Texas Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee Enters Houston Mayoral Race

U.S. Rep. Sheila Jackson-Lee (D-Texas) speaks to members of the press after the oral argument of the Merrill v. Milligan case at the U.S. Supreme Court in Washington on Oct. 4, 2022. Alex Wong/Getty Images

U.S. Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee of Texas hopes to become Houston’s next mayor.

“I hope I’ve been a humble servant for you for 28 years—many of you are in my district,” Jackson Lee said on Sunday. “Sheila Jackson Lee wants to come home to be your mayor—for the city of Houston. I will not be able to do it without every one of you.”

Jackson Lee announced her plans to join the already crowded mayoral race during a service at the City Cathedral Church in Houston. Urban Reform posted a video of Jackson Lee’s announcement on Twitter.

The 73-year-old Congresswoman, who has served as a member of the House since 1995, is one of six candidates vying to replace Mayor Sylvester Turner. Turner’s seat is up for grabs in the November election because he has reached his term limit.

Jackson Lee’s announcement was confirmation of months of speculation that she was considering joining the mayoral race, according to the Texas Tribune.

The Congresswoman, who represents Texas’s 18th Congressional District, will not be required to vacate her seat while running for mayor.

Jackson Lee was re-elected to a 15th term in November with more than 70 percent of the vote. Her current term ends in January 2025.

In 2019, she was sued by a former staffer who claimed Jackson Lee fired her after she planned to take legal action over an alleged rape by a former Congressional Black Caucus Foundation employee in 2015, Roll Call previously reported.

Jackson Lee stepped down from her position as chair of the Crime Subcommittee after reports of the lawsuit, and her office released a statement that denied any wrongdoing.

It’s not immediately clear whether the lawsuit has been settled.

Early Frontrunner

Democrat state Sen. John Whitmire is reportedly the race’s early frontrunner.

“I will be tough but smart on crime, keep our economy growing and ensure city services are working for all Houstonians,” says Whitmire, who serves as chair of the Texas Senate Criminal Justice Committee.

Whitmire was re-elected in 2022 with more than 65 percent of the vote against Republican George Brian Vachris.

Other candidates aiming to win the open seat include Robert Gallegos, a Houston City Council member; Chris Hollins, a former Harris County Clerk; Gilbert Garcia, former chairman of the city’s Metropolitan Transit Authority; and Amanda Edwards, a former City Council member, according to the Texas Tribune.

The office of the mayor is a non-partisan position.

Prior to her election to Congress, Jackson Lee served two terms as an At-Large City Council Member for the City of Houston from 1990-1994.  Before serving on the city council, she was an Associate Municipal Court Judge for the City of Houston from 1987-1990.

If Jackson Lee fails to win the mayoral seat, she will be eligible to run for another term in Congress in November 2024.