AUSTIN (Nexstar) – In response to questions about why he hasn’t initiated a special election to fill the empty position following the death of ex-Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner, Governor Greg Abbott stated that Harris County should be granted "sufficient time" to organize the election due to previous “multiple setbacks.” However, Democratic officials both locally and federally argue that the governor’s delay may be politically motivated, particularly with U.S. House Republicans maintaining their narrow control over the majority.
"If I had acted too hastily, it might have resulted in a fiasco during that election, much like how Harris County has mishandled previous elections. They require sufficient time to conduct a fair and accurate election—not one of those chaotic ones we've seen before," Governor Abbott stated during an interview with Nexstar.
Lawmakers have previously focused their attention on Harris County elections. A review of the elections in the county covering the period from 2021 to 2022 discovered "systemic failures by the Harris County Elections Administrator to adequately distribute electoral materials such as ballots, train poll staff, and manage the voter registry have led to a decline in public confidence in the Harris County voting system."
In 2023, the Texas Legislature enacted Senate Bill 1750 , which eliminated the position of elections administrator in Harris County and restored election responsibilities to the county clerk. Harris County Clerk Teneshia Hudspeth stated in a Nexstar interview that since taking back these duties in September 2023, her office has successfully managed eight elections.
"We continue to be completely ready to carry out the Congressional District 18 election immediately after the Governor gives the directive," Hudspeth's statement said.
After issuing the order, the Harris County Clerk’s office stated that it would take approximately 60 days to get ready for such a large-scale election. The county clerk’s office also noted that state and federal regulations mandate sending out overseas and military ballots at least 45 days prior to Election Day.
The governor mentioned he would schedule the election "in the near future," however, lawmakers from the Houston area requested during a press briefing at the state Capitol on Thursday that the governor immediately initiate the election process.
"Please schedule a special election right away so the public can have their say," stated State Representative Jolanda Jones, D-Houston. The CD 18 district includes sections of Houston. For many years, this region has been represented by Democrats, and now some Democratic officials think the governor isn’t moving forward with a special election because he’s aware that another Democrat would likely secure the position, thereby reducing the GOP's current seven-seat advantage in the U.S. House.
State Representatives Christina Morales from District D of Houston, Charlene Ward Johnson from District D of Houston, and Lauren Ashley Simmons from District D of Houston, along with State Senator Molly Cook from District D of Houston, gathered at a press conference on Thursday to show their support and voice worries about the issues affecting residents of Congressional District 18.
"People not just merit equitable representation in these policies impacting them; they also require constituent services. Currently, they are deprived of an individual who can lead efforts for their district to ensure people receive the necessary federal funds," Cook stated.
Ward Johnson added, "We're missing out on crucial funds and a significant vote affecting our district. What we really need is a representative for Congressional District 18 who will speak up for us."
House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, D - New York, informed journalists earlier this week that House Democrats would probably initiate legal action. If the governor doesn’t request a special election, then Governor Abbott is the sole individual with the authority to summon it and faces no official time limit within which he must act.
On Friday, Representative Jeffries posted on his X account stating, "Donald Trump and the House Republicans are feeling afraid. This is why extreme right-wing groups have colluded with the Texas governor to postpone scheduling a special election aimed at filling the seat vacated by the late Rep. Sylvester Turner."
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