Jackson Lee to face challenge from rapper Cornbreadd in November

By Pete Kasperowicz - 02/22/12 11:41 AM ET

Nine-term Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee (D-Texas), who easily won reelection in 2010 with 70 percent of the vote, will face a challenge this November from Maurice Duhon Jr., who writes a political blog and is also a Houston-area rapper who goes by the name Cornbreadd.

Duhon announced his candidacy on Tuesday, and told the Houston Press that he's running because "I believe we can do better.

"The current instability of our financial markets, a rising rate of poverty and a massive national debt are just a few of the reasons why we must do better," he said. "I plan to introduce and participate in an evolved and updated political conversation with the residents and business owners of the 18th district and her surrounding areas."

The Houston Press also reported that Duhon will host a fundraiser called "WHO and WHAT is an Uncle Tom? A Retrospective Conversation," next week.

Jackson Lee faced both a Republican and a third-party challenger in 2010, but the Republican won just 27 percent of the vote, and the third-party candidate just 3 percent. Republican Sean Seibert is also running for Jackson Lee's seat this year.