Ex-Houston mayor considers running for Rep. Jackson Lee’s seat

Former Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner (D) is considering making a bid for the seat previously held by Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee (D-Texas), who died on Friday.

Grant Martin, a spokesperson for Turner, told The Hill that the former mayor was “definitely” considering running for Jackson Lee’s seat. He said Turner would make his decision “quickly,” but did not offer a timeline.

The news was first reported by KHOU 11.

Jackson Lee’s family announced the congresswoman’s death on Friday evening, just over one month after she revealed she had been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer and was undergoing treatment.

Jackson Lee, 74, represented the 18th Congressional District of Texas for nearly 30 years. She won her Democratic Primary for her seat in March after a competitive race.

Under Texas law, the Harris County Democratic Party’s executive committee needs to nominate a new candidate for November’s ballot by Aug. 26, according to The Houston Chronicle. If they do not nominate a candidate, then the Texas Democratic Party will select a candidate in the following two days, according to the outlet.

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott (R) can also call a special election to fill Jackson Lee’s seat until her term ends in January. The Hill has reached out to Abbott’s office to ask if he will be calling a special election.

Turner, 69, served as the mayor of Houston from 2016 to 2024. He had endorsed Jackson Lee to be his successor for the office, but she lost the race last year to Texas state Sen. John Whitmire (D).

Turner said in a statement after Jackson Lee’s death that she “was everywhere, relentless, delivered, did not take no for an answer, and made big things happen.”

“With every fiber in my being, I miss my friend. But our champion has been called home by God, and we are called to carry on her work and legacy,” he wrote on social media platform X.