In Austin, Texas, a political race is underway to fill a vacant congressional seat left by the passing of Rep. Sylvester Turner. Turner, a former mayor of Houston, passed away on March 5, only weeks after starting his inaugural term in the U.S. Congress. The vacancy exists in a district traditionally held by Democrats, who are eager to reclaim the seat and possibly impact the slim Republican majority in the House.
Texas Republican Governor Greg Abbott holds the exclusive power to announce a special election to fill Turner’s seat. However, more than three weeks after Turner’s death, the governor has yet to establish a date for this election. This delay has sparked criticism from Democratic figures who accuse Abbott of stalling to help solidify the Republican advantage in Congress. Currently, the Republican Party holds 218 seats compared to the 213 held by Democrats.
Abbott’s office, through spokesman Andrew Mahaleris, communicated that the announcement of a special election date is forthcoming, amidst speculation concerning how the GOP majority considerations might influence Abbott’s decision. Traditionally in Texas, special elections are conducted in either May or November. Historically, Governor Abbott acted promptly in 2021 by calling a special election two weeks following the death of Republican Rep. Ron Wright, the first congressional member to succumb to COVID-19. Similarly, a special election was organized shortly after Democratic Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee’s passing last year.
State Democrat leader, Houston Rep. Gene Wu, expressed concerns that the postponement is a calculated act, indicating the precariousness of the Republicans’ House majority. Additionally, President Donald Trump recent announcement of retracting Rep. Elise Stefanik’s United Nations nomination underscores Republican stress over maintaining control in the U.S. House. Trump emphasized the importance of securing every Republican seat in Congress, voicing this stance on his social media platform.
The anxiety of maintaining a Republican majority in Congress is palpable, with New York Democrats having initially proposed legislation delaying a special election for Stefanik’s seat. However, the proposal was halted following robust Republican opposition.
Several candidates are preparing for the potential Texas election, including Harris County Attorney Christian Menefee and former Houston City Council Member Amanda Edwards. Menefee has quickly garnered support, receiving endorsements from notable Democratic figures such as former Reps. Colin Allred and Beto O’Rourke. Edwards, an attorney, has previously campaigned for this congressional seat twice last year.
The urgency to schedule these special elections is paralleled elsewhere in the country. For instance, in Arizona, Democratic Governor Katie Hobbs promptly declared a special election only days after the death of Rep. Raul Grijalva on March 13. Republicans and Democrats alike are navigating these challenging circumstances, mindful of the crucial balance of power within the U.S. Congress.