Lina Hidalgo’s Facebook
Houston Mayor John Whitmire caught people’s attention Monday night when he commented on a bridal shower Facebook post for Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo’s fiancé.
Hidalgo posted several photos from the event, including one with her fiancé, David James. Under the post, Whitmire commented on her official Facebook page, “Awesome. He’s such a nerd,” a comment that has since been deleted.
A screenshot of the comment quickly went viral on Twitter, with people wondering if it was real or photoshopped.
By Tuesday morning, both Hidalgo and Whitmire had commented on the comments.
Hidalgo told Houston Public Media she was troubled by Whitmire’s posts.
“For me, it’s a very happy time, so I don’t know why someone would do something so cruel, but of course, I’ve been in politics a long time,” Hidalgo said.
She added that the shower was tea party themed and “was amazing.”
A spokesperson for Mayor Whitmire’s office said, “Mayor John Whitmire acted in a light-hearted manner and had no ill will. The Mayor congratulates the happy couple and wishes them well.”
Facebook Screenshots
Whitmire and Hidalgo have had some tense public interactions since he was first elected, including a tense moment between them at a press conference after a destructive storm in Harris County in May. Hidalgo previously endorsed U.S. Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee, who ran against Whitmire for mayor.
Hidalgo announced her engagement in January to her fiancé, David James, an attorney with Austin-based law firm Edwards LLP.
