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‘Houston 19’ Black Female Candidates Sweep to Historic Victory in Judicial Races

Posted byBy Tia Berger | Published on: CommentsComments (0)

A photo of 19 Black female candidates in Harris County, Texas, who ran for judicial seats went viral after they made history.

The group of women who are being called the “Houston 19” all won local judicial races in Houston on Tuesday. All 19 women winning marked a huge victory for Black women in Harris County, the third-largest county in the United States.

Harris County

(photo credit: Harris Black Girl Magic)

One of the 19 women who was elected, LaShawn Williams, announced the historical aspect of their electoral races on Facebook in August.

“I’ve waited for the reveal of this photo of 19 judicial candidates for several weeks — 19 Black women running for judge in Harris County, Houston, TX,” Williams wrote. “This entire time I’ve thought of what I’d say the day we were able to share this moment in history with everyone. But really I’m humbled. Never did I imagine that the day I decided to run to be judge, I’d become a part of a club of phenomenal Black women, sisters-in-law, gifted, brilliant, strong — everything I hope to be! It is with great pride and excitement that I share this ‘Black Girl Magic’ with you! Congratulations – you are truly black girl magic!”

Despite Republican incumbent Ted Cruz turning back the challenge of Democrat Beto O’Rourke in the Texas Senate race in Tuesday’s midterm election, there were other major wins to be celebrated in Texas.

Congratulations to the 19 elected winners who were elected by double digits: Sandra Peake, Maria Jackson, Judge Ramona Franklin, Germaine Tanner, Angela Graves-Harrington, Cassandra Holleman, Tonya Jones, Dedra Davis, LaShawn A. Williams, Latosha Lewis Payne, Linda M. Dunson, Toria J. Finch, Erica Hughes, Lucia G. Bates, Ronnisha Bowman, Michelle Moore, Sharon Burney, Shannon Baldwin and Lori Chambers Gray.

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