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

The 2025–26 Texas's 18th congressional district 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 Representative Sheila Jackson Lee.

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 was held on January 31, 2026 and Menefee was selected to succeed Turner to finish the term.

Background Incumbent Sylvester Turner died in office on March 5, 2025 from health complications, according to a statement released by his family. Turner was elected in 2024 to Congress after serving as a two-term mayor of Houston. District 18 is a deeply blue urban district, with Turner winning the district with 69.4% of the vote. More than a month later, Governor Greg Abbott called for the special election to take place on November 4. 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. The special election was conducted with all candidates on the ballot and was followed by a runoff because no candidate received a majority of the vote in the first round.

Candidates Democratic Party Advanced to runoff Christian Menefee, Harris County Attorney (2021–2026) Amanda Edwards, former at-large Houston city councilor (2016–2020), candidate for this district in the 2024 special and regular elections, and candidate for U.S. Senate in 2020

Eliminated in primary Feldon Bonner II, minister Stephen Huey, healthcare software engineer Jolanda Jones, state representative from the 147th district (2022–present) (endorsed Edwards in runoff) Isaiah Martin, government contract consultant and candidate for this district in 2024 Valencia Williams, philanthropist

Withdrawn Zoe Cadore, former director of federal and regulatory affairs for Calpine Ebony Rain Eatmon, community advocate (endorsed Menefee) James Joseph, former director of civic engagement and community outreach for state senator Borris Miles (running for state house in 2026) Corisha Rogers, political organizer (endorsed Menefee) Robert Slater, president of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference Texas Chapter and candidate for this district in 2024 (running for the 29th district in 2026)

Declined Al Green, U.S. representative from (2005–present) Erica Lee Carter, former U.S. representative (2024–2025) (endorsed Menefee)

Republican Party Eliminated in primary Theodis Daniel, disabled veteran Ollie Knox, retiree Carmen María Montiel, former Miss Venezuela, candidate for Texas's 29th congressional district in 2018, and nominee for this district in 2022 Carter Page, petroleum consultant and former foreign policy advisor for Donald Trump Ronald Whitfield, landscaping contractor

Green Party Eliminated in primary Tammie Rochester, social worker

Independents Eliminated in primary Reyna Anderson, former advisor to the Holy See Permanent Observer Mission to the U.N. Vince Duncan, carpentry contractor George Foreman IV, television personality and son of professional boxer George Foreman

Primary Endorsements

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

Polling Poll source Date(s)administered Samplesize Marginof error AmandaEdwards (D) GeorgeForeman IV (I) JolandaJones (D) IsaiahMartin (D) ChristianMenefee (D) Carmen MariaMontiel (R) Other UndecidedUniversity of Houston/YouGovOctober 7–11, 20251,200 (LV)± 2.8%23%4%15%4%27%6%8%13%Blueprint Polling (D)September 8–9, 2025454 (V)± 4.6%10%2%25%4%14%19%2%25%Lake Research Partners (D)August 20–25, 2025400 (LV)± 4.9%15%4%22%5%22%15%–14%Brilliant Corners Research & Strategies (D)July 20–23, 2025500 (LV)± 4.4%18%6%11%3%10%12%4%36%University of HoustonJuly 9–18, 2025400 (LV)± 4.9%19%4%14%3%19%14%–27%

Results

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.AP Race Call: Menefee and Edwards advance to a runoff for U.S. House in Texas' 18th District

Runoff Post-primary endorsements

Fundraising Campaign finance reports as of January 11, 2026CandidateRaisedSpentCash on handAmanda Edwards (D)$1,740,159$1,460,807$280,565Christian Menefee (D)$2,225,235$1,836,495$388,739Source: Federal Election Commission

Polling Poll source Date(s)administered Samplesize Marginof error AmandaEdwards (D) ChristianMenefee (D) Other UndecidedLake Research Partners (D)December 8–14, 2025437 (LV)± 4.7%30%43%–13%University of Houston/YouGovOctober 7–11, 20251,200 (LV)± 2.8%34%36%10%20%

Amanda Edwards vs. Jolanda Jones Poll source Date(s)administered Samplesize Marginof error AmandaEdwards (D) JolandaJones (D) Other UndecidedUniversity of Houston/YouGovOctober 7–11, 20251,200 (LV)± 2.8%44%26%11%19%

Jolanda Jones vs. Christian Menefee Poll source Date(s)administered Samplesize Marginof error JolandaJones (D) ChristianMenefee (D) Other UndecidedUniversity of Houston/YouGovOctober 7–11, 20251,200 (LV)± 2.8%26%43%12%19%

Results

See also 2025 United States House of Representatives elections 2026 United States House of Representatives elections List of special elections to the United States House of Representatives List of United States representatives from Texas 119th United States Congress

Notes

Partisan clients

References

External links Official campaign websites Reyna Anderson (I) for Congress Theodis Daniel (R) for Congress Vince Duncan (I) for Congress Amanda Edwards (D) for Congress George Foreman IV (I) for Congress Stephen Huey (D) for Congress Jolanda Jones (D) for Congress Isaiah Martin (D) for Congress Christian Menefee (D) for Congress Carmen Maria Montiel (R) for Congress Carter Page (R) for Congress Valenica Williams (D) for Congress