Primary Department: Commissioner, Precinct 1
Primary Department Head/Elected Official: Rodney Ellis, Commissioner
Secondary Department: Choose an item.
Secondary Department Head/Elected Official:
Regular or Supplemental RCA: Regular RCA
Type of Request: Resolution
Project ID (if applicable): N/A
Vendor/Entity Legal Name (if applicable): N/A
MWBE Contracted Goal (if applicable): N/A
MWBE Current Participation (if applicable): N/A
Justification for 0% MWBE Participation Goal: N/A - Goal not applicable to request
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Justification for 0% Grant Indirect Costs Rate (if applicable): N/A - Not a grant item
Request Summary (Agenda Caption):
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Request by the Commissioner of Precinct 1 for approval of a resolution asking Governor Greg Abbott to immediately call the Special Election to fill the vacancy in the 18th Congressional District of Texas.
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Background and Discussion:
Congressman Sylvester Turner of the 18th Congressional District of Texas died unexpectedly on Tuesday, March 5, 2025 after serving two months of his first full-term in the United States House of Representatives. Governor Greg Abbott has not yet called a special election to fill the seat to return the Texas Congressional Delegation to full voting power and strength. Governor Abbott has the sole authority to call a special election to fill Turner's seat for the rest of the two-year term. State law does not specify a deadline for the governor to order a special election. If called, the election must happen within two months of the announcement.
Leaders in the Texas House have requested that Governor Abbott call the special election. Without a Congressional representative, nearly 800,000 Texans remain voiceless at a pivotal moment for the 18th Congressional district and the nation.
Expected Impact:
If a special election is called, voters in the 18th Congressional District of Texas will select the person to complete the remainder of The Honorable Sylvester Turner’s term and regain a voice and vote in the U.S. House. Harris County government will regain a federal partner to navigate federal funding and issues.
Alternative Options: The people of the 18th Congressional District remain without federal representation. Harris County has reduced access to federal resources and support in the United States Congress.
County Strategic Plan Goal: 1. Make Harris County safer and more just.
County Strategic Plan Objective: R: Enhance disaster preparedness, response, recovery, and resiliency.
Justice/Safety Initiative (Goal 1): Choose an item.
Infrastructure Initiative (Goal 2): Choose an item.
Economy Initiative (Goal 3): Choose an item.
Health Initiative (Goal 4): Choose an item.
Climate/Resilience Initiative (Goal 5): Choose an item.
Housing Initiative (Goal 6): Choose an item.
Additional notes related to the Strategic Plan: The United States Congress provides significant disaster recovery resources. Without full representation, Harris County may miss critical funding and support for ongoing disaster recovery.
Prior Court Action (if any): N/A
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Precinct(s): Countywide
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Anticipated Court Date: 4/10/2025
Anticipated Implementation Date (if different from Court date): Click or tap to enter a date.
Emergency/Disaster Recovery Note: Not an emergency, disaster, or COVID-19 related item
Contact(s) name, title, department: Erica Lee Carter, Policy Director
Attachments (if applicable): Resolution to be submitted separately