Mayor Turner
H-Town’s African American community has lost two powerful elected officials in a nine-month period. That is said.
I met former Mayor Sylvester Turner 37 years ago. Then State Rep. Clint Hackney decided not to seek reelection to the Texas House of Representatives and Sylvester decided to run for the open seat. Sylvester had run unsuccessfully for Harris County Commissioner in the 1984 Democratic Party Primary, losing to El Franco Lee. As I recall, my best friend, then State Rep. Al Luna suggested to Sylvester that he reach out to me. I was still living in Austin after serving under the Gov. Mark White administration.
I came down to H-Town and met with Sylvester and agreed to help him out. I set up a day-long schedule of meetings in Austin for Sylvester with key players and interest groups. He impressed them all.
We designed his push card for his 1988 primary race. 1988 was also the first year Texas participated in the Super Tuesday presidential primary, and things got a bit hectic for me. Unfortunately, I could not devote the time required to continue helping Sylvester, so we amicably parted ways.
Sylvester was elected.
In 1991, Sylvester decided to run for mayor. By then, I was already working for Bob Lanier’s campaign. Sylvester ran a good campaign and made the runoff against Lanier. We all know what happened in the runoff. The ABC Channel 13 investigative stories on Sylvester help derail his runoff bid.
Sylvester sued Channel 13, and I ended up being a witness during the trial and pretty much pi__ed off a lot of Lanier supporters. I really didn’t give a rat’s arse.
His 1991 campaign was a clear signal that Sylvester would be a force in H-Town politics for decades to come
In 2003, Sylvester ran for mayor again and this time I helped him out. He really didn’t have the resources to conduct the race needed to make a runoff and he came in third place behind Bill White and Orlando Sanchez.
In 2015, a fully funded Sylvester Turner edged Bill King in the runoff. I helped King.
Sylvester was a great campaigner. I don’t need to tell you about his oratory excellence. One of the best in H-Town, like ever. Right up there with the great former Cong. Barbara Jordan. He also had a great mind.
I worked for him and against him. I didn’t take it personally and neither did he. I remember during the 2015 campaign we happen to be at an event together standing alone off to the side and he said, “I wish we were on the same side.” Those words will always stay with me.
He was the consummate devoted public servant.
I didn’t always agree with some of his policies during his administration at City Hall. He was elected and reelected and certainly entitled to put forward policies he believed were in the best interest of Houstonians.
I wasn’t a big fan of his decision to seek the Democratic Party nomination for Congress in the 18th District of Texas. I thought we needed a fresh face. I live in the 18th Congressional District.
We will now have a special election to fill the vacancy. If we elect someone before July 19, 2025, the 18th District will have four members to serve during a 12-month period.
Gov. Greg Abbott should call a special election for May 3, 2025. The folks over at the County are already preparing for local elections on that day. Abbott likes to come across as a tough Texan. Well, a tough Texan would call a May 3 election. If Abbott is letting himself be persuaded by those that don’t want to fill a seat a Democrat will likely win, then he is nothing more than a MAGA tool.
Call the election for May 3.
I have addressed this issue before. When is it okay to start talking about candidates to fill a vacancy after the passing of an officeholder. One would be naïve think that there would be a moratorium of sorts. Believe me, folks are already lining up support.
The featured photo is today’s Chron front page.
This has to be the most chicken sh_t tweet that came out yesterday:
WalkandRollHouston @walkrollhouston
We are saddened by @SylvesterTurner’s passing. We are indebted to his leadership as Mayor to transform Houston into a city where we can walk and roll, safely and easily, as we need. We wish the current Mayor would learn from his leadership.
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The Alamo fell 189 years ago today. Remember the Alamo!
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Opening Day is three weeks from today.
