HOUSTON – After careful consideration, Erica Lee Carter, the daughter of the late Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee, has decided to run to finish her mother’s term in the November Special Election.
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Sheila Jackson Lee died in July after a battle with pancreatic cancer. She represented Texas’ 18th Congressional District for decades.
A Special Election on November 5th will determine who finishes out Sheila Jackson Lee’s term.
Carter released a statement on her decision:
“Nearly two weeks after we laid my dear mother, the late Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee to rest, I am humbled to thank the entire Houston community for the overwhelming outpouring of love, support and appreciation for our entire family. My brother, Jason and her beloved husband Elwyn of 51 years, have all found comfort in your prayers, kind remembrances and shared grief. As I witnessed my mother’s tremendous commitment to public service and legislative acumen firsthand, the countless stories and moments that I have heard since her passing have made her “larger than life” presence even more so.
The people of the 18th Congressional District, re-elected my mother to the 118th Congress to protect their interest and uphold our democratic values. Congresswoman Jackson Lee kept their interests in her heart and mind until the very end. Since then, so many community leaders and democratic stalwarts have requested that I consider completing her term this year by running in the November 5th Special Election. After careful consideration, the answer is YES.
My Mom was the ultimate finisher. She would stay until the latest hour at her D.C. Congressional office, she supported community events late into the evening, made calls doing the “people’s business” until the wee hours of the morning, closed every important meeting with an ask, solution or next step and never took “No” as a final answer. I cared for her until the end and if the people of the 18th Congressional District entrust me with their vote, then It is my desire to finish the 118th Session in the way that she would have, by supporting justice, equality, healthcare, human rights and economic opportunity for all.
I call on all Harris County Democrats to unite to ensure that the people of the 18th Congressional District regain their vote on critical national issues. Together, we will finish for my Mom, The Honorable Sheila Jackson Lee”