Veteran Texas Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee urged her supporters to unite behind President Biden just hours before his passing.
The 15-term Democrat died Friday at age 74 after a battle with pancreatic cancer that she disclosed in June.
Hours before his family revealed his passing, Jackson Lee took to X to share his support for Biden as a growing number of his congressional colleagues call for him to drop out of the race.
“Now is the time to unite behind the president and get to work to defeat Donald Trump, one last time,” he wrote.
Some called on Democrats to unite behind Biden on Jackson Lee’s “last wish,” urging the fractured party to “honor” her by supporting her faltering re-election campaign.
The family of Texas Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee announced her death on Friday at age 74.
Jackson Lee has been an outspoken supporter of President Biden and earlier this year shared a smiling selfie of them together where he said he was “well prepared to lead this nation.”
Hours before his family revealed his passing, Jackson Lee took to X to share his support for Biden as a growing number of his congressional colleagues call for him to step down.
Jackson Lee was known throughout her 30-year congressional career as a champion of progressive causes and served on the House Judiciary, Homeland Security and Budget Committees.
In a statement announcing her death this week, Jackson Lee’s family described her as a “fierce advocate for the people.”
His support for Biden was far from limited to his latest tweet; Jackson Lee had previously said that “there is no greater leadership for this country.”
In March, she shared a smiling selfie with the 81-year-old in Congress, where she also singled out Vice President Kamala Harris (now seen as Biden’s likely successor if he steps aside) as “well prepared to lead this nation.”
“In particular, Vice President Harris has shown us that she can lead internationally and can also be a fighter for women’s rights and reproductive rights,” she wrote.
Jackson Lee’s final tweet urged people to “unite behind the President and get to work to defeat Donald Trump, one last time.”
“How extraordinary was her quiet and important visit to Planned Parenthood, the first time a president or vice president had made such a historic visit! She showed patients and leaders that she was there to serve them.
‘Let’s fight for the re-election of Joe Biden and Kamala Harris to the Presidency and Vice Presidency of the United States of America!’
‘There is no greater leader for this country! The nation needs to unite and elect them in large numbers. I will work hard across the country to achieve their victory!’
Jackson Lee was born in Queens, New York, and attended Yale University and the University of Virginia School of Law.
The 15-term congresswoman was an outspoken advocate for African Americans for decades.
First elected in 1994, Jackson Lee’s family said in their statement announcing her death that she became a beloved figure in her community after being re-elected 14 times.
“Her constituents knew her affectionately and simply as ‘Congresswoman’ in recognition of her near-ubiquitous presence and service to their daily lives for more than 30 years,” the statement read.
‘She was a local, national and international humanitarian, recognized worldwide for her courageous struggles for racial justice, criminal justice and human rights, with a special emphasis on women and children.’
The statement lists her legislative victories, including establishing Juneteenth as a federal holiday and reauthorizing the Violence Against Women Act.
When he announced his battle with cancer earlier this year, Jackson Lee warned his constituents that he would likely be “occasionally absent” from Congress while undergoing treatment.
“My doctors have confirmed my diagnosis of pancreatic cancer. I am currently receiving treatment to combat this disease that affects tens of thousands of Americans each year,” Jackson Lee said in a statement in June.
“I am confident that my doctors have developed the best possible plan to treat my specific illness. The road ahead will not be easy, but I have faith that God will strengthen me.”