BREAKING: Democrat Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee has passed away, rages against Trump in final posts

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Democrat Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee of Texas has died following a brief battle with pancreatic cancer, according to a statement released by her office late Friday night.

Lee, 74, had announced on June 2 that she had just been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, and was undergoing treatment.

She had served in U.S. Congress since January 1995. She made an unsuccessful run for mayor of Houston last year. After losing that race, Lee filed to run for re-election to her congressional seat and won the Democratic primary on March 5, 2024.

The statement from her office reads:

“Today, with deep grief for our loss yet deep gratitude for the life she shared with us, we announce the passing of United States Representative Sheila Jackson Lee of the 18th Congressional District of Texas.

“A fierce champion of the people, she was affectionately and simply known as ‘Congresswoman’ by her constituents in recognition of her near-ubiquitous presence and service to their daily lives for more than 30 years.

“A local, national, and international humanitarian, she was acknowledged worldwide for her courageous fights for racial justice, criminal justice, and human rights, with a special emphasis on women and children.

“Her legislative victories impacted millions, from establishing the Juneteenth Federal Holiday to reauthorizing the Violence Against Women Act. However, she impacted us most as our beloved wife, sister, mother, and Bebe (grandmother). She will be dearly missed, but her legacy will continue to inspire all who believe in freedom, justice, and democracy. God bless you Congresswoman and God bless the United States of America.

“Funeral arrangements are pending.”

Lee, or someone posting for her, appears to have been active on social media up until just hours before her death.

Late Thursday night and again on Friday, posts were made raging against former President Donald Trump’s RNC acceptance speech.

“This is the worst convention speech I have ever heard,” Lee fumed.

“I have no idea what Donald Trump was talking about last night. For more than an hour, he rambled and lied. He is unfit for the Presidency! Now, my friends, is the time to focus on beating him and his Project 2025 monstrosity. Enough is enough!” she wrote.

Thursday afternoon, Lee wrote, “My constituents and 14 million Americans voted for President Biden in this presidential primary — they did not waver, and neither will I. I am a representative of the people, and the people want to focus on beating Donald Trump and his outrageous Project 2025!”

Lee’s final post on X/Twitter was around noon on Friday, in which she wrote, “The time is now to unite behind the President and get to work beating Donald Trump — one last time.”

Tributes to Lee are being posted on social media, from both sides of the political aisle:

Former HUD director Ben Carson wrote, “Candy and I were saddened to learn of the passing of Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee. We have known her for decades, as she was Candy’s RA at Yale in the 70s. Although our political philosophies did not align, we are all children of God. We will be praying for her family.”

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott wrote, “Cecilia and I will forever remember Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee. She was a proud Texan and a tireless advocate for the people of Houston. Her legacy of public service and dedication to Texas will live on. Please join us in prayer for her family and loved ones.”

Multiple critics have also responded to the news of Lee’s death:

One social media user mockingly posted a video from April 8, 2024, when Lee make a number of incorrect statements about the moon and the sun while speaking to a group of high school students.

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