Democrat Menefee Wins Texas House Seat, Trims GOP Edge

Christian Menefee, a former Harris County attorney, won a special runoff election for Texas' 18th Congressional District on January 31, 2026. He beat Amanda Edwards, a former Houston City Council member, by a wide margin of 68% to 32%. The win fills a seat left empty for 11 months after the death of Rep. Sylvester Turner. It narrows the Republican majority in the U.S. House to 218-214, leaving the GOP with just one vote to spare on party-line issues.

Background

The 18th Congressional District covers parts of Houston, including downtown, the Third Ward, and Kashmere Gardens. It has long elected Democrats, sending Sheila Jackson Lee to Congress for almost 30 years until her death in 2024. Voters picked Sylvester Turner in 2024. Turner, who had served two terms as Houston mayor, died on March 5, 2025, from health issues, just two months into his term.

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott called a special election for November 4, 2025. Sixteen candidates ran, all but a few Democrats. No one got over 50% of the vote, so the top two advanced to a runoff. Menefee took 29% with 22,022 votes. Edwards got 26% with 19,467 votes. Other contenders included Jolanda Jones with 19%, and several Republicans who split the rest.

Turnout in November was low at about 76,000 votes out of hundreds of thousands of registered voters. The runoff saw even less action. Fewer than 14,000 early and mail votes came in, and total turnout hit around 23,652. Of those registered in the district, just over 23,000 voted, or about 5.6%.

Menefee, 37, served as Harris County attorney from 2021 to 2025. He often sued state leaders like Abbott and Attorney General Ken Paxton over issues like voting rights and abortion. Edwards, 44, spent eight years on Houston City Council. Both raised big money. Menefee spent over $2.2 million by the end. Edwards raised about $1.7 million.

Key Details

The Associated Press called the race for Menefee early on election night as he led with two-thirds of the vote from early returns and half the Election Day centers. Final unofficial tallies showed Menefee with 16,174 votes to Edwards' 7,478.

At his victory party, Menefee spoke to a crowd of supporters. He promised to push back hard in Washington.

“You’ve gone nearly a year without hearing from the people of the 18th Congressional District of Texas,” Menefee said. “The results here tonight are a mandate for me to work as hard as I can to oppose your agenda, to fight back against where you’re taking this country and to investigate your crimes. And I look forward to doing so.”

He aimed those words at President Donald Trump. Menefee also vowed to impeach Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem and overhaul immigration by rooting out ICE.

Menefee had strong backing from local Democrats. Rep. Jasmine Crockett and former Rep. Beto O’Rourke endorsed him. Erica Lee Carter, daughter of Sheila Jackson Lee, supported him too. Edwards had her own donors and allies from city hall days.

Voter Turnout and District Changes

Low turnout marked both rounds. November saw nearly 39,000 early votes. The runoff dropped to under 14,000. Harris County has over 423,000 registered voters in the district, but only 23,732 showed up for the runoff.

Republicans redrew Texas maps in 2025, shifting the 18th District. It now leans less blue. About a quarter of current voters stay. Areas like Acres Homes, the Heights, and Humble move out. Northeastern and southern parts, including downtown Houston, remain.

This forces a three-way Democratic primary on March 3, 2026. Menefee and Edwards face Rep. Al Green, drawn in from the neighboring district. Green holds the 9th District now. Early voting starts February 17.

What This Means

Menefee takes the seat for the rest of 2026. He joins a House where Republicans hold a razor-thin edge. Before his win, the GOP led 219-213. Now it's 218-214. That means any one Republican vote against the party could sink a bill. Speaker Mike Johnson has less room to maneuver on tight votes.

Democrats gain a voice for the district after nearly a year of silence. Houston residents in the 18th pushed for a quicker election. Abbott's schedule drew criticism from Democrats who wanted faster action.

Menefee's time could be short. The March primary tests him against Green, a veteran. Edwards runs again too. The winner faces a Republican in November 2026, but the district stays Democratic-leaning despite changes.

Redistricting hit other Houston areas. Republicans created a new GOP-friendly seat in east Harris County. That pulled Green into the 18th. Voters adapt to new lines. Some lose their current rep. Others gain new choices.

Menefee plans to bring his county attorney fight to Congress. He sued Texas over school funding, election laws, and more. Expect him to join Democrats probing the Trump administration. His pledges on immigration and impeachment signal his path.

Local leaders watch the primary. It shapes Houston's clout in Washington. The district produced powerhouses like Jackson Lee. Menefee eyes a long run, but first he must win in March.

Turnout stays a worry. Special elections draw few voters. The general primary could see more. Early voting helps. Harris County runs smooth operations despite low numbers.

Menefee heads to D.C. soon. He swears in and jumps into work. The House debates budgets, borders, and more. His seat matters in every tally.