Sheila Jackson Lee, a Houston Democrat who was one of the longest-serving members of Texas’ Congressional delegation and a longtime advocate for progressive causes, died on Friday amid her battle with pancreatic cancer. She was 74.
Jackson Lee began her congressional career as an underdog, defeating four-term U.S. Rep. Craig Washington in the 1994 Democratic primary, before establishing herself as a fixture in Congress and Houston with ties to the highest reaches of the Democratic Party.
Jackson Lee was a progressive fixture on Capitol Hill for decades.
She was an early opponent of the Iraq War and an advocate for gay rights. In 2021, Jackson Lee was arrested for civil disobedience over a federal voting rights bill. By her death, she was a senior House Judiciary, Homeland Security and Budget committee member. She never shied from speaking on the House floor or before the cameras on causes she cared about.
She was also a household name in the 18th Congressional District, which includes Downtown Houston. She was known for her frequent visibility at constituent graduations, funerals, and baby showers.
She helped lead federal efforts to protect women from domestic violence and recognize Juneteenth as a national holiday.
