HOUSTON -- Commissioner El Franco Lee's empty chair was covered in a black ribbon during Tuesday's Harris County Commissioner's Court hearing. It was the first meeting since his sudden death caused by a heart attack last Sunday.
"This is the most difficult court any of us has ever had to deal with," said County Judge Ed Emmett. "We knew that it had to be business as usual because that's what Commissioner Lee would have wanted."
Lee served Precinct 1 since 1985 and was the first African American elected to the county court. Lee was a Democrat, but was praised by leaders on both sides of the political aisle. Many choked back tears as they spoke of his service and statesmanship.
"Some politicians these days are more concerned about keeping their jobs than doing their jobs, Commissioner El Franco Lee certainly never fit into that category," said Commissioner Steve Radack, who represents Precinct 3.
"He is going to be sorely missed," added Commissioner Jack Cagle of Precinct 4. "Lee was first and always in front of how can we take care of people and do the most good."
Judge Emmett, who is a Republican, will have the task of appointing someone to fill the remaining year of Lee's current term. Emmett says he will likely choose a Democrat who is an African American.
"It's an overwhelmingly Democrat seat and it is the first African American seat on the Harris County commission, so you have to take that into consideration," He said.
Despite his death, Lee's name will still appear on the November ballot as the only candidate running for Precinct 1 commissioner. He was unopposed for re-election and the filing deadline for other candidates passed in December. Therefore, Harris County Democratic leaders will essentially get to pick who fills Lee's next 4 year term, which starts in January of 2017.
