On Friday, July 19, Sheila Jackson Lee, a prominent progressive Democrat and federal congresswoman from Texas, passed away at the age of 74.
Jackson Lee’s family announced her passing on social media platform X on Friday, expressing their deep sorrow and gratitude for having shared their lives with her.
“Today, with immense sadness at losing her and deep gratitude for having lived alongside her, we announce the passing of Sheila Jackson Lee, Congresswoman for the 18th District of Texas,” her family said in a statement.
Last month, Jackson Lee disclosed that she was battling pancreatic cancer and undergoing treatment. She stated upon revealing the diagnosis, “The road ahead may not be smooth, but I firmly believe that God will give me strength.”
Jackson Lee was a graduate of Yale University and the University of Virginia School of Law. Since her election as the federal congresswoman for the 18th District of Texas in 1994, she had served for nearly 30 years, being re-elected for 15 terms. However, she lost in the Houston mayoral election last year to another Democrat, State Senator John Whitmire.
Following her defeat in the Houston election, Jackson Lee sought re-election for the congresswoman position for the 16th time. In March of this year, she triumphed over former Houston City Council member Amanda Edwards in a competitive Democratic primary. Unfortunately, she passed away before the congressional re-election.