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Gov. Abbott Sets November 4 Special Election for Texas’ 18th Congressional District

The decision comes after weeks of Democratic pressure and legal threats to address the vacancy left by Rep. Sylvester Turner's death in March.

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott sits before President Donald Trump arrives to speak at an education event and executive order signing in the East Room of the White House in Washington, Thursday, March 20, 2025. (AP Photo/Ben Curtis)
A special election has been called to replace the congressional seat of U.S. Rep. Sylvester Turner, who died last month at the age of 70.
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Texas Gov. Greg Abbott attends the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) in Dallas, on Aug. 4, 2022.

Overview

  • Gov. Greg Abbott announced November 4, 2025, as the special election date to fill the congressional seat left vacant by Sylvester Turner's death on March 5.
  • Turner, who succeeded Sheila Jackson Lee earlier this year, represented Texas’ 18th District, a solidly Democratic area in Houston with historical significance.
  • Democratic lawmakers, including Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, criticized the delay in scheduling the election and threatened legal action against Abbott.
  • Abbott cited Harris County’s past election management issues, asserting that the November timeline allows adequate preparation for a secure election.
  • Candidate filings for the special election are due by September 3, with early voting set to begin on October 20.