HOUSTON, Texas– Governor Greg Abbott addressed the delay in calling a special election to fill the seat left vacant after the death of U.S. Representative Sylvester Turner.
Turner, who passed away on March 5, was serving Texas’ 18th Congressional District, a key Democratic area in Houston.
The responsibility to call a special election falls on Governor Abbott, who is not bound by state law to a specific deadline for announcing such an election.
The election, once announced, must take place within two months of the governor’s decision.
Governor Abbott recently posted a video on the social media platform X to explain his decision.
In the video, he cited Harris County’s history of election issues as a reason for the delay.
He expressed concern that a quick call for an election might result in further complications, referencing past electoral problems in the county.
Abbott emphasized the importance of allowing Harris County sufficient time to conduct a fair and accurate election, contrasting it with what he described as previous mismanaged elections in the area.