’s largest and most diverse districts. The board governs one of the nation’s largest community college systems, serving about 95,000 students in the 2024–25 academic year, according to the Houston Chronicle. 

Patterson said she aims to help promote the college’s recent rebrand and provide continuity on the board.

“It’s just really exciting to know that I am a part of creating change within Houston City College,” Patterson said. “I think I am kind of a missing piece to the puzzle in terms of bringing stability to the seat.”