The 88 precinct chairs from District 18 have spoken. Sylvester Turner, Houston’s former mayor, was selected by the precinct chairs as the Democratic candidate to appear on the Nov. 5 ballot seeking to become the elected official tasked with upholding the legacy of the historic U.S. Congress 18th Congressional District seat – a seat held by legends Barbara Jordan, George “Mickey” Leland, Craig Washington and Sheila Jackson Lee.
Following Jackson Lee’s passing on July 19, speculation arose as to who would be the next person to represent District 18. Several individuals sought the seat, including former Houston City Council member Amanda Edwards, State Rep. Jarvis Johnson, State Rep. Christina Morales, current Houston City Council member Letitia Plummer, Robert Slater (Houston chef and entrepreneur), Corisha Rogers (activist) and Cortlan Wickliff (associate vice provost of academic affairs at Rice University).
However, on the evening of Aug. 13, the District 18 precinct judges met at Wheeler Avenue Baptist Church to cast their votes. Turner emerged victorious after a run-off between he and Edwards, the two top vote-getters during the initial voting.
The final tally: Turner 42, Edwards 37.
The precinct chairs were proud of their work, but glad to have cleared this big ticket item off their “things to do” list.
“This had to be the most exciting election I have ever been a part of,” shared Monique Jackson, Precinct Chair 960. “People were intense, excited and nervous all at the same time.”
Jackson said the initial votes ended up being extremely close, which led to the run-off between Edwards and Turner.
“And then the end was 37 for Amanda Edwards and 42 for Sylvester Turner, and the crowd for Turner went crazy. It was so exciting, but we were relieved all at the same time.”
Jackson, who cast her vote for Turner, believes she made the right decision electing the former Houston mayor as the nominee to run for the seat most recently filled by Jackson Lee. Still, she was thoroughly impressed with the runner-up, Edwards.
“She fought a good fight, and I do hope to see her in this position in the upcoming years,” Jackson added.
Just days before the precinct chairs’ decision, a District 18 Candidates Forum was held on Aug. 10 at Young Women’s College Preparatory Academy (1906 Cleburne St., Houston, 77004). Coordinated by the Southeast Democrats Network and the Black Women of Greater Houston PAC, the forum provided an opportunity for precinct chairs and the general public to hear from the candidates in person.
The forum was moderated by DeLaun Dillard, Fox26 Houston morning anchor, and Sonny Messiah Jiles, CEO of the Defender Network, who each asked the candidates serious and probing questions, giving attendees a good sense of what each candidate brought to the table.
With Turner now on the ballot, he will face Republican Lana Centonze on Nov. 5 to see who will ultimately go to Washington D.C. to represent Texas’s District 18. The winner of that race will begin their term on Jan. 3, 2025, the same day the term of the person who wins the Special Election “interim” District 18 seat ends.
Texas Governor Greg Abbott called the special election to fill the seat from November to Jan. 3, 2025. And though persons interested in running for that “interim” seat have until Aug. 22 to register, the current odds-on favorite appears to be Erica Lee Carter, daughter of Jackson Lee, who announced on Aug. 12 that she will enter the Special Election.
“The people of the 18th Congressional District, re-elected my mother to the 118th Congress to protect their interest and uphold our democratic values,” said Lee Carter. “Congresswoman Jackson Lee kept their interests in her heart and mind until the very end. Since then, so many community leaders and democratic stalwarts have requested that I consider completing her term this year by running in the Nov. 5 Special Election. After careful consideration, the answer is YES.”
Whether it be Lee Carter, who endorsed Turner for the “full-term” position, or someone else, the person who wins that “interim” seat will make way for Turner in January should he win the Nov. 5 election. Though Turner will be a U.S. Congressional novice, he is no newcomer to politics, having served as Houston’s mayor for eight years and 27 years in the Texas Legislature.
Turner said during the Aug. 10 Candidates Forum that he would serve as a “bridge candidate,” with plans to serve only one or two terms — a point duly noted by precinct chair Jackson.
“Turner made it very clear that he wants to be the olive branch to the next generation and that he will do all that he can to see to it that they are groomed and well-trained to take over in the upcoming years,” she stated.
