Austin (KXan)- Texas representative Goland Jones On Monday, she announced its campaign to Congress, seeking to fill the seat left by the vacant death of Representative Sylvester Turner earlier this year.
Houston Democrat becomes the last candidate to enter what has become a competitive race for the eighteenth Congress, where he joined the Harris Christian Minive province’s lawyer, former Houston City Council member Amanda Edwards, Energy Executive Kadi ZoeReal estate broker Peter FairCommunity lawyer Robert Salter And independent candidates Rina Anderson And Chance Davis.
Jones confirmed her commitment to protecting federal programs and constitutional freedoms in launching her campaign, as she put herself as an experienced defender ready to confront Republican policy initiatives in Washington.
On November 4, Special Elections will be determined by Turner’s replacement in a region that is safely considered democratic. Turner died in March After spending only two months from his first term. Representative Sheila Jackson has occupied the seat before her death in 2024.
The governor of the state, Greg Abbott, criticized the Democrats to wait for the special elections to schedule until the date of the unified elections in November, leaving the boycott without representation for nine months. However, the extended schedule of Jones allowed the completion of the legislative session before launching her campaign in Congress, where she pledged to focus on her duties in the House of Representatives until the session ended.
Mennie criticized the ruler’s decision, saying that “it is unreasonable to leave nearly 800,000 people in this province without representation in the Congress for most of the year.”
Abbott defended the schedule, pointing to concerns about the capabilities of the election administration in Harris Province, although the provincial officials opposed his description of elections.
Political experience
Jones brings a variety of government experience to the Congress race. I represented House 147 area in the government building Since winning the elections in 2022, it has worked on criminal justice, health policy and re -dividing the departments.
Before her legislative service, Jones spent four years in the Houston City Council, which represents a great position from 2008-2012. She also worked in the Houston Independent County School Council.
The veteran lawyer waited until the end of the legislative session to announce her campaign in Congress, noting her responsibility towards the current voters in the House of Representatives.
Its legal practice extends for more than two decades, during which she worked on high -level cases, including efforts to reform the Houston Police Crime Laboratory after problems dealing with evidence.
Politics platform
In Congress, Jones said it would give priority to defending social programs, including social security and medical care of possible discounts. It also plans to call for access to health care and restoring reproductive rights.
The candidate confirmed her long -term invitation to the independence of women’s health care and pledged to work to reflect the restrictions of federal abortion.
It will also receive the protection of the benefits of old warriors and education financing also focusing under its agenda in Congress, as well as the infrastructure of the Houston region.
Competitive field
Many Democrats have already launched seat campaigns:
Harris County Lawyer Christian Mini I entered the race first, and got support from former Congress candidates Colin Alrad and Beto Uruk. Lee’s daughter, Erica Li Carter, heads his campaign.
Former city council member Amanda Edwards It brings the municipal government’s experience and the leadership of the private sector as the head of a consulting company. Houston’s technological innovation initiatives were led during its work period and maintained the participation of the extensive non -profit board.
Zoe Cadore Zoe Cadore After working as a director of federal affairs for Calpine Corporation. Its background includes political work with the American Institute of Petroleum and participating in the management of the mayor of Turner.
Peter Fair, a real estate professional in environmental science training, provides experience in the field of forests in urban areas and Texas adopting data.
Robert Salter is carrying out economic activation and improving public safety, and fees for personal experiences that have been established in the deprived Houston societies.
Independent candidates Chinese Davis and Rina Anderson, who runs under the name of the “other” party, is around the stadium.
District shares
The eighteenth region includes some of the most active societies in Houston and acts as a decisive democratic stronghold in Texas. With the presence of Republicans with a narrow majority in the House of Representatives, the preservation of the seat is still important for democratic legislative priorities.
The completed vacant function was left without representation during the main congressional discussions on federal spending and policy initiatives.
Jones’s nomination adds legislative experience at the state level to a field dominated by veterans in the local government and professionals in the private sector, which may attract voters who seek Austin’s contacts with federal advocacy.