At least three Democrats have expressed interest in running for the Houston area seat. Harris County Democratic officials, not the voters, will determine who appears on the ballot in November.

At least three local politicians are considering running to replace U.S. Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee, who represents Houston in the House of Representatives.

Former Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner is among the Democratic candidates who have declared or are considering running. Jarvis Johnson, a state representative from Houston and Letitia plummer, a Houston councilwoman also make up this list. Amanda Edwards who came in second place in the district’s primary in this year’s election says she still wants to “serve this community”.

Jackson Lee won the Democratic Primary earlier this year. Therefore, the voters will not be the ones who decide who replaces her on the ballot in November. Candidates will instead make their case before a group Harris County Democratic officials.

After a long career in Congress, the congresswoman who died of pancreatic cancer just a few months before the election left her seat vacant for the first time since the 1980s.

In November, the nominee will face Republican Lana Centonze. However, the district is solidly a blue color, so it is assumed that the Democratic nominee will win. Jackson Lee, who served 15 terms as the 18th Congressional District’s representative in Washington, faced few challenges during her tenure.

According to state law, the Democratic Party executive committee for 18th Congressional District must choose a candidate for her replacement on the ballot in November by August 26. The committee is composed of the 88 Democratic precinct chairpersons within the district. The chairs will give potential candidates the chance to present their views and priorities.

On August 10, candidates seeking the Democratic nomination are invited to participate in a candidate forum that will be televised.

The local party officials haven’t yet announced when they plan to convene a special meeting for the purpose of selecting the nominee. However, this meeting must be held at least 10 working days prior to the deadline.

It is not just a question of who she will replace on the ballot but also if someone will be chosen to complete her term.

Gov. Greg Abbott is authorized to call for a special election in order to fill the remaining term of the current seat. This would be a decision made by the voters. Abbott hasn’t said if he will call a special election, but state law doesn’t require him to.

Johnson was the sole declared candidate on Tuesday afternoon. The Houston Representative has been in the Texas House of Representatives since 2016, and was previously on the Houston City Council. He was a candidate for the State Senate earlier this year, but lost to Molly Cook by a narrow margin. He will not return to the state house.

In 2010, he also ran against Jackson Lee to win her seat, but lost by an overwhelming margin.

Johnson, in a press release, said: “Just like Joe Biden handed the torch to an able and willing candidate, I am ready to provide strength and cohesion, as I fight for the 18th District and against the Republican regime.”

Turner told KHOU Monday that he was “seriously evaluating” a bid, citing a long-standing friendship with Jackson Lee. Jackson Lee, who was elected to succeed Turner as mayor in 2024 but lost the December primary election, ran for his position. Turner announced in 2022 that he was treated for bone cancer, but claimed to have recovered.

Jackson Lee ran for re-election in her House seat after losing her mayoral bid to John Whitmire. Amanda Edwards, a Houston councilwoman, had already become the front-runner in the district primary after she had withdrawn from the mayoral race to show respect for Jackson Lee. Jackson Lee won the most competitive race she has had in years, yet Edwards was still defeated by 22 points.

Edwards, former Houston City Council Member, said that she was not ready to discuss the nomination because of Jackson Lee’s parents.

She said, “While my interest to serve this community remains the same, I want honor and respect to the sensitive timing of Congresswoman Jackson Lee’s passing and I prefer to discuss this later.”

Plummer, who is currently an at-large council member on Houston, said that she would be interested in running for the House but would first seek legal advice to determine if the city policy requiring councilmembers to resign prior to seeking other office would apply to this unusual nomination process. Plummer admitted that it would be hard to resign her seat without receiving the nomination, but that this is a “rare opportunity” that she will never again have.

Plummer stated that “Sheila Jackson Lee was a great advocate, but you also need to have the right relationships and find someone who can deliver.” “Whoever is elected to that seat must be able drive federal dollars down to the local government.” Plummer said.

Jackson Lee will be laid to rest in the City Hall Rotunda Monday.