(AURN News) — Christian Menefee has never been one to fade into the background. At 35, he made history as both the youngest and first Black man elected as Harris County attorney. Now, Menefee has his sights set on Congress, aiming to continue the district’s long legacy of Black representation.
A recent Hobby School poll — the last before voting began on Oct. 20 — showed Menefee with support from 27% of likely voters, placing him at the top of a crowded field. Amanda Edwards and Jolanda Jones are also in the hunt, both trailing behind him.
“It definitely feels like momentum,” he told AURN News. “We’ve picked up some real speed over the past couple of weeks with some of the support that we’ve been seeing,” he added.
“I’m the only candidate in this race who has fought Donald Trump and won, who has fought Gov. Greg Abbott and won,” he said. “That’s resonating with people, and I think the sky’s the limit for how we perform on Nov. 4.”
Menefee also told AURN News that he’s spent the past few weeks walking neighborhoods, fielding questions that rarely have easy answers. The voters he meets are worried — about health care, the fate of SNAP and Medicaid, and whether their families will get left behind. In nearly every conversation, Menefee hears the same concern: “What people are concerned about is the social safety net being ripped out from under them,” he said.
The future of the district hangs in the balance. While a federal court sorts out what the new map will look like, Menefee says his commitment won’t change. For him, the fight is not just about a congressional seat — it’s about something larger. “Our democracy. This is existential,” Menefee said.
Click play to listen to the AURN News report from Jamie Jackson:
