Houston Politicos Vie for Late Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee's Congressional Seat as Democratic Precinct Chairs Prep to Nominate

The sudden passing of U.S. Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee has set off a cascade of local politicos eyeing her vacant Houston seat, with former Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner, state Rep. Jarvis Johnson, and Houston Councilwoman Letitia Plummer among the hopefuls; Democratic precinct chairs will select the nominee not voters, as Jackson Lee had clinched her primary before her death, according to the Texas Tribune.

Despite the district's firm Democratic leanings and the anticipated ultimate victory of whoever lands the Democratic nod, the process for choosing a replacement is not for the faint of heart, candidates have until Aug. 26 to curry favor with the 88 Democratic precinct chairs who hold sway over their political fates and amid this, a televised candidate forum is in the works for Aug. 10, showcasing their platforms and promises, the late congresswoman's seat, having been held by her for three decades, now teeters on the edge of a new era.

Rep. Johnson, serving in the Texas House since 2016, officially threw in his hat first, being the sole declared candidate as of this report; he has previously expressed his ambition for the role, once challenging Jackson Lee back in 2010 and he remarked in a statement, "Just as Joe Biden passed the torch to a willing and able candidate, I stand ready to provide cohesion and strength, while fighting for the 18th District against the Republican regime," the Texas Tribune reports.

Turner, who left the mayor's office this year, is reported as "seriously considering" a run for the seat, citing a close bond with the late Jackson Lee who in turn had sought to fill his mayoral shoes but did not secure the Democratic nomination, Turner having battled bone cancer was in the public's eye not just politically but personally, yet he expressed a full recovery and a readiness to serve again.

Amanda Edwards, the runner-up in the district’s original primary and former Houston City Council member, has signaled her unchanged interest in serving the community but is currently refraining from active engagement out of respect for Jackson Lee's family, whereas Plummer has signaled her interest but awaits legal advice on whether she must resign to run, stating "Sheila Jackson Lee delivered, and you have to find an advocate and also have the relationships to deliver. Whoever takes that seat has to be able to know have to drive dollars from the federal government down to the city and the county," to the Texas Tribune.

While the Democratic nominee for Jackson Lee's seat will be decided by the local party officials, Governor Greg Abbott holds the cards for calling a special election to fill the position for the remainder of the term; he has not indicated his plans.

In memory of the congresswoman's extensive service, Jackson Lee will honorably lie in state in the City Hall Rotunda on Monday.