Father of cancer survivor DJ Daniel announces run for Congress

The father of DJ Daniel, the 13-year-old who has been fighting brain cancer since 2018, is launching a congressional campaign.

In a video shared online, Theodis Daniel announced his run for Texas’s 18th district. The father and veteran joins a crowded field of candidates for the vacant seat that was long held by Sheila Jackson Lee until her death in 2024. Her daughter, Erica Lee Carter, succeeded her for the unexpired term, and former Houston mayor Sylvester Turner was elected in November 2024 — Turner died in office in March 2025.

“What can you lose with me? There’s more to gain,” Daniel said in the clip. “For God’s sake, I even come with a term limit… If I’m not doing such a great job and you’re not satisfied with me, I don’t have a problem not running next time and/or stepping down.”

“I’m a public servant first, because my duty is to the people.”

Theodis Daniel, the father of young cancer survivor DJ Daniel, announces his run for Texas’ 18th district seat. pic.twitter.com/hTv28rkKJG

— Fox News (@FoxNews) August 14, 2025

Given the caliber of representation in Congress today, Daniel has an excellent point.

“I’m a regular guy. I am not a politician,” he told Fox News. “I don’t have six-figure deals. I’m just a regular dude trying to make it. Single dad. I got three kids to myself. I’m a disabled veteran just trying to make a difference regardless of what I’m going through.”

“I don’t call myself a politician,” Daniel said. “I’m a public servant first, because my duty is to the people.”

DJ, who has been sworn in as an honorary officer over 900 times, joined President Donald J. Trump’s joint address to Congress back in March, when he was named an honorary Secret Service agent. His father accompanied him on the trip and may have gotten a taste for joining the fight to Make America Great Again.

“Friends, I’m running for U.S. Congress in Texas District 18 because our community deserves a stronger voice in Washington-one that puts people first. Together, we can fight for better jobs, quality education, safer neighborhoods,” Daniel posted on X, alongside a father-son photo taken in DC.

Friends,
I’m running for U.S. Congress in Texas District 18 because our community deserves a stronger voice in Washington-one that puts people first. Together, we can fight for better jobs, quality education, safer neighborhoods. https://t.co/XU0EeKG5H1 pic.twitter.com/MC3KpQckFS

— Theodis Daniel For Congress (@Tdanielfortx) August 14, 2025

As for his platform, Daniel calls for “backing the blue,” tougher sentencing, and says criminals “should fear the badge and respect the law.” He advocates for fiscal responsibility and supports school choice.

A special election to fill the vacant seat is scheduled for November 4, 2025.

Senior Staff Writer
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The longest-tenured writer at BizPac Review, Tom grew up in Maryland before moving to Central Florida as a young teen. It is in the Sunshine State that he honed both his passion for politics and his writing skills.

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