HOUSTON – A special runoff election is being held Saturday to determine who will fill the vacant U.S. House seat in Texas’ 18th Congressional District. Voters in the Houston area will choose between Democratic candidates Christian Menefee and Amanda Edwards.
Who are the Candidates?
Christian Menefee
Christian Menefee previously served as a commercial litigator in Houston and, in 2020, became the youngest and first Black Harris County Attorney. According to his campaign website, Menefee is running for Congress to advocate for working people, citing concerns about voting rights, reproductive freedom, and economic inequality.
Amanda Edwards
Amanda Edwards is an attorney who has twice sought to represent the 18th Congressional District, previously running in a primary against Sheila Jackson Lee and a close contest with former Mayor Turner. She most recently served as an At-Large Houston City Council Member. Her campaign platform focuses on improving opportunities for all community members, including lowering costs, improving infrastructure, and protecting social security.
Why is a Runoff Election Being Held?
The seat became vacant following the March 5, 2025, death of U.S. Rep. Sylvester Turner. Texas Governor Greg Abbott called for a special election on November 4, 2025, to fill the remainder of the term, which expires in January 2027. With 16 candidates on the initial ballot, no one secured more than 50% of the vote, necessitating a runoff between the top two vote-getters.
About Texas’ 18th Congressional District
Texas’ 18th Congressional District encompasses much of inner-city Houston and surrounding areas. The district was represented by U.S. Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee for nearly three decades, from 1995 until her death in July 2024. Following her passing, her daughter, Erica Lee Carter, served a brief term from November 2024 to January 2025. Former Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner then took office in January 2025, but his death in March created the current vacancy.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is there a special election?
A special election was called after U.S. Rep. Sylvester Turner died on March 5, 2025, leaving the seat vacant.
How many candidates were on the initial ballot?
There were 16 candidates on the November 4, 2025 ballot.
When does the term expire for this seat?
The term that voters are currently deciding who will fill expires in January 2027.
As voters head to the polls on Saturday, the outcome of this runoff election will determine who will represent the 18th Congressional District for the remainder of the current term. Will the district favor Menefee’s message of fighting for working people, or will Edwards’ focus on community-level improvements resonate more with voters?
