Former Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner announced that he is considering a run to replace the late U.S. Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee on the upcoming general election ballot.
Jackson Lee died last week after a battle with pancreatic cancer, leaving both a vacancy in the current term, which ends in December, and a need for the local Democrat Party to select a replacement for her on the ballot.
Turner told KHOU that he is only considering it because he and Jackson Lee were friends for decades and the 18th Congressional District needs stability at this “critical juncture” in politics.
Turner left office in January after serving eight years as Houston’s mayor. Many expected him to enter retirement after having his battle with cancer in 2022, but he has remained vocal, often throwing veiled criticism at Mayor John Whitmire since leaving office.
Before serving as mayor, Turner was a member of the Texas House.
He said he plans to think about it and announce a decision in the coming days.
State Rep. Jarvis Johnson (D-Houston) has also declared his interest in the open seat. Johnson is not returning to the House as he ran for Senate District 15 but lost in the Democrat Primary.
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