Sheila Jackson Lee
| Sheila Jackson Lee | |
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| Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Texas's 18th district |
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Assumed office January 3, 1995 |
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| Preceded by | Craig Washington |
| Member of the Houston City Council from the At-large #4 District | |
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In office January 2, 1990 – January 3, 1995 |
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| Preceded by | Anthony Hall |
| Succeeded by | John Peavy |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
Sheila Jackson January 12, 1950 Queens, New York |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Spouse(s) | Elwyn C. Lee |
| Children | 2 |
| Residence | Houston, Texas |
| Alma mater |
Yale University University of Virginia Law School |
| Profession | Attorney, Judge |
| Religion | Seventh-day Adventist |
| Website | jacksonlee.house.gov |
Sheila Jackson Lee (born January 12, 1950) is an American politician. She is currently the U.S. Representative for Texas's 18th congressional district, serving since 1995. The district includes most of inner-city Houston. She is a member of the Democratic Party.
Jackson Lee was born Sheila Jackson in Queens, New York. She graduated from Jamaica High School in Queens. She earned a B.A. in political science from Yale University in 1972, followed by a J.D. from the University of Virginia School of Law in 1975. She is a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority.
Jackson Lee made three unsuccessful attempts at local judgeships before becoming a municipal judge from 1987 to 1990. Jackson Lee, along with Sylvia Garcia, was appointed by then Mayor of Houston Kathy Whitmire. In 1989 she won the at-large position for a seat on the Houston City Council, serving until 1994. While on the city council, Jackson Lee helped pass a safety ordinance that required parents to keep their guns away from children. She also worked for expanded summer hours at city parks and recreation centers as a way to combat gang violence.
In 1994, Jackson Lee challenged four-term incumbent U.S. Congressman Craig Washington in the Democratic primary. Washington had come under fire for opposing several projects that would have benefited the Houston area. Jackson Lee defeated Washington in a rout, taking 63% to Washington's 37%. The victory was tantamount to election in this heavily Democratic, black-majority district. In the general election, she defeated Republican nominee Jerry Burley 73%-24%.
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