Texas's 18th congressional district is a congressional district in the U.S. state of Texas. It includes much of inner-city Houston and the surrounding area and has been the Downtown Houston district since 1973. The district is represented by Democrat Christian Menefee, who was sworn in on February 2, 2026, after being elected in a January 2026 special election runoff following the death of Democrat Sylvester Turner.

History The district was represented during the 1970s by Barbara Jordan, the first black woman elected to Congress from the South, who was praised by many for her powerful presence and oratorical skills. The district was represented by Sheila Jackson Lee from 1995 until her death in 2024, when the seat became vacant. Her daughter, Erica Lee Carter succeeded her for the unexpired term. Former Houston mayor Sylvester Turner then succeeded Carter before his death on March 5, 2025. A special election was held on November 4, 2025, followed by a runoff on January 31, 2026, which was won by Christian Menefee.

Since the district was moved to Houston in 1972, it has voted for a Democrat in every presidential election. The district gave George McGovern 69% in 1972 and Walter Mondale 72% in 1984.

In popular culture

In the TV series The West Wing, Texas's 18th congressional district was represented by fictional Democratic presidential candidate Matt Santos.

Recent election results from statewide races 2023–2027 boundaries Year Office Results2008 PresidentObama 73% - 26%2012 PresidentObama 73% - 27%2014 SenateAlameel 70% - 30% GovernorDavis 73% - 27%2016 PresidentClinton 74% - 22%2018 SenateO'Rourke 77% - 22% GovernorValdez 71% - 27% Lt. GovernorCollier 75% - 24% Attorney GeneralNelson 75% - 23% Comptroller of Public AccountsChevalier 72% - 25%2020 PresidentBiden 74% - 25% SenateHegar 71% - 27%2022 GovernorO'Rourke 73% - 25% Lt. GovernorCollier 72% - 25% Attorney GeneralMercedes Garza 72% - 25% Comptroller of Public AccountsDudding 70% - 27%2024 PresidentHarris 69% - 29% SenateAllred 71% - 26%

2027–2033 boundaries Year Office Results2008 PresidentObama 82% - 17%2012 PresidentObama 83% - 17%2014 SenateAlameel 80% - 20% GovernorDavis 82% - 18%2016 PresidentClinton 82% - 15%2018 SenateO'Rourke 84% - 15% GovernorValdez 78% - 20% Lt. GovernorCollier 82% - 16% Attorney GeneralNelson 83% - 15% Comptroller of Public AccountsChevalier 80% - 17%2020 PresidentBiden 81% - 18% SenateHegar 79% - 19%2022 GovernorO'Rourke 81% - 18% Lt. GovernorCollier 79% - 18% Attorney GeneralMercedes Garza 80% - 18% Comptroller of Public AccountsDudding 78% - 19%2024 PresidentHarris 77% - 22% SenateAllred 78% - 19%

Current composition For the 118th and successive Congresses (based on redistricting following the 2020 census), the district contains all or portions of the following counties and communities:https://www2.census.gov/geo/maps/cong_dist/cd118/cd_based/ST48/CD118_TX18.pdf

Harris County (4)

Atascocita (part; also 2nd), Houston (part; also 2nd, 7th, 8th, 9th, 22nd, 29th, 36th, 38th; shared with Fort Bend and Montgomery counties), Humble (part; also 2nd and 29th), Jacinto City (part; also 29th and 36th)

Future composition Beginning with the 2026 election, the 18th district will consist of the following counties:

Fort Bend (part) Harris (part)

List of members representing the district Representative Party Term Congress Electoral history Counties represented District established March 4, 1919 J. Marvin Jones Democratic March 4, 1919 –November 20, 1940Redistricted from the and re-elected in 1918.Re-elected in 1920.Re-elected in 1922.Re-elected in 1924.Re-elected in 1926.Re-elected in 1928.Re-elected in 1930.Re-elected in 1932.Re-elected in 1934.Re-elected in 1936.Re-elected in 1938.Resigned to become judge of the U.S. Court of Claims. 1919–1923 1923–1931 1931–19331933–1943 Vacant November 20, 1940 –January 3, 1941 Eugene Worley DemocraticJanuary 3, 1941 –April 3, 1950Elected in 1940.Re-elected in 1942.Re-elected in 1944.Re-elected in 1946.Re-elected in 1948.Resigned to become judge of the U.S. Court of Customs and Patent Appeals 1943–19451945–1953 Vacant April 3, 1950 –May 6, 1950 Ben H. Guill Republican May 6, 1950 –January 3, 1951 Elected to finish Worley's term.Lost re-election. Walter E. Rogers Democratic January 3, 1951 –January 3, 1967Elected in 1950.Re-elected in 1952.Re-elected in 1954.Re-elected in 1956.Re-elected in 1958.Re-elected in 1960.Re-elected in 1962.Re-elected in 1964.Retired. 1953–1959 1959–1963 1963–1967 Bob Price Republican January 3, 1967 –January 3, 1973 Elected in 1966.Re-elected in 1968.Re-elected in 1970.Redistricted to the . 1967–1973 Barbara Jordan Democratic January 3, 1973 –January 3, 1979 Elected in 1972.Re-elected in 1974.Re-elected in 1976.Retired.1973–1983 Mickey Leland Democratic January 3, 1979 –August 7, 1989Elected in 1978.Re-elected in 1980.Re-elected in 1982.Re-elected in 1984.Re-elected in 1986.Re-elected in 1988.Died.1983–1993 Vacant August 7, 1989 –December 9, 1989 Craig Washington Democratic December 9, 1989 –January 3, 1995Elected to finish Leland's term.Re-elected in 1990.Re-elected in 1992.Lost renomination.1993–1997 Sheila Jackson Lee Democratic January 3, 1995 –July 19, 2024Elected in 1994.Re-elected in 1996.Re-elected in 1998.Re-elected in 2000.Re-elected in 2002.Re-elected in 2004.Re-elected in 2006.Re-elected in 2008.Re-elected in 2010.Re-elected in 2012.Re-elected in 2014.Re-elected in 2016.Re-elected in 2018.Re-elected in 2020.Re-elected in 2022.Ran for re-election, but died. 2003–2005 2005–2007 2007–2013 2013–20232023–2027 Vacant July 19, 2024 –November 12, 2024 Erica Lee Carter Democratic November 12, 2024 –January 3, 2025 Elected to finish her mother's term.Did not seek election to a full term. Sylvester Turner Democratic January 3, 2025 –March 5, 2025 Elected in 2024.Died. Vacant March 5, 2025 –February 2, 2026 Christian Menefee Democratic February 2, 2026 –present Elected in runoff to finish Turner’s term.

Recent election results

See also List of United States congressional districts

References

Congressional Biographical Directory of the United States 1774–present