Former Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner has been chosen by a majority of Democratic Party precinct chairs in Texas’ 18th Congressional District to replace the late Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee on the November ballot.
As previously reported by The Dallas Express, Rep. Jackson Lee (D-TX) died at the age of 74 following a bout with cancer. She represented her Houston area constituents for nearly three decades.
“A fierce champion of the people, she was affectionately and simply known as ‘Congresswoman’ by her constituents in recognition of her near-ubiquitous presence and service to their daily lives for more than 30 years,” her family said in a statement on July 19.
Some 41 of 80 Democratic precinct chairs in the district voted to select Turner as their nominee for the seat. Turner beat out former Houston City Council member Amanda Edwards in a runoff vote, reported The Texan.
“I know it was a tough race, I know this was a tough decision … We’ve got some work to do between now and November. Let’s make sure we turn Texas blue!” Turner said during his acceptance speech, per The Texan.
Jackson Lee defeated Edwards earlier this year in the Democratic Party, earning 60% of the vote against Edwards’ 37.3%.
In her last general election, Jackson Lee handily won the Democratic-heavy congressional district with 70.7% of the vote.