Former Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner clinched the Democratic nomination for the Texas 18th Congressional District in a closely contested selection process that took place at the Wheeler Avenue Baptist Church. The two-and-a-half-hour event saw six out of the eight declared candidates vying for the nomination, with Turner eventually emerging victorious.
During the selection process, each of the six candidates addressed the crowd before nearly 80 precinct chairs present voted by roll call. Turner secured 35 votes, narrowly edging out former Houston City Council Member Amanda Edwards who received 34 votes. However, Turner fell short of the majority needed to secure the nomination in the first round. Other candidates such as current City Council Member Letitia Plummer and State Representatives Jarvis Johnson and Christina Morales registered in the single digits, while chef and businessman Robert Slater failed to garner any votes.
In the second round of voting, Turner managed to garner 41 votes compared to Edwards’ 37, ultimately securing the Democratic nomination. In his acceptance speech, Turner expressed his gratitude to all his Democratic opponents, particularly acknowledging Amanda Edwards for her energy and ideas. He emphasized the importance of unity and collaboration, stating his intention to invite his fellow candidates to work together for the betterment of the district.
Turner, at 69 years old, was the oldest major candidate in the Democratic contest and has vowed to serve a maximum of two terms in Congress, positioning himself as a transition candidate. He is set to succeed the late Sheila Jackson Lee, who passed away on July 19 at the age of 74. Erica Lee Carter, Jackson Lee’s daughter, has announced her candidacy for the November special election to complete her mother’s term in the current session of Congress.
Looking ahead to the general election in November, Turner will face off against Lana Centonze, the Republican nominee for the Texas 18th Congressional District. Despite the upcoming challenge, the district has historically leaned Democratic since its redrawn boundaries in the 1970s, making Turner’s victory in the fall elections highly probable. This victory would allow Turner to focus on campaigning for Vice President Kamala Harris, the anticipated Democratic presidential nominee, and Congressman Colin Allred, who will be challenging Republican Senator Ted Cruz.
As he addressed his supporters, Turner emphasized the importance of uniting to turn Texas blue in the upcoming elections, expressing his hope that the 18th Congressional District would lead the way in this endeavor. With a strong focus on mobilizing support for the Democratic candidates, Turner urged his audience to work towards a successful outcome in November.
In conclusion, Sylvester Turner’s triumph in securing the Democratic nomination for the Texas 18th Congressional District sets the stage for an exciting and competitive race in the upcoming general election. With a commitment to unity, collaboration, and service, Turner aims to lead the district towards a brighter future, representing the interests and aspirations of its constituents.
