{"id":2420173,"date":"2025-04-04T21:09:02","date_gmt":"2025-04-05T01:09:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/abbott-delays-blue-districts-special-election-citing-logistical-challenges-washington-examiner\/"},"modified":"2025-04-04T21:10:40","modified_gmt":"2025-04-05T01:10:40","slug":"abbott-delays-blue-districts-special-election-citing-logistical-challenges-washington-examiner","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/abbott-delays-blue-districts-special-election-citing-logistical-challenges-washington-examiner\/","title":{"rendered":"Abbott delays blue district\u2019s special election, citing logistical challenges &#8211; Washington Examiner"},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class=\"mashsb-container mashsb-main mashsb-stretched\"><div class=\"mashsb-box\"><div class=\"mashsb-count mash-medium\" style=\"float:left\"><div class=\"counts mashsbcount\">24<\/div><span class=\"mashsb-sharetext\">SHARES<\/span><\/div><div class=\"mashsb-buttons\"><a class=\"mashicon-facebook mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservativenewsdaily.net%2Fbreaking-news%2Fabbott-delays-blue-districts-special-election-citing-logistical-challenges-washington-examiner%2F\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Facebook<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-twitter mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=&amp;url=https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=2420173&amp;via=ConservNewsDly\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Twitter<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-subscribe mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"#\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Subscribe<\/span><\/a><div class=\"onoffswitch2 mash-medium mashsb-noshadow\" style=\"display:none\"><\/div><\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                <div style=\"clear:both\"><\/div><\/aside>\n            <!-- Share buttons by mashshare.net - Version: 4.0.47--><p>Texas Governor Greg Abbott has delayed calling a special election to fill the seat of the late Rep. Sylvester Turner in Texas&#8217;s 18th Congressional District, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/biden-reduces-support-for-s-arabia-in-another-boon-to-iran\/\" title=\"Biden reduces support for S. Arabia in another boon to Iran\">citing concerns<\/a> over Harris County&#8217;s election management capabilities.The seat has been vacant for nearly a month since Turner\u2019s death on March 5. Abbott criticized Harris County&#8217;s past performance in handling elections and stated that he wants to ensure a fair and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/elections-department-sends-out-wrong-ballots-to-undetermined-number-of-voters\/\" title=\"...s Department Sends Out Wrong Ballots to &#039;Undetermined Number of Voters&#039;\">accurate election process<\/a> before announcing a date. In response, Harris County officials defended their election management track record, claiming they are prepared to conduct the election whenever it is indeed called. The governor&#8217;s decision has faced backlash from Democratic leaders who suggest the delay is a strategy to maintain a Republican majority in Congress, with some considering legal action against him. Abbott&#8217;s previous handling of a special election for another seat in the same district has been contrasted with the current delay.  <\/p>\n<p class=\"readmore\">\n    <button onclick=\"showReadMore()\" id=\"readmorebtn\">Read more&#8230;<\/button>\n<\/p>\n<hr id=\"line\">\n<span id=\"more\"><\/p>\n<p><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><\/p>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-button\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-icon td-icon-mobile\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-header-search-button-mob dropdown-toggle\" data-toggle=\"dropdown\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-search-icon td-icon-search\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-button\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-icon td-icon-mobile\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<div class=\"tdb-drop-down-search\" aria-labelledby=\"td-header-search-button\">\n<div class=\"tdb-drop-down-search-inner\">\n<form method=\"get\" class=\"tdb-search-form\" action=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/\"><\/form>\n<div class=\"tdb-aj-search\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/#\" role=\"button\" aria-label=\"Search\" class=\"tdb-head-search-btn dropdown-toggle\" data-toggle=\"dropdown\"><i class=\"tdb-search-icon td-icon-search\"><\/i><\/a><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<h1 class=\"tdb-title-text\">Abbott delays blue district&rsquo;s special election, citing logistical challenges<\/h1>\n<div><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-title-line\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<div id=\"Brid_2083658\" class=\"tpd-featured-video bridtv\"><\/div>\n<p>Gov. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/greg-abbott\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">Greg Abbott<\/a> (R-TX) has yet to call a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/special-elections\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">special election<\/a> to fill recently deceased Democratic <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/house\/3337836\/house-democrat-sylvester-turner-dies-at-70\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">Rep. Sylvester Turner&rsquo;s<\/a> seat in Texas&rsquo;s 18th Congressional District.<\/p>\n<p>He blamed Harris County&rsquo;s abilities in conducting elections for his delay in announcing an election for the seat, which has been vacant for nearly a month since Turner died on March 5.<\/p>\n<div class=\"recommended-stories\">\n<h2>Recommended Stories<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/congressional\/3370622\/aoc-schumer-polling-new-york-senate-primary-2028\/\">AOC takes early lead over Schumer in New York Senate Democratic primary: Poll<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/congressional\/3370062\/tariffs-test-congressional-gop-faith-trump\/\">Tariffs test congressional GOP&#8217;s faith in Trump<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/congressional\/3369827\/2026-midterm-elections-taking-shape-democrats-look-end-gop-trifecta\/\">2026 midterm elections begin to take shape as Democrats look to break up GOP trifecta<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"article-paywall\">\n<p>&ldquo;Listen, there&rsquo;s gonna be time to do it,&rdquo; Abbott said in an interview with&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/cw39.com\/news\/texas\/gov-abbott-said-harris-county-needs-more-time-before-calling-special-election-to-fill-vacant-u-s-house-seat\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Nexstar Media Group<\/a>. &ldquo;Know this, that election is in Harris County and Harris County is a repeat failure as it concerns operating elections. Had I called that very quickly, it could have led to a failure in that election just like Harris County has failed in other elections. They need to have adequate time to operate a fair and accurate election, not a crazy election like what they&rsquo;ve conducted in the past.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;I will be announcing that sometime soon, but I wanna make sure that Harris County has all the opportunity to get this right, unlike what they&rsquo;ve done in the past,&rdquo; he added.<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-media-max-width=\"560\">\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">People have asked why I did not immediately call to fill the late Rep. Sylvester Turner&rsquo;s seat. Here is why: <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/ngl8PHCe1P\">pic.twitter.com\/ngl8PHCe1P<\/a><\/p>\n<p>&mdash; Greg Abbott (@GregAbbott_TX) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/GregAbbott_TX\/status\/1908255272247677414?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">April 4, 2025<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p> <script data-cfasync=\"false\" src=\"http:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/cdn-cgi\/scripts\/5c5dd728\/cloudflare-static\/email-decode.min.js\"><\/script><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script>    <\/p>\n<p>The Harris County clerk disputed that the county has had election failures. &ldquo;Since the Texas Legislature returned election administration duties to the Harris County Clerk&rsquo;s Office on September 1, 2023, my office has successfully conducted eight elections &mdash; including the <a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/3YuVZYV\">2024 joint primary election &#038;mdash<\/a>; in collaboration with key stakeholders such as the Texas Secretary of State&rsquo;s Office, the Harris County Republican and Democratic parties, Commissioners Court, and others,&rdquo; a&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/HarrisCoTXClerk\/posts\/pfbid02SSCidudaXgjgfv4SpnuQW6RrAwL5fWh2NrSF8NJNaVgzekDMdkQNGf5VyEpd6qTGl?__cft__%5B0%5D=AZX_xQ8uduswMACOTrQjYwPfU2jnvTTRBQ8A7NeaqpTz_D4nkdNCQPMtUJj6jlr68huP5hdOKw_7IbOgSzOC10OilPHDT3FMFKx7deOxUWTdxDd9qjvlrwJALGsz_cecMJ1dd90u6wZXacibZy-lmOtto7jpQ0DkVlHF06Bk0xpBbQ&amp;__tn__=%252CO%252CP-R\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">statement by clerk Teneshia Hudspeth says<\/a>. &ldquo;We remain fully prepared to conduct the Congressional District 18 election as soon as the Governor issues the order.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p>Abbott took two weeks to set a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/kamala-harris-promises-to-campaign-for-gavin-newsom-amid-recall-effort\/\" title=\"Kamala Harris Promises To Campaign For Gavin Newsom Amid Recall Effort\">special election date<\/a> after the death of Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee, who also represented Texas&rsquo;s 18th District. He set the special election for Nov. 5, the same day as the general election.<\/p>\n<p>The Texas governor won&rsquo;t have the opportunity to line up the special election with a general election this time, with the midterms still about a year and a half away.<\/p>\n<p>House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY) <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nbcnews.com\/politics\/congress\/hakeem-jeffries-threatens-lawsuit-delayed-texas-special-election-rcna199362\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">believes<\/a> Abbott is delaying the special election on purpose and says it is &ldquo;very likely&rdquo; they will sue him over the delay. Texas Democratic Party Chairman Kendall Scudder matched Jeffries, saying Abbott would have to &ldquo;lawyer up&rdquo; if he didn&rsquo;t call an election.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/white-house\/3315975\/doge-doing-across-federal-government\/\"><strong>TRACKING WHAT DOGE IS DOING ACROSS THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n<p>Christian Menefee, the Harris County attorney who has announced his intent to run for the seat, called the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/the-real-winner-of-last-nights-debate-was-gavin-newsom\/\" title=\"The Real Winner Of Last Night\u2019s Debate Was Gavin Newsom\">governor&#038;rsquo<\/a>;s statement &ldquo;nonsense&rdquo; and said the delay is about &ldquo;helping Republicans maintain a narrow majority in Congress.&rdquo; Republicans currently have a majority of seven, with 220 seats compared to Democrats 213. The two vacant seats were held by Democrats.<\/p>\n<p>Menefee suggested June or July as suitable months for the election, and added that &ldquo;democracy delayed is democracy denied.&rdquo; If elected, Menefee would be decades younger than either Turner or Lee on their last day in office.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p> <script>!function(){var g=window;g.googletag=g.googletag||{},g.googletag.cmd=g.googletag.cmd||[],g.googletag.cmd.push(function(){g.googletag.pubads().setTargeting(\"has-featured-video\",\"true\")})}();<\/script><script>var _bp=_bp||[];_bp.push({\"div\":\"Brid_2083658\",\"obj\":{\"id\":\"27789\",\"width\":\"1280\",\"height\":\"720\",\"stickyDirection\":\"below\",\"video\":\"2083658\"}});<\/script><script defer src=\"https:\/\/services.brid.tv\/player\/build\/brid.min.js\"><\/script><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<p><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Abbott postpones special election for Turner\u2019s seat, citing issues<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":2420174,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mo_disable_npp":"","fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/Greg-Abbott.webp","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[],"tags":[3697,52892,52893,37103,32076],"class_list":["post-2420173","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","tag-abbott","tag-blue-districts","tag-logistical-challenges","tag-special-election","tag-washington-examiner"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/Greg-Abbott.webp","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2420173","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2420173"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2420173\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2420177,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2420173\/revisions\/2420177"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2420174"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2420173"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2420173"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2420173"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}