March 2, 2024
Michael Eric Dyson Endorses Dem Candidate In Bid To Unseat Long-Serving Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee
Renown professor Michael Eric Dyson Backs Amanda Edwards.
Democratic candidate for Texas’ 18th Congressional District Amanda Edwards has garnered support from author and professor Michael Eric Dyson in her campaign to unseat long-serving Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee.
The author of Unequal: A Story of America posted an endorsement video on Twitter/X, pushing voters to vote for Edwards as the district’s next congressperson in the March 5 primary. In under a minute, Dyson broke down why he feels Edwards is the best candidate for the job.
“I am enthusiastically endorsing Amanda Edwards as the next congressperson from the 18th district of Texas,” he said. “Why? Because she is a woman of character. Why? Because she is a woman of conscience. Why? Because she is a woman of consistency.”
The former Houston City Councilwoman hopes to unseat Jackson Lee, who has held the position for 30 years. Edwards, 42, once announced she was running for Houston mayor, until the congresswoman made her own unsuccessful move into mayoral territory. Following that decision, the former intern for Jackson Lee endorsed her former boss and focused on a bid for Congress.
Since making her congressional announcement, Edwards has made minimal reference to her opponent but has made it clear that she is all about results for the people she hopes to serve. “This race is not about me or Congresswoman Jackson Lee,” Edwards said during a speech at Messiah Lutheran Church. “It’s about you getting the results that you deserve.”
Dyson, currently a professor in the College of Arts and Science and in the Divinity School at Vanderbilt University, touched on the issues he feels Edwards will address if elected. Knowing her since her days as a Harvard Law School student, Dyson called Edwards “a remarkable politician” who will give voters her all. “She is concerned about healthcare, about housing, about educational advance, about economic opportunity,” Dyson said.
“Give her your vote and in return she will give you her very lifeblood.”
Some analysts already predict that Edwards will be heading to Washington. Baker Institute fellow in political science at Rice University, Mark Jones, thinks 2024 is Jackson Lee’s last year. “This could be the year that Congresswoman Jackson Lee loses,” Jones said. “And given that as a safe, Democratic, seat whoever wins the primary will be headed to Washington in January of 2025.”
Jackson Lee holds a slight five-point lead over Edwards – 43% to 38% – while 16% of voters are still undecided. Still, having to face off against fellow primary Democratic candidate Robert Slater Jr., there will be a runoff election in May if no candidate receives a majority of votes.
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