HOUSTON – The race to become the next Democratic candidate for the 18th U.S. Congressional District of Texas is heating up. According to multiple sources and candidates, KPRC 2 Investigates has spoken with, the picture is beginning to take shape since the weekend.
According to officials, there is no filing deadline to replace the late U.S. Representative Sheila Jackson Lee on November’s ballot.
In an email message sent to KPRC 2 Investigates by the Harris County Democratic Party, “there is nothing to filed in order to be considered by the Congressional District 18 Executive Committee to become the Democratic Party’s nominee for the office on the November ballot. That Executive Committee will make the decision as to who will replace Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee on the November 5 ballot and it will do so at a meeting in August, the precise date for which has not yet been determined. To be considered, a candidate will need to be nominated by a CD 18 precinct chair at that meeting, but no application needs to be filed.”
Former Rep. Jackson Lee, who represented Houstonians in the 18th District in Washington D.C. for nearly thirty years, passed away on Friday following a brief battle with pancreatic cancer.
“Those are big shoes to fill. I don’t think anyone can fill the shoes of the great Sheila Jackson Lee,” said State Representative Jarvis Johnson. Johnson confirmed his candidacy during a phone call on Monday afternoon with KPRC 2 Investigates Mario Diaz, adding, “Everybody else is going to play footsie; that is the difference with me.”
Johnson emphasized that the 18th District has had a “fighter” representing them in Washington D.C. for nearly thirty years, and he plans to continue that legacy.
As for why he’s running, Johnson said, “These are consequential times. This is one of the most important races in the country. Districts like the 18th have to excite the new generation of voters. I hope to invigorate the youth movement. I want to engage this district because I want to get more people to the polls to help the presidential race.”
Who else is in the mix? Democratic sources have confirmed that several well-known names are considering their options.
Former Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner is reportedly looking to make a run, with one source stating, “It’s a done deal.”
When KPRC 2 Investigates’ Mario Diaz spoke with Turner on Monday, the former Mayor did not deny the possibility, telling him, “I’m not discussing it right now.”
Former Houston City Council Member Dwight Boykins also is a potential candidate but said, “I’m not making any decisions until after her service, out of respect to her family.”
Texas State Representative Jolanda Jones responded to KPRC 2 on Tuesday saying, “I am not making a statement at this time about who will replace Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee in Congress. Today, I remain focused on honoring the Congresswoman, my friend and a Houston legend.”
In a text sent to KPRC 2 Tuesday night, Former City Council Member Amanda Edwards said the following about her desire to run for the now vacant seat: “While my interest in serving this community remains unchanged, I want to honor and respect the sensitive timing of Congresswoman Jackson Lee’s passing, and I would prefer to discuss this at a later time.”
Edwards, who lost to Rep. Jackson Lee in the primary earlier this year, still managed to garner 37% of the vote, raising eyebrows as a future contender for Ms. Jackson Lee’s seat.
One surprising name being viewed as a potential candidate is NAACP President Bishop James Dixon. Multiple sources confirmed there is consideration being taken for his candidacy. In an interview, Dixon said:
“That seat and that district needs someone of that same kind of passion who has the passion to serve, the heart to serve, and the courage to lead, and in times like these, you need someone who understood the mission of Sheila...Some politicians (which I’m not) only pursue the opportunity for what it would do for them, if I made the decision it’s because I believe that God called me to it.”
The Harris County Democrat Party is taking a slower approach. “Out of respect for the family and to the memory of Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee, the necessary arrangements will be announced at a later date,” said Mike Doyle, Harris County Democratic Party Chair. “It will be public, it will be transparent, and thorough.”
Precinct chairs have until 5 P.M. on August 21, 2024, to select a candidate to replace Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee on November’s ballot, according to a party official.