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11h ago

Abbott Sets Jan. 31 Runoff Between Menefee and Edwards for Texas’ 18th District

The timing leaves the seat unfilled for roughly 11 months before a March primary on newly drawn lines.

Amanda Edwards and Christian Menefee, candidates for the Houston-area congressional seat left vacant by Sylvester Turner's death, will face each other in a runoff election. Gov. Greg Abbott has set Saturday, Jan. 31, 2026, as the election date; early voting will begin Jan. 21.
Gov. Greg Abbott announces his reelection campaign for Texas governor in Houston, Sunday, Nov. 9, 2025.
Democrat Taylor Rehmet, left, and Republican Leigh Wambsganss will face each other in a runoff election for Texas' Senate District 9 seat. Gov. Greg Abbott set the runoff for Saturday, Jan. 31. Early voting will begin Jan. 21.
Democrats Christian Menefee and Amanda Edwards will face off in a Jan. 31 runoff in the special election for Texas' 18th District.

Overview

  • Gov. Greg Abbott scheduled the special-election runoff for Saturday, Jan. 31, 2026, with early voting from Jan. 21–27.
  • Acting Harris County Attorney Christian Menefee and former Houston City Council member Amanda Edwards advanced after no candidate won a majority on Nov. 4.
  • Menefee led the first round with about 28.9% to Edwards’ 25.6%, triggering the required runoff because both fell short of 50%.
  • The runoff winner will serve the remainder of the late Rep. Sylvester Turner’s term, leaving the Houston-based seat vacant for over 330 days.
  • The winner will have little time before the March 2026 primary, as Rep. Al Green has filed to run in the reconfigured 18th District and court challenges to the GOP-drawn map are pending, with the candidate filing deadline on Dec. 8.