Rep. Jackson Lee Enters Houston Mayoral Race
WASHINGTON — Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee, D-Texas, who has represented the Lone Star State’s 18th Congressional District since 1995, is running for mayor of Houston.
Jackson Lee, who is entering a crowded field of candidates vying to replace incumbent Mayor Sylvester Turner, who is term-limited, made her announcement Sunday from the pulpit of the City Cathedral Church.
“I hope I’ve been a humble servant for you for 28 years, [as] many of you are in my district,” she said during brief remarks captured on video and later distributed by Urban Reform, an online publication.
“Sheila Jackson Lee wants to come home to be your mayor for the city of Houston,” the representative continued to a round of applause. “I will not be able to do it without each and every one of you.”
Before she left the stage, the church’s pastor stopped her and asked her to pose for a picture.
At least six other candidates have entered the contest, which will be decided in a nonpartisan election in November.
At the moment her opponents include Houston City Council Member Robert Gallegos, former Houston City Council Member Amanda Edwards, Gilbert Garcia, a former chairman of the city’s Metropolitan Transit Authority, state Sen. John Whitmire, D-Houston, and former Harris County Clerk Chris Hollins.
The race is considered a fairly safe contest for Jackson Lee. She won more than 70% of the vote during her reelection bid in November, and should she lose the mayoral race, she’s free to seek reelection to her congressional seat in 2024.
Dan can be reached at dan@thewellnews.com and @DanMcCue
