Wheeler Avenue Baptist Church has been central to Black Houstonians’ efforts to secure and protect civic and human rights since its founding in 1962 by the late Rev. Dr. William A. “Bill” Lawson.
So, it only made sense that Wheeler served as the site of the “Congressional District 18 Candidates Forum: Ground Zero for Justice” on Aug. 28.
The forum featured five of the nearly 20 candidates running to represent the historic 18th Congressional District: Zoe Cadore, Amanda Edwards, Isaiah Martin, Christian Menefee and Robert Slater.
Melanie Miles Bazil of the Harris County Democratic Party (HCDP) shared that the duly elected CD18 Precinct Chairs selected the five participants.
“These grassroots leaders have been interviewing candidates, attending forums and reviewing platforms for months,” said Miles Bazil. “They [voted] to identify the five candidates they believe best represent the range of ideas and viability for CD18.”
Forum attendees were not shy about sharing their takes on the forum’s highs and lows, and picking a forum winner.
Who won?
It was difficult to gauge, simply by crowd reactions, which of the five participating candidates emerged from the forum as a potential frontrunner. The answer to the question “Who won” depended on who you asked.
“Christian Menefee was my best candidate on this evening,” said Houstonian David Williams, who emphasized experience and accomplishments. “I say that because I’ve had a lot of exposure with Christian. I’ve seen his work, the work that he has done in the state, the work that he’s done in filing suits against the Trump administration, and not only filing suits, but winning them.
“Those things matter to me. A track record matters. Some of the candidates were good. They were all good. But Christian Menefee was definitely my best candidate on this night.”
Joetta Stevenson, chairperson of Precinct 160, was initially hesitant to share who she thought won the night, but she finally relented.
“I’m a little bit biased only because I have made a decision, and I made a decision a while ago. I thought that Amanda Edwards is the prime person that I think would be excellent for the CD 18 seat,” shared Stevenson, who added a caveat. “However, I am also looking at people who I think make good representatives, nonetheless. And I saw some people even younger than Amanda, who were firebrands, and I really love that.”
Remington Wiley offered no hesitation when responding to the question, “Who won?”
“Zoe Cadore. She came in and she was ready to give her experience, to give her enthusiasm for wanting to really work in this district and work with the Republicans and the Democrats on bipartisan solutions,” shared Wiley.
Danny Norris, a former Harris County Department of Education board member, gave an answer that sounded political, yet heartfelt and genuine.
“Who won? The people won. They got to see five great and polished candidates,” declared Norris.
And it’s hard to argue with Norris. Seemingly, all five candidates received love from attendees in the form of applause and verbal confirmations, though neither was allowed by the forum’s rules, which were enforced by moderators Sonny Messiah Jiles, Defender Network publisher and CEO, and Greg Groogan, Fox 26 reporter.
Positives
Though Williams liked the candidates’ discussion about economics, he was really energized by another topic—battling Republicans.
“Fighting back strongly, that’s what we need in the 18th district,” said Williams. We need a candidate that’s going to actively and with determination and passion fight against the Trump administration, Greg Abbott, redistricting and gerrymandering, the things that are working in direct conflict with our interests and our needs for our families and our children.”
Steveson was also fired up about the passion displayed by the “firebrands.”
“I think because I am out of the Fifth Ward area, which Barbara Jordan came from, which Mickey Leland came from, which Sheila Jackson Lee was an honorary Fifth Ward member, I’m telling you… We need somebody strong. We need someone with experience, and we need somebody that’s a fighter.
“Because we come from a fighting community and we don’t play.”
What stood out?
For all her fire, Stevenson still appreciated the diversity of the candidates.
“I really liked the fact that the five that were chosen, I think they were all different enough that they each brought something special to this debate, which made it interesting,” she said.
Stevenson was also floored by the turnout.
“This place was packed. This place was packed. That tells me that we’re not asleep,” shouted Stevenson. “We’re Democrats. We’re ready to fight. We’re ready to stand up for the CD 18. We’re ready to stand up against people in the state of Texas who aren’t representing everybody in Texas. We’re ready to fight. And I love that.”
Wiley agreed.
“It was amazing to see how many people were here to actually see the debate,” shared Wiley. “We’ve been without representation for over seven months, which is absolutely ridiculous. And the people are here, and we’re wanting to see who is going to really come out and do the work and support the community.
“I thought it was fascinating that we had a room full of people and a stage full of great candidates who have brought all of their experience here to represent our district.”
Context
CD 18 is one of the districts at the heart of Texas Republicans’ redistricting (gerrymandering) efforts, which have made national news. District 18 residents have been without congressional representation since the death of U.S. Rep. Sylvester Turner. That will change in the Nov. 4 special election called by Texas Gov. Greg Abbott. Turner won the seat vacated by the death of U.S. Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee, who held it for 29 years.
HCDP, along with Black Women of Greater Houston PAC (BWGH) and Wheeler Avenue Baptist Church, sponsored the forum. The forum’s media sponsors included Fox 26 and the Defender Network, with Fox 26 reporter Greg Groogan and the Defender Network’s publisher and owner Sonny Messiah Jiles serving as moderators.
“It is only fitting that [Wheeler] help provide a platform where the community can hear directly from candidates who aspire to carry forward the legacy of courageous, principled leadership that has always been synonymous with CD18,” said Dr. Angela Ravin-Anderson, director of Wheeler’s social justice ministry. Anderson referenced Wheeler’s “long legacy of advocacy and civic leadership,” led by Wheeler’s founding pastor, Rev. Dr. William Alexander Lawson, during the Civil Rights Movement.
“Today, under the leadership of Pastor Marcus D. Cosby, we continue that legacy by standing at the forefront of the fight against racist gerrymandering and all efforts to silence the voices of our community.”
