Runoff Election to Decide Future of Texas’ 18th Congressional District
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Houston-area voters head to the polls Saturday to fill the vacant U.S. House seat in Texas’ 18th Congressional District, choosing between Democratic candidates Christian Menefee and Amanda Edwards. The special election follows a series of recent events that have left the district without representation in Congress, and the outcome will determine who completes the term expiring in January 2027.
A History of Transition in CD-18
The current election stems from the untimely passing of former Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner, who died on March 5, 2025, after just a few months in office. Turner had been elected to represent the district in November 2024, following a special election win by Erica Lee Carter – the daughter of the late U.S. Representative Sheila Jackson Lee – to finish her mother’s term after Jackson Lee’s death in July 2024. Jackson Lee herself had represented the district for nearly three decades, beginning in 1995.
Texas Governor Greg Abbott called for the initial special election on November 4, 2025, with 16 candidates vying for the position. Because no candidate secured more than 50% of the vote, a runoff election between the top two vote-getters – Menefee and Edwards – became necessary.
Meet the Candidates
Christian Menefee brings a background as a commercial litigator and, notably, as the youngest and first Black Harris County Attorney, a position he assumed in 2020. According to his campaign, “Christian is running for Congress because working people deserve a government that has their back.” He frames his candidacy as a direct response to policies enacted by former President Trump and his allies, citing concerns over voting rights, reproductive freedom, and economic inequality. Menefee pledges to “fight back against bullies” in Washington.
Amanda Edwards, an attorney herself, is seeking to represent the district for the third time. She previously ran in a Democratic primary against Sheila Jackson Lee and in a close contest with Turner, ultimately decided by Democratic precinct chairs in favor of the former Mayor. Edwards recently served as an At-Large Houston City Council Member. Her campaign emphasizes a commitment to opportunity for all, stating she wants to ensure “everyone in the community…has the opportunity to succeed,” with a focus on lowering costs, improving infrastructure, and protecting social security.
The District and the Stakes
Texas’ 18th Congressional District encompasses much of inner-city Houston and surrounding areas, representing over 760,000 Houstonians as of the 2020 Census. The district has a strong Democratic lean, making the runoff a crucial contest for the party. The winner will not only finish out Turner’s term but will also be well-positioned to seek a full term in the November 2026 election.
Voters can find polling locations for the special runoff election [here](MAP: Polling locations for special runoff election). The outcome of Saturday’s election will determine who will carry on the legacy of representation in a district with a rich and complex political history.
