Determined Dad of Terminally Ill 13-Year-Old Cancer Warrior Runs for Texas Congress Seat

Theodis Daniel, father of the inspiring cancer survivor DJ Daniel, is stepping into the political ring. He’s announced his run for the 18th Congressional district seat in Texas, a position held previously by the late Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee and the late Rep. Sylvester Turner. The field is crowded, but Daniel’s not fazed. He’s a regular guy, a disabled veteran, a single father of three, and he’s claiming his candidacy with a no-nonsense, straight-to-the-point approach.

Daniel is not your typical politician. He rejects the label entirely, stating, “I’m a public servant first, because my duty is to the people.” His platform? Law enforcement, safety, healthcare, education; not the “abstract” issues Democrats are seemingly obsessed with, but the tangible battles he and other average Americans face daily.

If elected, Daniel promises to adhere to a term limit. He believes that his constituents have been “duped” by those who’ve overstayed their welcome in the halls of Congress, comfortable, lazy, and forgetful of their purpose. He analogizes: “Sometimes, when you marinate meat, you kind of ruin it… Well, these folks got comfortable. When people get comfortable, they get lazy. When they get lazy, they get forgetful and disrespectful.”

Daniel’s journey up to this point has been marked by adversity. His son, DJ, was diagnosed with an aggressive form of brain cancer in 2018 and given less than five months to live. But DJ, now 13, has proven to be a fighter, just like his father. Even recently, facing the diagnosis of three more tumors, the family remains resilient.

The race for the 18th Congressional district seat is a crowded one, with 23 candidates primarily from the Democratic party. Yet, Daniel stands out. He’s not the son of a boxing legend or a former Houston City Council member; he’s an everyday American, driven by duty and service, ready to make a difference.

If elected, Daniel promises to “get up every day and get out there and make it happen” for the people of Texas 18. And let’s be clear about something fundamental: his commitment stems from his own life experiences, not political ambition. He’s bringing a fresh, candid perspective to the political landscape, one that’s grounded in the realities of daily American life.

The idea that politics should be left to career politicians has been proven wrong time and again. It’s time for individuals like Daniel, who embody true public service, to step up. This is a non-argument. It’s time for real people to represent real people. I am rooting for him. We need more Theodis Daniels in Congress.