The big picture
Elizabeth Vences and Ronald Dwayne Whitfield are vying for the Republican nomination. The winning Republican candidate will face the winner of the Democratic nomination in November; the winner of that election will begin serving District 18 in January 2027. Gretchen Brown, Amanda Edwards, Al Green and Christian Dashaun Menefee will compete for the Democratic nomination.
Members of the U.S. House of Representatives are elected for a two-year term with no term limits. Following congressional redistricting, which will take effect in January 2027, District 18 will cover portions of southwest, central and northeast Houston.
Something to note
The March primary election is separate from the Nov. 4 special election that was held to fill the vacant congressional seat following the death of incumbent Sylvester Turner in March.
The special election, which had 16 candidates, resulted in a runoff election between the top two vote-getters: Menefee and Edwards. A special runoff election will be held Jan. 31, with the winner serving Congressional District 18 for the remainder of Turner's unexpired term, which ends in January 2027, before new members of Congress are sworn in.
For the special runoff election, District 18 will follow the current district map, which covers portions of north, west and east Houston.
For more information about the special runoff election, click here.
What you need to know
Candidates were asked to keep responses under 50 words, answer the questions provided and avoid attacking opponents. Answers may have been edited or cut to adhere to those guidelines, or for style and clarity.
For more information about voting in Harris County, visit www.harrisvotes.com. For more election coverage, visit communityimpact.com/voter-guide.
Elizabeth Vences (R)
Occupation & Experience:
Accountant; served as election judge and alternate judge, and have been Precinct Chair 977 for ...
Candidate Website:
https://www.elizabethvencesforcongress.com
Contact Information:
346-932-4676
Why are you running for office?
I have helped Houston and surrounding area residents for decades through my multiservice office. My work includes, but is not limited to, assisting with documents, insurance, home sales, and tax returns. This experience revealed how many in our community struggle, and I want to serve officially to make a real difference.
If elected, what will your priorities be regarding property taxes and housing affordability?
I applaud Governor Abbott for increasing property tax exemptions, but I will fight to ensure relief reaches all residents. I fight to protect long-time homeowners from rising values caused by new or rebuilt homes and advocate for affordable housing with down payment assistance in lower-income areas.
How will you ensure your district is prepared for extreme weather and flooding?
I will make sure all residents receive critical information and personally seek out the most vulnerable to assist. This includes improving drainage, updating flood maps, supporting emergency plans, and investing in resilient infrastructure to help our community stay safe and recover quickly from extreme weather and flooding.
How do you plan to involve residents in the decision-making process?
I will keep an open line of communication with residents, maintain a database of all concerns, assist directly or connect them to resources, seek feedback on bills requiring my vote, and ensure my staff always prioritizes meeting the needs of our district.
With district boundaries and representation changing, how will you ensure your constituents have the resources they need?
As district boundaries and representation change, I will maintain open lines of communication with constituents. If changes affect them, I will provide timely notice. Regardless of any changes, my office will remain accessible and continue to offer assistance to anyone who needs our support throughout the transition period and beyond.
Ronald Dwayne Whitfield (R)
Occupation & Experience:
Candidate did not respond to questionnaire by press time.
Why are you running for office?
Candidate did not respond to questionnaire by press time.
If elected, what will your priorities be regarding property taxes and housing affordability?
Candidate did not respond to questionnaire by press time.
How will you ensure your district is prepared for extreme weather and flooding?
Candidate did not respond to questionnaire by press time.
How do you plan to involve residents in the decision-making process?
Candidate did not respond to questionnaire by press time.
With district boundaries and representation changing, how will you ensure your constituents have the resources they need?
Candidate did not respond to questionnaire by press time.
