Mayor announces special election to replace council member Larry Green

HOUSTON (FOX 26) - Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner and members of Houston City Council are continuing to remember fallen council member Larry Green, while planning the next steps in filling the empty seat left after his death on Tuesday.

At the council meeting on Wednesday, Mayor Turner announced plans for a special election in May to fill the now-empty council seat in District K.

"I will call for a special meeting of City Council on March the 20th to set the election for May the 5th," said Mayor Turner. He made the May 5 special election announcement at the end of an emotional council meeting. A memorial of flowers was placed at Green's seat in Houston City Hall. Tears were shed and hugs were shared among city council members.

"This is gonna be one of those days, but we're gonna remember our colleague, and we're gonna function as he would want us to function today," said Mayor Turner.

The mayor and city council members dressed in green at their meeting on Wednesday in memory of Larry Green.

Houston City Council member Dwight Boykins called Green someone who "can't be replaced."

"Larry had our back," added Boykins who later wiped away tears. "He had our back, man."

"Thankful for Larry," said Houston City Council member Jack Christie in an emotional speech. "It's a big deal. He's a good man."

"God has chosen to take him home early, but we're going to live in his spirit and do what's best for the people," said Boykins.

Mayor Turner said Green's staff will stay put, continuing the work of District K, as they await Green's replacement.

The mayor also said he and city council members are there for Green's family as relatives take the first steps in planning his funeral.

"Just view us as Council member Green's extended family and we are prepared to do whatever they would like us to do and we are going to be very supportive of them," said Mayor Turner.

As of Wednesday, Green's cause of death was still under investigation by the Harris County Institute of Forensic Sciences.