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If you thought the District 22 race didn’t effect you, think again.

KHOU - TV

Shelly Sekula Gibbs

“A city this big, it costs a whole lot to do an election. It think it as been running a couple of million. I think $2 million,” said Mayor Bill White.

And that is exactly what Mayor White will have to do because Shelley Sekula Gibbs lost her write in campaign, but won a special election.

“The election has to be certified and so forth, but those are my intentions to move and take that position,” said Sekula Gibbs.

That position is the remainder of Tom Delay’s term in Congress.

In fact she’ll be in D.C. by Wednesday night. She'll leaving behind more than a year of her one year at large term on the council to be a Congresswoman for just 10 weeks.

“Councilwoman, Dr. Congresswoman, I’m not sure what to call you,” said Mayor White.

“It is commitment to the voters of District 22. I asked them for their vote. It would be really wrong of me to say now that I didn’t want that vote and that responsibility,” said Sekula Gibbs.

For his part, Nick Lampson is preparing to return to Congress in January for a full term.

He will keep his seniority in Congress and will serve with his party in control of the House for the first time.

Already Lampson has been a part of conference calls regarding all important committee assignments.

“Hopefully there will be some very firm commitments to what we are going to be doing to lead this nation in a new direction and I am excited to be a part of that,” said Lampson.

At least for two years.

District 22 is significantly Republican and Lampson will face a stiff challenge from a non write-in Republican in two years.

As For Sekula Gibbs, she will be paid  $13,767 a month for the two months remaining in this session.

She’ll also get a modest amount for her staff and a parking place.

Sekula Gibbs will not qualify for a Congressional pension, but she can always be referred to as Congresswoman.