Erica Lee Carter, the daughter of the late Texas Democratic Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee, announced Monday night that she is running to fill her mother's congressional seat.
Carter is statement She posted on her late mother's Twitter account that she was running in the special election for Texas' 18th Congressional District, which will decide who will fill the remainder of Lee's term.
“I WANT TO FINISH FOR MY MOMO!” Carter wrote in capital letters at the beginning of her statement.
Erica Lee Carter, daughter of the late Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee, released the following statement:
“I want to finish the race for my mom!” pic.twitter.com/HuYv3rbXFh
— Sheila Jackson Lee (@SJacksonLee) August 12, 2024
Carter claimed that in the weeks following her mother's death, several Democrats had asked her to run in her place.
“The people of the 18th Congressional District re-elected my mother to the 118th Congress to protect our interests and uphold our democratic values. Congressman Jackson Lee had their interests at heart to the end. I have been urged by many community leaders and Democratic allies to run in the Nov. 5 special election to serve out my term this year. After careful consideration, the answer is yes,” Carter said.
Rep. Lee's office announced her death at the age of 74 via a statement posted on the late congresswoman's X account on July 19. The statement did not disclose the cause of death, but Rep. Lee had been battling pancreatic cancer prior to her passing. (Related: Former YouTube CEO dies at age 56)
— Sheila Jackson Lee (@JacksonLeeTX18) July 20, 2024
Lee represented Texas' 18th Congressional District for 30 years.
