- The clip allegedly shows Sheila Jackson Lee’s response to an official regarding a document regarding Ovid Duncantell
- Duncantell, who died aged 82 in 2018, was heavily involved in city politics
- The woman in the clip can be heard lashing out at the employee after he and another failed to tell her when and where an event would be held in his honor
Democratic Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee allegedly lashed out at members of her staff, a tirade that was reportedly captured on audio that is now being circulated.
The leaked clip, posted by far-right Texas blog Current Revolt, has not been verified but is said to show the Houston mayoral hopeful’s profanity-laced response to an official about a document about Ovid Duncantell.
Duncantell, who died aged 82 in 2018, was a founding member of the Black Heritage Society and was heavily involved in city politics throughout his life.
According to the blog, the employee told Jackson Lee — who five days ago received Hillary Clinton’s endorsement in her bid to top the Texas Democratic stronghold — that another employee, “Jerome,” had the document and he would call him about it.
That’s when the clip supposedly steps in, Current Revolt claims – it reportedly shows the 73-year-old coming out on both. In it, a female voice, said to be the rep’s “Jerome,” castigates the other employee for what she considers incompetence.
It begins: “I don’t want you to do damn things. I want you to have a terrible brain. I want you to read it. I want you to say, “Congressman, on such and such a date.”
“This is what I want,” the recording continues. “That’s the kind of staff I want to have.”
At this point in the clip, the woman can be heard continuing to spew profanity as she rudely explains to the employee how she expects her workers to handle events on the calendar.
She also cites the specific importance of Duncantell in particular, due to his enduring reputation in The Bayou City.
“So some other stupid bastard did it. And I don’t have the information,” she says, explaining how instead of deflecting blame, she demands that whoever took the information know when and where the event happened.
She continues to mock the employee by speaking from his point of view, stating, “No one sent me the information. I have to provide a schedule and, uh, you know, if Boo Boo does it, shit** does it, f*ckface does it.’
“And nobody knows a damn thing in my office! OK? Nothing!’ she continues to exclaim before bluntly stating to the clerk, “I gave it to you.”
It continued: “Your job was to put it on the calendar, seal it in your brain, or send the information back to me saying, “Congresswoman, I made sure that the Ovid Ducantel event that you gave me for edi-koi the seven o’clock date is on the fucking calendar. Not to “Oh, Jerome has it.” OK?
She goes on to recount an alleged conversation with a so-called “Jerome,” who she said was “just sitting there like a dumb** stupid idiot talking about what the hell he doesn’t know,” when she called him with a similar line of questioning .
She then states, “You’re both screwed [inaudible]. This is the worst piece of crap I could ever put together.
At this point, the woman, who is said to be a representative of Texas’ 18th congressional district, is still not done and continues by referring to her two staffers as “two big damn kids.”
Damn you idiots [who]they serve no diabolical purpose,” she continues. ;Doesn’t rule anyone. Nobody respects them. Nobody cares what you do and you don’t do shit. And this is an example of that. I gave it to Jerome.
“This is no child’s work.”
The less than two-minute clip has since sent the internet into a frenzy and threatens to upend the New York native’s recently announced intentions to run against fellow Democratic Sen. John Whitmire in November’s U.S. mayoral election.
Jackson Lee took office in 1995, about two decades after Whitmire began his still-continuing tenure in the Texas Legislature.
Both have captured the spotlight — and the money — in the race to lead America’s fourth-largest city, where growth has caused municipal headaches but also turned the area into an expanding stronghold for Texas Democrats.
Both face the challenge of dealing with crime, crumbling infrastructure, budget deficits and a lack of affordable housing.
Just last week, however, Jackson Lee scored a major victory in his race to unseat the veteran congressman, winning former first lady Clinton’s endorsement in the form of a social media post from the former secretary of state.
In it, the 75-year-old Clinton proudly declared: “I support and proudly support my friend, [Jackson Lee]to be the next mayor of Houston.
In the post, the politician praised the mayoral candidate’s “tireless efforts” in Congress over the years, which she said proves “she has the experience and vision to lead Houston into the future.”
“She has always been a fierce advocate for her constituents, and I have no doubt she will bring the same fervor and dedication to her role as mayor,” Clinton said.
She has yet to comment on the already viral footage.