TX Gov Still Hasn’t Called Special Election To Fill Dem House Seat

Rep. Sylvester Turner (D-TX) died two months into his first term representing congressional district 18 as a member of the House of Representatives. His funeral was held March 15. And yet, Gov. Greg Abbott (R) – who has the sole power to call a special election to fill the seat – has yet to do so. Gee, wonder why…?

Republicans hold a tiny majority in the U.S. House, creating an incentive for Gov. Greg Abbott to hold off on calling an election for U.S. Rep. Sylvester Turner’s seat, which would likely be filled by a Democrat.

[image or embed] — Texas Tribune (@texastribune.org) March 26, 2025 at 7:57 AM

From the Texas Tribune:

Turner’s death — in addition to the death this month of an Arizona Democrat, U.S. Rep. Raul Grijalva — comes at a critical moment for Republicans, who hold a razor-thin majority in the House and can afford few defections on any votes if all Democrats remain united in opposition.

Congressional District 18 is a solidly blue district encompassing downtown Houston and several of the city’s historic neighborhoods, including Third Ward and parts of The Heights and Acres Homes.

With Turner’s seat vacant, the House breaks down to 218 Republicans and 213 Democrats, allowing the GOP to lose two votes and still win a majority on the floor.

The Republican margin would drop to one vote if the seat were filled, likely by another Democrat.

Turner served nearly three decades in the Texas House before becoming mayor of Houston. U.S. Rep. Hakeem Jeffries, the Democratic minority leader, brought up the delay on his social media on Tuesday: “Why hasn’t the Texas Governor called a special election to fill this vacant seat?”