2025–26 Texas's 18th congressional district special election

Last updated

2025–26 Texas's 18th congressional district special election
Flag of Texas.svg
←  2024 November 4, 2025 (first round)
January 31, 2026 (runoff)		 2026  →
Texas's 18th congressional district
  Christian Menefee October 2025.jpg TSUHomecoming93023-53 (cropped).jpg Jolanda Jones 2023 (cropped).jpg
Candidate Christian Menefee Amanda Edwards Jolanda Jones
Party Democratic Democratic Democratic
First round22,022
28.90%		19,467
25.55%		14,549
19.10%
Runoff TBDTBDEliminated
  Carmen Maria Montiel, 2021 (3x4).jpg Isaiah Martin (cropped).jpg
Candidate Carmen María Montiel Isaiah Martin
Party Republican Democratic
First round5,110
6.71%		4,337
5.69%
Runoff EliminatedEliminated
U.S. Representative before election

Sylvester Turner
Democratic

Elected U.S. Representative

TBD
Democratic

A special election to determine the member of the United States House of Representatives for Texas's 18th congressional district was held on November 4, 2025. The seat became vacant following the death of Democrat Sylvester Turner on March 5, 2025. It is considered a safely Democratic district. This was the second special election to this seat in almost one year, the first being held in November 2024 after the July 2024 death of Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee.

Contents

No candidate received a majority of the vote in the first round, leading to a runoff between the top two candidates: county attorney Christian Menefee and former city councilwoman Amanda Edwards. The runoff election is scheduled to be held on January 31, 2026 and the winner will succeed Turner to finish the term. [1]

Background

Incumbent Sylvester Turner died in office on March 5, 2025, from health complications, according to a statement released by his family. [2] [3] Turner was elected in 2024 to Congress after serving as a two-term mayor of Houston. [3] District 18 is a deeply blue urban district, with Turner winning the district with 69.4% of the vote. [4] More than a month later, Governor Greg Abbott called for the special election to take place on November 4. [5] Texas has no legal deadline for when special elections must take place, and many Democrats criticized Abbott, alleging he intentionally delayed the election to aid congressional Republicans, who hold a narrow majority in the House of Representatives. [6] [7] This special election will be conducted with a nonpartisan primary with all candidates on the ballot followed by a runoff held on a later date if no candidate receives a majority of the vote.

Candidates

Democratic Party

Advanced to runoff

Eliminated in primary

Withdrawn

Declined

Republican Party

Eliminated in primary

Green Party

Eliminated in primary

  • Tammie Rochester, social worker [11]

Independents

Eliminated in primary

Endorsements

Amanda Edwards (D)
U.S. representatives
Organizations
Jolanda Jones (D)
U.S. representatives
Organizations
Christian Menefee (D)
U.S. representatives
State legislators
County officials
Local officials
Party officials
Labor unions
Organizations
Newspapers
Declined to endorse
Labor unions

Primary

Fundraising

Campaign finance reports as of October 15, 2025
CandidateRaisedSpentCash on hand
Amanda Edwards (D)$1,266,234$935,650$331,799
Stephen Huey (D)$37,857$26,092$11,764
Jolanda Jones (D)$341,647$314,314$27,333
Isaiah Martin (D)$1,054,746$961,678$267,702
Christian Menefee (D)$1,539,610$1,146,989$392,621
Carmen María Montiel (R)$61,174$41,065$20,551
Reyna Anderson (I)$8,225$3,616$4,609
George Foreman IV (I)$8,454$759$7,695
Source: Federal Election Commission [43]

Polling

Poll sourceDate(s)
administered		Sample
size [e] 		Margin
of error		Amanda
Edwards (D)		George
Foreman IV (I)		Jolanda
Jones (D)		Isaiah
Martin (D)		Christian
Menefee (D)		Carmen Maria
Montiel (R)		OtherUndecided
University of Houston/YouGov [44] October 7–11, 20251,200 (LV)± 2.8%23%4%15%4%27%6%8% [f] 13%
Blueprint Polling (D) [45] [A] September 8–9, 2025454 (V)± 4.6%10%2%25%4%14%19%2% [g] 25%
Lake Research Partners (D) [45] [B] August 20–25, 2025400 (LV)± 4.9%15%4%22%5%22%15%–14%
Brilliant Corners Research & Strategies (D) [46] [C] July 20–23, 2025500 (LV)± 4.4%18%6%11%3%10%12%4%36%
University of Houston [47] July 9–18, 2025400 (LV)± 4.9%19%4%14%3%19%14%–27%

Results

2025 Texas's 18th congressional district special election nonpartisan primary results [48]
PartyCandidateVotes%
Democratic Christian Menefee 22,022 28.90
Democratic Amanda Edwards 19,467 25.55
Democratic Jolanda Jones 14,54919.10
Republican Carmen María Montiel 5,1106.71
Democratic Isaiah Martin4,3375.69
Republican Ollie Knox3,1314.11
Democratic Stephen Huey1,4151.86
Republican Ronald Whitfield1,1751.54
Republican Carter Page 9431.24
Republican Theodis Daniel9371.23
Democratic Valencia Williams9151.20
Independent George Foreman IV8281.09
Democratic Feldon Bonner II5550.73
Independent Vince Duncan4070.53
Independent Reyna Anderson2630.35
Green Tammie Rochester1350.18
Total votes76,189 100.00

Per his constitutional duties as Governor of Texas, Greg Abbott announced January 31, 2026, as the date for the runoff election. The announcement was made two weeks after the first round was held. [49] [1]

Runoff

Polling

Poll sourceDate(s)
administered		Sample
size [e] 		Margin
of error		Amanda
Edwards (D)		Christian
Menefee (D)		OtherUndecided
University of Houston/YouGov [44] October 7–11, 20251,200 (LV)± 2.8%34%36%10% [h] 20%
Hypothetical polling

Amanda Edwards vs. Jolanda Jones

Poll sourceDate(s)
administered		Sample
size [e] 		Margin
of error		Amanda
Edwards (D)		Jolanda
Jones (D)		OtherUndecided
University of Houston/YouGov [44] October 7–11, 20251,200 (LV)± 2.8%44%26%11% [i] 19%

Jolanda Jones vs. Christian Menefee

Poll sourceDate(s)
administered		Sample
size [e] 		Margin
of error		Jolanda
Jones (D)		Christian
Menefee (D)		OtherUndecided
University of Houston/YouGov [44] October 7–11, 20251,200 (LV)± 2.8%26%43%12% [j] 19%

Results

2026 Texas's 18th congressional district special election runoff results
PartyCandidateVotes%
Democratic Christian Menefee
Democratic Amanda Edwards
Total votes100.0
Democratic hold

See also

Notes

  1. ↑ Under Texas's resign-to-run law, Menefee was required to resign his seat when he entered the congressional race. However, he will remain in office in an acting capacity until the Harris County Board of Commissioners appoints a replacement. [9]
  2. ↑ New mid-decade maps enacted by the Texas Legislature place Green in the new 18th district starting in 2027.
  3. ↑ Will appear on the ballot as a candidate for the American Solidarity Party.
  4. ↑ County executive
  5. 1 2 3 4 Key:
    A – all adults
    RV – registered voters
    LV – likely voters
    V – unclear
  6. ↑ Carter Page (R) with 3%; Ronald Whitfield (R) and "Seven Others (<1%)" with 2%; Theodis Daniel (R) with 1%
  7. ↑ "Someone else" with 2%
  8. ↑ "Not voting" with 10%
  9. ↑ "Not voting" with 11%
  10. ↑ "Not voting" with 12%
Partisan clients
  1. ↑ Poll sponsored by Jones's campaign
  2. ↑ Poll sponsored by Menefee's campaign
  3. ↑ Poll sponsored by Edwards's campaign

References

  1. 1 2 Birenbaum, Gabby (November 17, 2025). "Abbott sets Jan. 31 runoff for special election to replace U.S. Rep. Sylvester Turner". The Texas Tribune . Retrieved November 19, 2025.
  2. ↑ Church, Abby; Warren, Peter (March 5, 2025). "Longtime Houston mayor Sylvester Turner dies at 70, months after winning U.S. House seat". Houston Chronicle . Retrieved March 5, 2025.
  3. 1 2 Lozano, Juan A. (March 5, 2025). "US Rep. and former Houston mayor Sylvester Turner dies at 70". Associated Press . Retrieved March 5, 2025.
  4. ↑ "2024 House Vote Tracker". Cook Political Report . Retrieved December 2, 2024.
  5. ↑ Mueller, Julia (April 7, 2025). "Abbott sets November special election to replace Sylvester Turner in House". The Hill . Retrieved April 7, 2025.
  6. ↑ Wallace, Jeremy (March 7, 2025). "Gov. Abbott could delay setting special election in Houston to help D.C. Republicans". Houston Chronicle . Retrieved March 10, 2025.
  7. ↑ Oppenheim, Oren; Osteen, Olivia; Peller, Lauren (April 8, 2025). "Texas governor under fire after pushing special election to November". ABC News. Retrieved April 22, 2025.
  8. ↑ Church, Abby (March 19, 2025). "Former Houston council member Amanda Edwards announces bid to replace Sylvester Turner in Congress". Houston Chronicle.
  9. ↑ Church, Abby (March 17, 2025). "With Christian Menefee running for U.S. Congress, what happens to the Harris County attorney seat?". Houston Chronicle . Retrieved March 20, 2025.
  10. ↑ Church, Abby (March 15, 2025). "Harris County Attorney Christian Menefee vying for Sylvester Turner's House seat". Houston Chronicle . Retrieved March 17, 2025.
  11. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 Vu, Kevin (September 5, 2025). "See all the candidates running for Texas' 18th Congressional District". Community Impact . Retrieved September 15, 2025.
  12. ↑ Guo, Kayla (June 5, 2025). "Texas Rep. Jolanda Jones announces bid to succeed Sylvester Turner in Congress". The Texas Tribune . Retrieved June 6, 2025.
  13. ↑ Kelly, Cara (March 17, 2025). "Isaiah Martin Roasts MAGA Creators on TikTok. Now He's Running for Congress". The Barbed Wire. Retrieved March 17, 2025.
  14. ↑ Barnes, Daniel; Oprysko, Caitlin (September 4, 2025). "Big Law hiring spree". Politico . Axel Springer. Retrieved September 4, 2025.
  15. 1 2 Humble, Ahmed (August 21, 2025). "18th Congressional District candidates drop out of race, endorse Christian Menefee". KPRC-TV . Retrieved September 15, 2025.
  16. ↑ "I am proud to officially announce that I am running for State House District 142. I'm ready to fight for our schools, our families, and a stronger future for our community". September 9, 2025. Retrieved September 15, 2025.
  17. ↑ "Robert Slater Announces Candidacy for Congressional District 29, Exiting Race for District 18". Facebook . September 3, 2025. Retrieved September 15, 2025.
  18. ↑ Wallace, Jeremy (August 26, 2025). "Al Green rules out running in special election for 18th Congressional District". Houston Chronicle . Retrieved September 5, 2025.
  19. 1 2 Bugenhagen, Faith (March 17, 2025). "Christian Menefee vies for Congress with Sheila Jackson Lee's daughter by his side". Chron.com . Retrieved March 17, 2025.
  20. ↑ Heavey, Deirdre (August 14, 2025). "'Not a politician': Father of young cancer survivor DJ Daniel runs for Texas 18th district seat". Fox News . Retrieved August 14, 2025.
  21. ↑ Winger, Richard (June 3, 2025). "American Solidarity Party Plans to Place Candidate on Ballot for Special U.S. House Election in Texas". Ballot Access News . Retrieved June 4, 2025.
  22. ↑ Wallace, Jeremy (June 30, 2025). "George Foreman IV to run for Congress in Houston district". Houston Chronicle . Retrieved June 30, 2025.
  23. ↑ "Elect Democratic Women Endorses Amanda Edwards for Texas' 18th Congressional District Special Election". August 20, 2025. Retrieved October 10, 2025.
  24. 1 2 3 4 Wallace, Jeremy (October 8, 2025). "Can Jasmine Crockett influence a Houston congressional race?". Houston Chronicle . Retrieved October 10, 2025.
  25. ↑ Nir, David; Singer, Jeff (August 11, 2025). "Morning Digest: A new poll shows Mary Peltola cruising if she runs for governor" . Retrieved August 11, 2025.
  26. ↑ "2025 Candidates for Common Good". Vote Common Good.
  27. ↑ "2026 Cycle Federal and Statewide Candidates". Emerge.
  28. ↑ "Watson Coleman Endorses Jolanda Jones in Texas 18th Congressional District Race". Style Magazine.
  29. 1 2 3 "Equality PAC Endorses Three Candidates: One for Texas' 18th Congressional District Special Election and Two for the 2026 Midterms". lgbtequalitypac.org. September 15, 2025. Retrieved September 18, 2025.
  30. ↑ "LGBTQ+ Victory Fund Endorses Jolanda Jones & Sarah McBride for the U.S. House, 2025 State and Local Candidates". July 29, 2025. Retrieved August 3, 2025.
  31. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 Nir, David; Singer, Jeff (March 19, 2025). "Morning Digest, sponsored by Liftoff Campaigns: New Hampshire might finally abandon its last-in-the-nation primary". The Downballot. Retrieved March 19, 2025.
  32. 1 2 3 4 Elbein, Saul (April 24, 2025). "National progressives back Houston attorney who fought GOP in court in Texas special election". The Hill . Retrieved April 24, 2025.
  33. 1 2 Church, Abby (March 18, 2025). "Christian Menefee endorsed by some of state's top Democrats in congressional campaign's first day". Houston Chronicle .
  34. ↑ Church, Abby (March 20, 2025). "Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo has endorsed Christian Menefee in the race to replace U.S. Rep. Sylvester Turner in Congress". Houston Chronicle . Retrieved March 20, 2025.
  35. ↑ Manchester, Julia (October 6, 2025). "Hogg endorses first candidate challenging incumbent House Democrat". The Hill . Retrieved October 6, 2025.
  36. ↑ "National Nurses United endorses Christian Menefee for Congress". September 29, 2025. Retrieved October 11, 2025.
  37. ↑ "2025 Endorsements" . Retrieved October 11, 2025.
  38. ↑ "Press Statements & Endorsements" . Retrieved April 26, 2025.
  39. ↑ "Elections and Endorsements | People For the American Way". People For the American Way. Retrieved October 26, 2025.
  40. ↑ "Christian Menefee" . Retrieved October 11, 2025.
  41. ↑ "Voters should pick a representative who will be effective in Congress and the courts". Houston Chronicle . October 10, 2025. Retrieved October 10, 2025.
  42. ↑ "Labor 2025 Endorsements" . Retrieved October 11, 2025.
  43. ↑ "2026 Election United States House - Texas 18th". Federal Election Commission . Retrieved October 10, 2025.
  44. 1 2 3 4 "Texas Congressional District 18 Special Election" (PDF). University of Houston . October 2025. Retrieved October 17, 2025.
  45. 1 2 McClenagan, Kyle (September 15, 2025). "Frontrunners for 18th Congressional District special election release conflicting polling data". Houston Public Media . Retrieved October 10, 2025.
  46. ↑ Singer, Jeff (August 12, 2025). "TX-18: brilliant corners Research & Strategies (D) for Amanda Edwards (Aug. 2025)". DocumentCloud . Retrieved August 13, 2025.
  47. ↑ "Harris County 2025: Texas Congressional District 18" (PDF). University of Houston. July 2025. Retrieved July 30, 2025.
  48. ↑ "November 04, 2025: General and Special Elections". Harris County, TX. November 3, 2025. Retrieved November 3, 2025.
  49. ↑ AP Race Call: Menefee and Edwards advance to a runoff for U.S. House in Texas' 18th District
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