Texas Rep. Jolanda Jones is running for the seat left empty after the late Congressman Sylvester Turner’s death.
HOUSTON — Texas Rep. Jolanda Jones took to social media on Thursday to announce a bid for U.S. Congress.
“Running for Congress like I ran for gold on Team USA,” Jones’ post reads. “Same fire. Same fight. Same finish line. It’s time to do this.”
The announcement to run for Congress comes less than a week after the Texas Legislature’s 2025 regular session wrapped up on June 2.
“As many of you know, I deferred my decision about running for Congress until the end of the Texas Legislature’s session. I promised my constituents I would fight for them every day during the session – and I did exactly that,” the representative said on social media.
Jones is currently serving as a Texas state representative for the 147th District, which covers part of the Houston area.
“The simple fact is no one will fight harder to stop Republicans from taking away our social security, our public schools, our health care, our constitutional rights, and more,” Jones said.
Jones said she is running for the late Congressman Sylvester Turner’s seat in Texas’ 18th Congressional District, which covers a significant portion of the Houston area.
Turner died unexpectedly in March two months after taking the job held by longtime Congresswoman Sheila Jackson, who passed away in June 2024.
Gov. Greg Abbott has called for a special election to fill the seat left empty by Turner. That election is set for Nov. 4, 2025.
The deadline for candidates to file to run is Sept. 3. Three other candidates have already expressed interest in the race: Amanda Edwards, Isaiah Martin and Christian Menefee.