Christian Menefee and Amanda Edwards will face one another in early 2026 in the runoff for a US House seat in Houston. (Photos via AP)
The two Democrats topped a field of 16 candidates for a US House seat in Houston and will face off in a runoff early next year.
Christian Menefee and Amanda Edwards are advancing to a runoff for the 18th Congressional District seat in Houston, emerging from a field of 16 candidates vying to succeed the late Rep. Sylvester Turner.
Menefee, the Harris County Attorney, placed first with 21,979 votes, or 28.89%, according to the Texas Secretary of State’s office. Edwards, a former Houston City Council member, secured the second spot with 19,440 votes, or 25.55%.
With no candidate receiving more than 50% of the vote, the top two finishers will face off in a runoff.
Menefee addressed supporters on Nov. 4 with a message focused on community-driven leadership and his record of public service. He highlighted his work as county attorney, which included lawsuits against President Donald Trump.
“So when I talk about going out to DC to hold Donald Trump accountable, it’s not to make headlines. It’s to protect those communities. It’s to make life better for those communities,” Menefee said. “So my message to MAGA Republicans and Donald Trump in Washington, DC: We got just one more election left and then you’re gonna have to see me.”
He emphasized economic issues, addressing food insecurity, and improving healthcare access as central themes of his campaign. Menefee also pledged to advocate for student debt relief and living wages.
Edwards expressed gratitude to her supporters, finance team, and volunteers during a speech on Nov. 4. She described her campaign as focused on building a district where every resident can thrive regardless of background.
“Those are the meat and potatoes issues, as they say, that are critically important if we’re going to have a community where we reach our full potential,” Edwards said. “And it’s not enough to me just for us to fight back against these attacks waged by our president. We must do that and forge a path for our future.”
State Rep. Jolanda Jones finished third with 14,524 votes, or 19.09%. Isaiah Martin, a community advocate, earned 4,336 votes (5.70%), while Republican Carmen Maria Montiel received 5,107 votes (6.71%).
Gov. Greg Abbott hasn’t scheduled the runoff, but it’s expected to take place in January or February..
“We have another journey ahead of us. We have another race, and I think what we learned from this first round of voting is that the community is with us overwhelmingly,” Menefee explained. “But I’m gonna have to keep running. I am still running. I’m running in the runoff and I am running in the 2026 primary.”
Edwards said she wants to make sure residents of the district have opportunities to thrive.
“It has always been about making sure that we create an 18th Congressional District where each and every single person, no matter what their background, no matter where they live, has the opportunity not just to get by day to day,” Edwards said. “But our goal is to truly have people thrive each and every single day.”
