What's happening?
As previously reported by Community Impact, 16 candidates ran in the Nov. 4 special-called election for District 18, including five Republicans, seven Democrats, three independent candidates and one Green Party candidate. The top two vote-getters—Democratic candidates Christian Dashaun Menefee and Amanda Edwards—received 28.9%, or 22,022 votes, and 25.55%, or 19,467 votes, respectively, per results posted on the Harris County Clerk's Office website.
As neither candidate received more than 50% of the vote, Menefee and Edwards will face each other once again in a special runoff election Jan. 31. Per the proclamation, early voting will run from Jan. 21-27.
Some context
As previously reported by Community Impact, a special election was held to fill the vacant seat after incumbent Sylvester Turner, who previously served as Houston mayor, died in March. In November 2024, Turner was elected to the vacant seat after former U.S. Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee died in July 2024.
Members of the U.S. House of Representatives are elected for a two-year term with no term limits. District 18 covers portions of north and central Houston.
Something to note
Voters should note the special runoff election for District 18 is being held separately from other Nov. 4 races that resulted in a runoff. A joint runoff election for Houston City Council's At-Large Position 4 and Houston City College Trustee for District II will be held Dec. 13, with early voting running Dec. 1-9, per information on the Harris County Clerk's Office website.
