Former Houston Mayor Running For Seat Vacated By Sheila Jackson Lee’s Death

By Rosaland Tyler
Associate Editor
New Journal and Guide

Harris County Democrats recently chose former Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner as the Democratic candidate for the seat vacated by the late U.S. Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee.

The decision was made at a public meeting at Wheeler Avenue Baptist Church in the city’s Third Ward. A committee of 88 party officials in the 18th district voted. Turner won by a slim margin, securing 41 votes. Former Houston City Council member Amanda Edwards came in second with 37. The district is heavily Democratic, and Turner is favored to win the general election in November. Jackson-Lee, age 74, died in July from pancreatic cancer.

According to The Texas Tribune, “The Harris Democratic Party selected the candidate because Jackson Lee died too close to the general election to hold another primary. Jackson Lee died last month amid a battle with pancreatic cancer. She had won the Democratic primary for the seat in March against Edwards.”

Turner’s political resume is impressive. He served as mayor of Houston from 2016 till January, after serving as a member of the Texas House from 1989 to 2016.  He also served on the House Appropriations Committee in the Texas Legislature.

What may have helped Turner earn the nomination was the endorsement of Jackson Lee’s children in his bid to succeed her.

The late congresswoman’s children, Jason Lee and Erica Lee Carter, said in a recent statement that they are endorsing Turner to succeed their mother.

“While no one will ever replace Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee, there must be a successor. Our greatest hope is that her immediate successor has the capacity and commitment to sustain the service upon which the constituents of the 18th District have come to rely. For that reason we are proud to endorse Sylvester Turner for the 18th Congressional District,” her children said in the recent  statement.

“We have no doubt Mayor Turner will carry on our mother’s legacy of service because we’ve witnessed it almost our entire lives. Our mother had no greater partner than Mayor Turner and he honors her with his willingness to dutifully and humbly serve as a sturdy bridge to the next generation of leadership for the historic 18th Congressional District of Texas,” they continued.

Texas Governor Greg Abbott Aug. 2 set a special election for Jackson Lee’s seat to be held on Nov. 5. Early voting for the position will begin Oct. 21.

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Turner, 69, said in a recent statement, “Only Sheila’s passing at this critical moment in the election cycle could bring me out of retirement. Given all the uncertainty at the national level, I believe the 18th District needs stability and continuity in leadership.”

Turner told KHOU TV that if he’s elected, he has no intention of staying in Washington for very long.

“If you are to become the next congressman of the 18th District, how long would do you think you would serve?” WHOU asked him.

“Maximum, I would say, two (terms),” Turner said.  “Maximum.”