Texas Congressional Candidate Christian Menefee speaks to supporters during his watch party at The Post Houston on Election Day, in Houston, Saturday, Jan. 31, 2026. (AP Photo/Karen Warren)
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(AURN News) — Democrats scored a major victory in Texas after Christian Menefee won the runoff in the special election for Texas’ 18th Congressional District.
The historic seat was once held by the late Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee and most recently by the late Rep. Sylvester Turner.
Harris County Attorney Christian D. Menefee, the youngest and first African American to hold the post, is running for Texas’ 18th Congressional District — a seat once represented by Barbara Jordan and Sheila Jackson Lee, and most recently by the late Sylvester Turner. (Photo courtesy of Christian Menefee)
Menefee is the first Black man elected Harris County attorney and consistently led a crowded field during the race.
His campaign focused on civil rights, health care and the future of social safety net programs — issues central to debate for voters in Houston and nationwide.
Harris County Attorney Christian D. Menefee. (Photo courtesy of Christian Menefee)
Menefee will serve the remainder of Turner’s term, which ends in January 2027.
Another election is scheduled for March 3, when Menefee will compete in the Democratic primary for the newly redrawn district against former Houston City Council member Amanda Edwards — his runoff opponent — and Rep. Al Green, who is also seeking the seat.
Jamie Jackson is an Emmy-nominated television and radio broadcaster who has served American Urban Radio Networks since 2015. He previously covered the Obama and Trump administrations as a White House Correspondent and Pool Reporter for AURN News. Jamie hosted a national PBS television special in 2023 and over the years has worked as a TV news anchor and local NPR host for stations across the country. His work has been honored by numerous organizations, including the NAACP and the Virginia Farm Bureau.
