'Pass the baton': Sheila Jackson Lee mocked as she files for re-election after Houston mayoral loss

HOUSTON, TEXAS: Rep Sheila Jackson Lee (D-Texas) was brutally mocked on the internet after she filed to run for re-election to her House seat, just two days after she lost her bid to become Houston’s next mayor.

in a statement issued on Monday, December 11, 2023, Jackson Lee declared her decision to run for office, stating that she is "compelled by the numerous opportunities still ahead to enhance the lives of my constituents."

“I thought about the many more gifts I have to give to my constituents of the 18th Congressional District,” she said in a post on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter.

“Those gifts involve more hard work and my ability to get the job done! Together, let’s build on the progress we’ve achieved and work towards an even brighter future for all,” the statement continued.

According to the Houston Chronicle, Jackson Lee submitted her application on Sunday night to seek re-election to the 18th congressional district in Texas, which she has represented since 1995.

Following the filling, Jackson Lee will compete in what is anticipated to be a fierce primary campaign against fellow Democrat Amanda Edwards, who was once Lee's office intern.

Sheila Jackson Lee’s landslide mayoral defeat

Sheila Jackson Lee’s re-election campaign came just two days after lost her bid to become Houston’s mayor by a margin of 65% to 34% against John Whitmire, Fox News reported.

Lee, who was endorsed for mayor by former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, was seen as a less-than-ideal candidate after the scandal caused by the leaked recording that questioned her staff management approach, which may have contributed to her dismal showing in the election.

Additionally, she became the subject of jeers when she urged her followers to vote on the incorrect day, advising them to do so by December 7, two days before the runoff election date.

In her concession speech, she expressed gratitude to the voters, congratulated Whitmore, and pledged to collaborate with him.

She stated, "I commit to working with him because, as I observed the city and listened to all of you, I believe that our ideas can propel this city into the future, as I have consistently emphasized."

Internet reacts to Jackson Lee’s re-election campaign

Jackson Lee found herself in the middle of brutal social media mockery after news of her re-election campaign surfaced. “Has she heard of retirement? Must she hold elected office?” one user trolled.

“No one really likes Jackson…how old is that hair style?! Berated her staff, right?!” another user slammed.

“She has no skills to do something in the actual real world, so she must remain in politics to keep sucking off the teet of the taxpayer. #fraud,” one wrote.

“Great to have a fallback that she can continue failing at,” the fourth user wrote, while the fifth one said, “No surprise. It’s not like Sheila could get a real job anywhere.”

“Sadly, I live in your district, and you don't have my vote or that of my family now or ever,” another user declared.

“This is why we don’t have more young people vying for leadership opportunities. Time to pass the baton,” one more wrote.

This article contains remarks made on the Internet by individual people and organizations. MEAWW cannot confirm them independently and does not support claims or opinions being made online.