HARRIS COUNTY, Texas — More Houston politicians are expressing interest in potentially running for the vacant congressional seat following the passing of Sheila Jackson Lee.
Houston City Councilwoman Letitia Plummer told KHOU she is definitely considering running for the seat but is not making an official decision or announcement yet. Still, she said in an interview she believes she has the youth and experience to lead the district.
"To be able to be there long enough to be on those (congressional) committees to actually make a difference for the district is really going to be important," Plummer told KHOU 11 News. "And so finding someone that not only has done the work in the community, but finding someone that is age-appropriate, that has the experience, the life lived experiences, right? To be able to represent this district is something that I hope that the precinct chairs look at."
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Plummer also highlighted her work on Houston City Council as an at-large member for why she can be an effective representative.
Meanwhile, state Rep. Jarvis Johnson spoke with KHOU 11 for the first time since a spokesperson said he was "100 percent running" on Tuesday. He said his ties to the community can help energize the constituency and can propel him to bring federal resources to the district.
"We do need to understand there's a there are other populations and blocks of people that need to show up and we have to engage and involve them," Johnson said. "And that's why, I think, it makes me the best candidate to do so, because I have a vision to embrace, engage and invigorate, a strong voting bloc that I think is a sleeping giant."
All potential candidates are wary of the timing surrounding the process to run for the seat. Funeral services for Jackson Lee will not be held until the beginning of August.
That has pushed some to wait to make a final decision.
Former Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner released a statement Wednesday saying he will wait until Friday, Aug. 2, to make an announcement.
"I am taking a serious look at the 18th Congressional seat," Turner said. "Yet, as tributes continue to pour in from across the globe for my friend and long-time colleague, Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee, I feel strongly that our focus in the coming days should remain on celebrating the Congresswoman’s remarkable life and legacy.
Amanda Edwards, the runner-up against Jackson Lee in the primary earlier this year, told KHOU 11 in a phone call she would wait to discuss her intentions at a later time after the honors for Jackson Lee.
The Democratic Party of Harris County said more details about the process for replacing Sheila Jackson Lee on the November ballot will come out next week, but noted a vote by precinct judges to select a candidate is expected to be completed within the next month.