The death of Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee on July 19 has left the House seat representing Texas’ 18th Congressional District vacant. Here’s what could happen next in filling the seat, according to federal law.
What happens next?
According to House documents, if a lawmaker dies or resigns during a term, the state executive branch must call a special election to select a candidate to fill the vacancy for the remainder of the term.
Governor Lee’s two-year term ends in January. Governor Greg Abbott has the power to call a special election to fill the vacancy for the remainder of the term. State law does not set a deadline for calling a special election. However, once a special election is called, Governor Abbott must set a date for the election within two months of announcing it. As of July 25, Governor Abbott’s office has not yet issued a statement on whether or not he will call a special election.
Detailed information
Lee filed for reelection to the House in November after losing the Houston mayoral race to former state Sen. John Whitmire last year. Lee won the Democratic primary for the House in March and was scheduled to face Republican Lana Szentonze in November to keep her seat.
According to Texas election law:
The Harris County Democratic Executive Committee has until Aug. 26 to nominate a candidate to run in the general election. If a candidate isn’t selected by the deadline, the Texas Democratic Party will have to make a decision. The general election is Nov. 5. Whoever is selected will face off against Centonze in November.
Several candidates in Houston have already expressed interest in running for the open seat, but no official announcements have been made yet. Candidates who have expressed interest include Democratic Rep. Jarvis Johnson of Texas and former Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner.
“I am seriously considering running for the 18th seat,” Turner said in a statement, “but as tributes continue to pour in from around the world for my friend and longtime colleague, Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee, I feel strongly that the focus in the coming days should be on celebrating the Congresswoman’s extraordinary life and achievements.”
Points to note
The Texas 18th Congressional District Office has announced that it will hold an official memorial for Lee, which will be held in Houston from July 29 to August 1.
Funeral and memorial service: July 30, 4-8pm, at God’s Grace Community Church, 9944 W. Montgomery Road, Houston. Community farewell and thanksgiving service: July 31, 3-8pm, at Wheeler Avenue Baptist Church, 3826 Wheeler Ave., Houston. Memorial service: August 1, 11am, at Fallbrook Church, 12512 Walters Road, Houston. Houston Mayor John Whitmire also announced at the Houston City Council that Lee’s state funeral will be held on July 29 from 9am to 7pm in the Rotunda at Houston City Hall (901 Bagby St.). The memorial service will be attended privately by Lee’s family, followed by a ceremony by Mayor Whitmire and City Council members.
Lee is the second recipient of the award after cardiac surgeon Dr. Michael DeBeke, who received the honor in 2008 at the request of his family.
