Clinton doubles down on supporting Jackson Lee’s mayoral bid
Former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton reaffirmed her support for U.S. Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee’s mayoral bid Friday, arguing that the congresswoman’s bold style, though jarring for some, is proof of strong leadership.
Following the leak of an alleged recording that rattled Jackson Lee’s campaign, a number of female political and community leaders spoke up for the congresswoman at a rally Friday morning in Southwest Houston. Among them were Clinton and Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo, both doubling down on the need to elect Jackson Lee as Houston’s next mayor.
Clinton, who called Jackson Lee a friend, endorsed the congresswoman’s run for mayor earlier this month. On Friday, she praised Jackson Lee as a “tireless champion” for affordable health care, criminal justice reforms and infrastructure improvement.
Jackson Lee’s advocacy on these issues “does make some people uncomfortable,” Clinton said. “But it’s that discomfort that actually makes it clear she’s fighting for you and not for folks who already have everything that they need.”
Jackson Lee recently found herself at the center of a major controversy after an anonymous source leaked an unverified recording of Jackson Lee allegedly berating a staffer in a profanity-laced rant. Jackson Lee did not confirm the voice in the recording was hers but expressed regret over any pain it might have caused.
Hidalgo was one of the first public figures who came to Jackson Lee’s defense following the release of the alleged recording. At the Friday rally, she said powerful women are often unfairly “caricatured” and urged the public to look past such portrayals.
She herself has recently “been through the wringer,” Hidalgo said. Last month, five people filed a lawsuit in Harris County District Court seeking to remove Hidalgo from office following her two-month leave for inpatient mental health treatment.
The county judge also took aim at Jackson Lee’s main opponent, state Sen. John Whitmire, during her speech. She said he is not a real Democrat, pointing out that he shares some of the same conservative donors as Alexandra del Moral Mealer, the Republican candidate who unsuccessfully challenged Hidalgo in last year’s election.
Whitmire has so far received over $50,000 from donors who helped bankroll Mealer’s campaign in 2022. His campaign spokeswoman, Sue Davis, declined to comment on Hidalgo’s speech Friday. Whitmire has previously dismissed this line of attack, calling it politically motivated.
Clinton on Friday compared Hidalgo to Jackson
Lee, saying both women officeholders share progressive-leaning politics. She noted Hidalgo’s election to Harris County judge was also a shock to many and drew sharp criticisms from opponents, but constituents eventually approved her by re-electing her.
“That’s what we need to be doing for Sheila,” Clinton said.
Jackson Lee has maintained a decadeslong friendship with the Clinton family. The two women first bonded over their daughters, who were born the same year, Jackson Lee said. Then, during the 2008 Democratic Party presidential primaries, Jackson Lee endorsed Clinton over former President Barack Obama, a highly unpopular decision with many in her party at the time. Jackson
Lee said she did not regret standing by Clinton.
As “tenacious and determined” women leaders, Jackson Lee said Friday, “sometimes we … get called things that do not characterize what we’re fighting for.”
“I am a member who has seen the city and its needs,” Jackson Lee added. “And every time the city has needed (anything), Sheila Jackson Lee has been there.”