House seat is shaping up to be a competitive one, with two Democrats already throwing their hats in even though the date of the special election has yet to be called. Turner, who survived a battle with bone cancer in 2022,

Menefee’s resignation was triggered by the Texas Constitution, which bars local officials from seeking an office other than the one they hold.

Houston was the first U.S city to create a human trafficking and domestic violence prevention office. But its status in recent years has been unclear.

Sylvester Turner served as Houston mayor and in Congress after serving 27 years in the Texas House. He died March 4.

Services were held at the Church Without Walls, where the former mayor of Houston for eight years was a longtime member.