Rep. Lee Loses bid for Houston Mayor

Texas Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee (D) has lost her bid to become mayor of Houston. Texas state Senator John Whitmire (D) defeated Rep. Lee despite the numerous high-profile endorsements that Rep. Lee received.

State Senator Whitmire defeated Rep. Lee in a landslide victory. State Senator Whitmire received 64.4% of the vote while Rep. Lee received 35.6%. Rep. Lee had received endorsements from New York Rep. Hakeem Jeffries (D), California Rep. Nancy Pelosi (D), and Secretary Hillary Clinton (D). However, Rep. Lee’s campaign became mired in controversy after a profanity-laced video was released on social media, showing the Texas Democrat berating a staffer.

In late October, Rep. Lee apologized for her actions while noting that the recording was being used to slander her political ambitions.

“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,” she commented.

“At heart, I am someone who tells it straight. I know that as much as that is a strength, it can sometimes be a challenged 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,” she added.

Over the weekend, she conceded the mayoral race and mentioned that she is committed to collaborating with State Senator Whitmire to serve Houstonians. Commenting that her work is “not completed,” Rep. Lee did not comment on if she would be running for reelection to the House.

“I hope you will allow me to continue to work and serve you as I have done in the past because that is what I will do,” she said.