Democrat Christian Menefee has won the special election for Texas‘s 18th District and will now serve in the U.S. House of Representatives.
Menefee beat out fellow Democrat Amanda Edwards 67.5% to 32.5% in the special runoff election for the 18th District, which includes much of Houston and areas north of the city. Both had advanced to the Saturday runoff after failing to secure a majority but being the top two vote-getters.
In his election night speech, Menefee, flanked by supporters, vowed to oppose President Donald Trump and his agenda.
“The results here tonight are a mandate for me to work as hard as I can to oppose your agenda, to fight back against where you’re taking this country, and to investigate your crimes,” he told the crowd.
A former Harris County attorney, Menefee will succeed the late Rep. Sylvester Turner, who died mere months after taking office in 2025 and whose seat was vacant for nearly a year.
The election was ultimately a shoo-in for Democrats, as the lone Republican in the race failed to secure enough votes to proceed to the runoff, and it will further shrink Republicans’ majority in the House.
House Democrats previously called on Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) to quickly swear in the winner of the race, as they accused Gov. Greg Abbott (R-TX) of delaying the election. But the swearing-in ceremony for Menefee could be held up by the partial government shutdown and the House needing to pass the Senate’s version of the appropriations bills. The House is due to return to Washington, D.C., on Monday.
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Menefee might also not hold on to the seat for long, despite the district being solidly Democratic.
After his win, he already faces the prospect of a March 3 primary that would see him go up against Rep. Al Green (D-TX), who switched districts after state Republicans redrew the congressional map. If Menefee loses that primary, he would technically be in office for under a year.
