HOUSTON — Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee, who is running for Houston mayor, is responding to audio that’s been making the rounds on social media. The audio surfaced over the weekend, just before early voting started for the Nov. 7 elections.
It’s not clear when the audio was recorded, but in it, a woman could be heard berating a staffer, using several profanities and criticizing that staffers ability to carry out a task to her liking.
Political experts say this development highlights the intensity of this race.
“If this is, in fact, an audio recording of Sheila Jackson Lee, it probably helps John Whitmire and his team because they smell blood in the water,” KHOU 11 political analyst Brandon Rottinghaus said. “They want to end this without a runoff and that means getting big turnout in early voting all the way through election day.
Polls have Whitmire and Jackson Lee as the frontrunners in the mayoral race.
On Tuesday, Jackson Lee released a statement acknowledging the recording. Below is that statement in full, which stops short of explicitly admitting it was the congresswoman's voice on the recording.
“I want to convey to the people of Houston that I strongly believe that everyone deserves to be treated with dignity and respect, and that includes my own staff. I know that I am not perfect. I recognize that in my zeal to do everything possible to deliver for my constituents I have in the past fallen short of my own standards and there is no excuse for that. I am passionate about serving my constituents. I want the best for all of them.
"At heart, I am someone who tells it straight. I know that as much as that is a strength, it can sometimes be a challenge to balance. But when I fall short, I want the people I represent to know that it is because I’m standing up for them - not me. To anyone who has listened to this recording with concern, I am regretful and hope you will judge me not by something trotted out by a political opponent, that worked to exploit this, and backed by extreme Republican supporters on the very day that polls open, but from what I’ve delivered to Houstonians over my years of public service.
"Many staff have worked in my office and many of them have gone on to bigger and better opportunities, and others as well have returned to work with me again. Interns in my office leave with actual constituent service and legislative experience. I want each of them to know that the work we accomplish would never be possible without their hard work and dedication. Working as a public servant is demanding, but it is my calling. I expect excellence at all times and I know that it is because of their commitment that I am able to fulfill my duties as an elected official. I will never forget the debt of gratitude I and so many others owe them.
"Moving forward, I want the people of Houston to know that my vision for our city, as mayor, is unwavering. I am dedicated to addressing the pressing issues that our community faces, such as crime and public safety, education, healthcare, affordable housing, and economic and greater job development. I’m excited about the opportunities to secure more federal funds and developing public private partnerships for the city. I am committed to making Houston a better place for all of us, and the sooner we can refocus on the real issues we face instead of political attacks and stunts, the sooner we can achieve these goals. I look forward to uniting this very diverse city and recognize that our strength is in the work we will do together.”
KHOU 11 has not been able to independently verify the authenticity of the audio recording.