Texas Democratic Delegation Requests Runoff Between Christian Menefee and Amanda Edwards

In a letter sent to Governor Greg Abbott, members of the Texas Democratic Delegation urge Governor Abbott to set a runoff election date for Texas’s 18th congressional district.

According to a press release, Congresswoman Sylvia Garcia (D-TX-29) and Congressman Al Green (D-TX-09) led the delegation in writing the letter. 

“The people of Texas’s 18th Congressional District deserve representation in Congress,” the delegates wrote. “And all Texans deserve a full and strong Texas congressional delegation working for the good of the state and its people.”

Texas’s 18th congressional district remains empty since the passing of the late Representative Sylvester Turner. A special election was held to fill the seat.

Sixteen candidates ran for election in Houston to fill that vacant seat on Nov. 4.

Democrats Christian Menefee, a current Harris County Attorney, and Amanda Edwards, a former At-Large Houston City councilwoman, won a combined majority with Menefee in the lead. However, a runoff election must be held because neither candidate won 50% of the vote. 

Both of the Democratic campaigns are firmly in opposition to the Trump Administration. “We’ve got one more race to win, and then @realdonaldtrump is gonna have to see me,” Menefee expressed in a tweet after the election earlier this month. 

In the letter, the members address that, by law, the governor must set a date for this election.

“As Governor, it is your constitutional duty to set this election date in a timely manner. It is time to finally give the constituents of Texas's 18th District the voice they deserve," the letter reads. "We urge you to promptly schedule the runoff and fill the seat as soon as possible.”

As of Nov. 17, Governor Greg Abbott has set the date for Jan. 31, 2026. Early voting for the district's constituents will begin Jan. 21.