Texas politics hasn't been this chaotic in a long time. Honestly, if you’re trying to keep track of who actually represents the Texas 18th Congressional District, you’ve probably got a headache. Between the passing of long-time legend Sheila Jackson Lee and the sudden loss of her successor, Sylvester Turner, this seat has been through more "special" moments than most districts see in fifty years.
Basically, we’ve seen a revolving door of leaders. First, there was the Texas 18th congressional district special election in late 2024. Then another one was triggered for 2025. It’s a lot to digest.
Why we keep having a Texas 18th Congressional District special election
The 18th District is a powerhouse. It covers a massive chunk of Houston—think downtown, the Third Ward, and parts of the north and east sides. For nearly three decades, Sheila Jackson Lee was the face of this area. When she died in July 2024 from pancreatic cancer, it didn't just leave a hole in the community; it left a massive legal and political vacuum.
Governor Greg Abbott had to call a special election to finish out her term. That sounds simple, but it was anything but. Because the timing coincided with the 2024 general election, voters in Houston actually had to vote for the same seat twice on the same ballot.
One vote was for the person to serve the next full two-year term starting in January 2025.
The other was the "special" vote to see who would sit in the chair for the final few weeks of 2024.
Erica Lee Carter, Sheila’s daughter, stepped up for that short sprint. She won the special election with about 68% of the vote, beating out Republicans Maria Dunn and Kevin Dural. She held the seat for just a few weeks—a symbolic and historic baton-passing.
The tragic twist nobody saw coming
The plan was for Sylvester Turner, the former Houston Mayor, to take over the long-term seat. He won the general election handily in November 2024. People expected stability.
Then, tragedy struck again.
Turner died on March 5, 2025, just two months into his term. It was a gut punch for the district. Suddenly, the seat was vacant once more. This triggered yet another Texas 18th congressional district special election, this time to fill the remainder of Turner’s term through early 2027.
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Abbott took his time calling the date, eventually landing on November 4, 2025. Democrats weren't happy. They argued the delay left hundreds of thousands of Houstonians without a voice in D.C. for nearly a year. Abbott, for his part, blamed Harris County’s "history of election failures" and said they needed time to get it right.
A crowded field and a 2026 runoff
The November 2025 special election was a mess of names. Sixteen candidates jumped in. When you have that many people on one ballot, nobody ever gets the 50% plus one vote needed to win outright.
That’s exactly what happened.
The frontrunners emerged as Christian Menefee and Amanda Edwards. Menefee is the Harris County Attorney—young, sharp, and very well-connected. Edwards is a former City Council member who has been chasing this seat for a while. She actually challenged Sheila Jackson Lee in the primary before Sheila passed away.
The results from the November 4 "jungle primary" looked like this:
- Christian Menefee (D): 28.9%
- Amanda Edwards (D): 25.6%
- Jolanda Jones (D): 19.1%
- Carmen Maria Montiel (R): 6.7%
Because nobody hit that 50% mark, we’re now headed to a runoff on January 31, 2026.
What’s at stake in the January 31 runoff?
This is the home stretch. The winner of the January runoff between Menefee and Edwards becomes the fourth person to represent the 18th District in less than two years.
It’s a battle of styles. Menefee has the backing of many "old guard" leaders and has leaned into his record as a litigator for the county. Edwards has a strong grassroots following and has positioned herself as someone who has been ready for this job since day one.
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Interestingly, Erica Lee Carter—who won that very first special election—chose not to run this time around. Instead, she’s managing Menefee’s campaign. That’s a huge endorsement in a district that still deeply misses her mother.
Actionable insights for Houston voters
If you live in the 18th District, you’re probably tired of being asked to go to the polls. But this runoff is arguably the most important one yet because it decides who gets a seat at the table for the next year.
- Check your registration: Even if you voted in November, double-check your status at the Texas Secretary of State website.
- Early Voting: This starts on Wednesday, January 21, 2026. Houston traffic is a nightmare; do yourself a favor and go early.
- Mail-in Ballots: If you’re eligible (65+, disabled, or out of town), get your application in now. The deadlines are strict.
- The Schedule: Mark January 31, 2026 on your calendar. This is a Saturday election, which is a bit unusual, so don't wait for a Tuesday that isn't coming.
The 18th District has been through the wringer. After a year of mourning and political limbo, the January 2026 runoff is the final chapter in this specific saga. It's the moment Houston finally gets a steady hand in Washington again.
Don't let the fatigue keep you home; this one actually matters.