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U.S. Representative Sheila Jackson Lee, who recently failed in her bid to succeed Sylvester Turner as Houston's mayor, has announced her intention to run for reelection in Texas's 18th Congressional District. The 73-year-old Congresswoman is seeking to maintain the seat she has held for nearly three decades.
Jackson Lee expressed her commitment to continue serving her constituents in a series of statements. "I thought about the many more gifts I have to give to my constituents of the 18th Congressional District," she said in a December 11 tweet. She added, "Those gifts involve more hard work and my ability to get the job done!". In a final remark, Jackson Lee encouraged unity and progress: "Together, let's build on the progress we've achieved and work towards an even brighter future for all," she said.
The Congresswoman's announcement comes shortly after her defeat by Texas State Sen. John Whitmire for Houston’s top office on Dec. 9, as reported by Houston Daily. Both Whitmire and Jackson Lee are influential figures within Texas Democratic circles who secured the most votes in the Nov. 7 contest from a pool of 17 candidates, each with substantial experience in public office.
Houston Daily also reported that Whitmire garnered at least 60% of the vote in the runoff, thereby securing his victory over Jackson Lee. Slated to assume office next month at age 74, Whitmire will be the oldest big city mayor in the country according to Houston CBS station KHOU News. This marks a significant change for Houston, where the median age is around 35 and a quarter of its total population is under 18 years old.
According to KUHF News, an affiliate of National Public Radio (NPR) based in Houston, Jackson Lee may face considerable challenges securing another term in Washington. Her opponent is Amanda Edwards, an attorney who also made an unsuccessful bid for Houston's mayoral office. KUHF News further reported that Edwards has amassed more than $1 million in her campaign fund.