HOUSTON (November 3, 2009)--City controller Annise Parker claimed one of two runoff spots Tuesday in the race to become mayor of America's fourth-biggest city.

Parker had almost 31 percent of the vote with 75 percent of the precincts counted in Houston.

Former city attorney Gene Locke, with 25 percent, was leading architect and urban planner Peter Brown, with 23 percent, in trying to qualify for the second spot in a likely runoff next month.

The two were separated by about 2,800 votes.

A fourth major candidate, county school trustee Roy Morales, had nearly 20 percent.

Brown was by far the biggest spender in the race while Morales had the least amount of campaign money.

A runoff is needed if no one receives 50 percent of the vote Tuesday.