PEARLAND, Texas — Voters in Pearland, Texas elected Quentin Wiltz as mayor on May 2, 2026, making him the city’s first Black mayor, according to unofficial election results, after he defeated Tony Carbone with 51.1% of more than 11,700 votes cast.
Wiltz won by 263 votes in an election with about 13% turnout among registered voters. The Brazoria County Democratic Party said Wiltz is the first Black candidate elected mayor in the city.
The mayoral race is officially nonpartisan, but both candidates received party support. The Democratic Party endorsed Wiltz, while the Brazoria County Republican Party listed Carbone as its preferred candidate. Several Republican officials also endorsed Carbone.
Carbone conceded the race on Saturday night and congratulated Wiltz, stating that he appreciated the support he received during the campaign.
Wiltz said in a social media post that voters chose “progress, unity, accountability and leadership that listens,” and said he would serve the city with responsibility.
The election drew national attention after Donald Trump carried Brazoria County, Texas with 59% of the vote in the 2024 presidential election, compared to 39% for Kamala Harris. The national Democratic Party said Wiltz’s victory shifted a Republican-leaning suburb.
Wiltz previously ran for mayor in 2020 but lost to Kevin Cole, who succeeded longtime mayor Tom Reid.
Pearland has a population of about 130,000 and is located approximately 20 miles south of Houston, Texas. U.S. Census Bureau data shows the city’s population is about 42% white, 25.4% Hispanic, 19.3% Black, and 15.5% Asian.
