Houston Mayoral Candidate Sheila Jackson Lee Faces Backlash for Allegedly Berating Staff in Leaked Audio

Leaked audio showcases mayoral candidate and long-term Texas Representative allegedly using abusive language towards staff members, campaigns labels release as "low-handed political tactic" from conservative sources backing challenger John Whitmire.

Audio recordings have surfaced allegedly showing mayoral candidate and Texas Representative Sheila Jackson Lee berating her staff members using abusive language. The audio was first posted by a right-leaning Texas news site, Current Revolt, and includes expletive-laden insults directed towards the staffers.
The tapes allegedly capture Jackson Lee referring to one staffer as a "fat ass stupid idiot" and hurling numerous other insults. The conversation was primarily about scheduling, especially the inclusion of an event with nonprofit Black Heritage Society founder, Ovide Duncantell.
Jackson Lee's campaign has labeled the audio release as a "low-handed political tactic" being propagated by blogs and political opponents who support Democratic Texas state Sen. John Whitmire, her main challenger in the Houston mayoral race.
This is not the first time Jackson Lee has encountered staff mistreatment allegations. In 2011, several former staff members accused her of using demeaning language and name-calling. She was also reported to have made staff work long hours and driven her everywhere, regardless of distance.
Previously, Jackson Lee resigned as chairwoman of the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation (CBCF) in 2019 following a lawsuit from a former employee who claimed termination was a retaliation for planned legal action over an alleged 2015 rape by a supervisor.