Overview

• Amanda Edwards, who served on Houston City Council from 2016 to 2020, officially declared her candidacy for the 18th Congressional District seat on March 19, 2025.
• The district, a Democratic stronghold with deep historical ties to Houston’s Black community, was previously represented by prominent figures like Barbara Jordan and Sheila Jackson Lee.
• Edwards emphasized her focus on healthcare access, economic stability, and disaster recovery as key priorities for her campaign.
• Other candidates, including Harris County Attorney Christian Menefee and State Rep. Jolanda Jones, have also announced or are considering their candidacies for the seat.
• Governor Greg Abbott has yet to announce the timing of the special election to fill the vacancy created by Sylvester Turner’s death earlier this month.