In the political landscape of Texas, where power is often concentrated within entrenched party lines, the race for House District 137 is shaping up to be a curious exception. For the fourth time, incumbent Democrat Gene Wu will face off against Libertarian Lee Sharp in what has become a familiar contest in the heavily Democratic district west of Houston.
The absence of a Republican candidate underscores the deep blue character of District 137. The last time a Republican appeared on the ballot here was in 2016 when Kendall Baker took a shot at unseating Wu. Since then, the race has been a two-man show, with Wu and Sharp vying for the seat in every election cycle since 2018.
The Incumbent: Gene Wu
Gene Wu, a Chinese-American lawyer and politician, has represented District 137 since 2013. Wu, a former prosecutor for Harris County, has made a name for himself as one of the most liberal voices in the Texas House of Representatives. As a member of the Juvenile Justice and Family Issues Committee and the House Committee on Appropriations, Wu has aligned himself with the progressive wing of the Democratic Party, advocating for policies that reflect his strong support for environmental regulations, juvenile justice reform, and expanding government reach.
Wu’s tenure in the Texas House has been marked by his consistent focus on liberal causes. Following his first legislative session, he received accolades from organizations like the Sierra Club for his environmental advocacy, earning their New Leadership in Environmental Protection Award. However, his legislative record also highlights a disconnect between his priorities and the everyday concerns of his constituents.
In 2022, Wu secured 76% of the vote against Sharp’s 24%. This was a slight dip from his previous victories in 2020 and 2018, where he won 81.5% and 88.3% of the vote, respectively. Despite his dominant performance, these numbers reveal a growing, albeit modest, dissatisfaction among voters—a dissatisfaction that Lee Sharp is banking on.
The Challenger: Lee Sharp
Lee Sharp, an IT consultant with global experience, is the quintessential outsider candidate. Unlike Wu, Sharp is not a career politician. His background is in technology, not law or government. And this, according to Sharp, is precisely what makes him the better choice for District 137.
Sharp’s decision to run for office was born out of frustration with the status quo. As he told Ballotpedia, “One day when I was upset about what my elected officials were doing (which is not that unusual), I found out one of them was running unopposed. That just would not stand. What incentive would they have to care about our issues if no one even cared to run against him?”
Since entering the race, Sharp has positioned himself as the voice of change—a stark contrast to the “lifelong politicians” he criticizes. His campaign is built on three key messages: the need for representatives who understand the real-life challenges of their constituents, the elimination of government waste, and the promotion of unity in a diverse community.
A Campaign of Principle Over Popularity
Sharp’s campaign is far from conventional. With only 207 followers on his official Facebook page and no posts since October 2023, Sharp’s social media presence is minimal at best. His website, www.leewsharp.com, features little more than a splash page with non-functional “Sign Up” and “Donate” buttons. For a candidate who has run four times, this glaring lack of seriousness and professionalism raises questions about his commitment and capability to mount an effective campaign.
Sharp is passionate about several key policy areas, most notably government accountability and the elimination of wasteful spending. He is particularly critical of the current state of government housing, which he argues benefits wealthy investors like Warren Buffett rather than the people who truly need assistance. Sharp advocates for direct assistance to those in need, which he believes would create competition in the housing market and eliminate the persistent issue of slums in the district.
Another cornerstone of Sharp’s platform is the accountability of law enforcement and public officials. He calls for the end of qualified immunity, which he argues allows police officers to escape consequences for misconduct. Sharp proposes that officers carry individually paid malpractice insurance, similar to doctors, to ensure that only those fit to serve remain on the force. This, he argues, would not only improve the quality of policing but also restore public trust in law enforcement.
A New Kind of Representative
Sharp’s critique of career politicians extends to his views on the qualifications for public office. He questions the value of prior government experience, pointing out that in any other field, a history of failure would not be seen as an asset. “We need new people, and we need people who have other experience than government and law,” Sharp says. His vision for the Texas legislature includes professionals from diverse fields such as IT, medicine, and insurance—individuals who bring practical, real-world experience to the table.
The Road Ahead
The 2024 race for District 137 is shaping up to be another David vs. Goliath battle. Gene Wu, with his established political machine and strong ties to liberal advocacy groups, faces a determined opponent in Lee Sharp, who is running on a platform of principled change and government accountability.
For voters in District 137, the choice is clear: a continuation of the status quo under a politician who has been in office for over a decade, or a chance to elect a true outsider with a fresh perspective on governance.
In a district where Republican candidates are a distant memory, Lee Sharp represents the only alternative to the progressive policies of Gene Wu. As election day approaches, it remains to be seen whether Sharp’s message will resonate with enough voters to finally break the Democratic stranglehold on District 137.