HOUSTON — A few Houston officials have announced they plan to run for the late Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee’s seat in Congress.
Lee died on July 19, 2024, of complications from pancreatic cancer at 74 years old.
Lee’s passing brings about an opening in the 18th Congressional District, which includes downtown Houston and the surrounding area. The district has been held by Lee for the past 29 years and has been solidly Democratic.
Gov. Greg Abbott on Friday called a special election to serve out the current unexpired term of Sheila Jackson Lee. Abbott set the date for Election Day, Nov. 5. The special election winner will finish Jackson Lee’s term through January and a separate general election winner will serve the next two-year Congressional term, beginning in January.
Candidates who want to have their names placed on the special election ballot need to file their applications with the Secretary of State by Aug. 22 at 6 p.m.
The Democratic Party’s precinct chairs in the district will have until Aug. 26 to select a new nominee to replace Lee on the ballot. The candidate will then face Republican Lana Centonze in the November general election.
Some Houstonians that have already announced their candidacies include former Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner, former Houston City Council member Amanda Edwards and state Rep. Jarvis Johnson.
Turner announced on X, formerly Twitter, that he hopes to fill the shoes of Lee while also mourning the death of his “dear friend.”
The announcement comes a day after Lee’s memorial service in Houston, which brought many U.S. leaders together–including Vice President Kamala Harris–to honor the longtime representative.
“For more than 35 years, I’ve watched [Lee] serve our community with vigor and integrity. She followed in the footsteps of Barbara Jordan, Mickey Leland, and Craig Washington with dignity and helped preserve the legacy of this historic seat,” Turner’s post said.
Turner said that with Lee’s passing, the community “needs stability and continuity in leadership,” and believes he is the person best positioned to “servicing the needs of the entire 18th Congressional District.”
“I look forward to working every day not only to honor and perpetuate the Congresswoman’s legacy, but also to lead a thriving 18th District forward into its next chapter in history,” Turner said.
Another candidate who threw their hat in the ring on Friday was former Houston City Council member Amanda Edwards. She was a council member from 2016 to 2020.
Edwards, who worked for Lee, previously ran for mayor of Houston in 2023 before she dropped out to run against Lee in 2024. Edwards lost to Lee in the Democratic primary back in March.
“This fight is for the long haul, and that is what I intend to do as your next Congresswoman,” Edwards said in a post on X. “My passion for serving this community has not changed and it never will.”
The only other person who has officially declared they are running for the seat is state Rep. Jarvis Johnson.
Johnson announced his intention to “follow in the footsteps” of Lee on July 23. Currently, he represents House District 139 in the Texas House of Representatives.
“In light of her recent passing, we approach this announcement with the utmost care and reverence for her legacy,” Johnson said.
He went on to say, “Just as Joe Biden passed the torch to a willing and able candidate, I stand ready to provide cohesion and strength, while fighting for the 18th District against the Republican regime.”
Other people intending to vie for the seat will have to announce quickly before the approximately 88 precinct chairs vote no later than Aug. 17 in order for the Texas Secretary of State’s office to certify the change before Aug. 26.