2024-07-23 13:25:02
Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee’s death leaves a void in a closely divided House of Representatives. The Texas Election Code provides a two-step process for filling the seat of a House member who dies in office.
One is the process for filling the deceased member’s place on the November ballot. The candidate will be selected by a vote of Harris County Democratic Party precinct chairs in an open contest. The party has until August 26th at 5 p.m. to hold that vote, according to Texas law. There are roughly 130 precinct chairs currently in office.
“And there will be a special election to fill out the (unexpired) term,” said Michael Adams, who teaches political science at Texas Southern University. “It will be called by the Governor.”
Jackson Lee died Friday in Houston at the age of 74.
The last member of Congress from Texas before Jackson Lee to die in office was Republican Congressman Ron Wright (TX-6), who died of COVID in 2021. He was succeeded in a special election by Republican Jake Ellzey, who subsequently won the general election for that seat and has held it ever since.
The offices of Texas’ 18th Congressional District continue to function even without a congressperson, with staff providing constituent services.
“The Congresswoman’s final message to her Chief of Staff, Lillie Coney, and her District Director was to see that the Washington DC Offices continue the work during this Hurricane Season to act as liaisons with the deployment of all assistance to constituents and assist in the work of FEMA, SBA, and Red Cross, joined by dozens of volunteers to get help where it is needed,” said a statement Jackson Lee’s office issued Sunday.
