Dr. James Dixon Declares Candidacy for District 18 ‘Interim Seat’
Dr. James Dixon, the pastor of The Community of Faith Church and president of Houston’s branch of the NAACP, has finally shed some light on the question of who will step into the shoes of the late Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee as the U.S. Congressperson for the historic 18th District.
On August 9, at a press conference in Houston’s Fifth Ward, Dixon announced his intention to run for the “interim” District 18 seat, which will be filled through a special election called by Texas Governor Greg Abbott from November to January 3, 2025.
“I have decided to pursue the special election seat created by Governor Abbott to fulfill the remainder of Congresswoman Jackson Lee’s term that ends at the close of this year and transitions in late January,” Dixon stated. “There is urgent work that needs to be addressed, and I am committed to supporting that.”
Focus on the ‘Interim’ Seat
Dixon revealed that he chose to focus on the “interim” position after realizing that many of his long-time friends were also running for the same seat, leading to potential division within their community. He decided it was crucial to avoid unnecessary competition that could harm unity within their shared goals and values.
The upcoming November 5 election will determine Jackson Lee’s long-term successor, taking office on January 3, 2025.
Despite being considered a potential candidate for the full-term U.S. Congressional seat, Dixon emphasized his intention to only pursue the “interim” position, citing the importance of unity and avoiding internal conflicts.
Dixon Will Bow Out If…
However, Dixon made it clear that he would withdraw from the race for the interim seat if Congresswoman Jackson Lee’s daughter, Erica Lee Carter, decided to run, showing his dedication to family, unity, and respect for their shared values.
If Lee Carter opts not to run, Dixon is committed to moving forward in his quest for the interim seat to uphold the community’s interests.
Full-Term Seat Endorsement
When asked about endorsing a candidate for the full-term seat, Dixon expressed that he had yet to make a final decision, leaving room for unforeseen possibilities that may arise in the future based on the precinct chairs’ choices.
Dixon stressed the significance of allowing the democratic process to unfold naturally and not rushing to make decisions that could potentially harm the community’s cohesion and shared vision.
August 10 District 18 Candidates Forum
Dixon will participate in the District 18 Candidates Forum on August 10, alongside other potential candidates for either the interim or full-term District 18 seat. This forum aims to provide greater clarity to the 88 Harris County Democratic precinct chairs who will select the official Democratic candidate to run against Republican Lana Centonze on the November 5th ballot.
The forum, organized by the Southeast Democrats Network and the Black Women of Greater Houston PAC, will also be open to the general public, offering a unique opportunity to learn more about the candidates and their platforms.
Stay tuned for updates on the unfolding political landscape in Houston’s District 18!