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2d ago

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

The schedule leaves the district unrepresented for roughly 11 months, with a March primary looming under contested maps.

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.
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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.

Overview

  • Gov. Greg Abbott set the special-election runoff for Saturday, Jan. 31, 2026, with early voting Jan. 21–27.
  • Acting Harris County Attorney Christian Menefee (about 29%) and former Houston City Council member Amanda Edwards (about 26%) advanced from the Nov. 4 field of 16 to compete to finish Sylvester Turner’s term.
  • The timing overlaps with preparations for the March 3 primary, where vote-by-mail will be underway; Menefee says he will run for the full term, and Edwards has not announced her plans.
  • A federal court has blocked Texas’ mid-decade congressional map, Attorney General Ken Paxton is seeking Supreme Court review, and Rep. Al Green says he will wait for that decision before choosing which district to seek.
  • Democrats and Harris County officials criticized Abbott’s prolonged timetable, and local analysis says the vacancy benefited Republicans in close House votes, including passage of the president’s spending and tax package.