Texas Governor Greg Abbott (Republican) Announced on Friday A special election to fill the seat vacated by the late Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee will be held on Nov. 5, the same day as the general election.
In his announcement, Governor Abbott said candidates who want to appear on the special election ballot must submit applications to Texas Secretary of State Jane Nelson’s office by August 22.
Rep. Jackson Lee, who represented Texas’ 18th Congressional District, which includes much of metropolitan Houston, for nearly three decades, passed away earlier this month at age 74.
Her family: Social Platform XThe news comes about a month after Jackson Lee announced that he had been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer and was undergoing treatment.
Jackson Lee was first elected to the House of Representatives in 1994. He served on the House Judiciary, Homeland Security and Budget Committees. The Texas Democrat also introduced legislation to make Juneteenth a federal holiday, which was signed by President Biden in 2021.
Biden flew to Texas this week to visit Jackson Lee’s state resting place at Houston City Hall. Shortly after her death, he called her “a great American who was always fearless.” Vice President Harris spoke at her funeral on Thursday.
A bipartisan group of lawmakers also paid tribute to the late congresswoman following her death, describing her as an advocate for change and a “fighter” for justice.
Former Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner (D), State Assemblyman Jarvis Johnson (D) and Houston City Council Member Leticia Plummer (D) have emerged as candidates in the special election. The Texas Tribune reported. last month.
