Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee is running to be the next mayor of Houston.
The congresswoman made the “long-rumored” announcement to the congregation at the City Cathedral Church.
A video posted by the Urban Reform on Twitter captured the moment.
“Sheila Jackson Lee wants to come home to be your Mayor, for the City of Houston,” @JacksonLeeTX18 (@sjl4hrc) announcing her bid for mayor at City Cathedral Church pic.twitter.com/naenrUUVty
— Urban Reform (@urbanreformorg) March 27, 2023
“As I close I say to you, I hope I have been an humble servant to you for 28 years, many of you in my district. Sheila Jackson Lee wants to come home to be your mayor for the city of Houston,” Jackson Lee said. “I will not be able to do it without each and every one of you.”
The esteemed politician, who has been in Congress since 1995, has just raised the stakes in the already crowded field of Democratic hopefuls vying to fill Mayor Sylvester Turner’s spot.
[SCROLL BREAK!!! Bayou Beat News can also be found in PRINT at a store near you. Click the link below to check out our E-Edition!]
Other candidates include Sen. John Whitmire, who has – to date- raised the most dollars in what is being called a “war chest” of campaign funds, in addition to former Harris County Clerk Chris Hollins, who made a name for himself during the last presidential election with controversial voting issues in the county. Also in the race are former Houston City Council member Amanda Edwards, current council member Robert Gallegos, attorney Lee Kaplan and former METRO board chair Gilbert Garcia.
Mayor Turner has served two terms as Houston mayor and is not allowed to run again.
Election Day is Nov. 7.