After securing victory within the race for Texas’ 18th Congressional District, Christian Menefee stated his first precedence in Congress is to verify residents lastly really feel represented once more.
Menefee, the previous Harris County Lawyer, was sworn in on Feb. 2, stepping right into a seat that has been with out full illustration for practically a yr following the deaths of Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee after which Congressman Sylvester Turner.
Texas GOP Gov. Greg Abbott didn’t schedule the primary spherical of voting till November for the Black and Democratic stronghold.
Menefee accused Abbott of delaying the election and making an attempt to weaken the district’s political voice, and he pledged to oppose President Donald Trump’s insurance policies.
“I need folks in our communities to know that they’ve an workplace that they’ll go to after they’re having points with Medicare, the VA hospital, social safety, a spot that they’ll go to get their questions answered and their issues solved, whether or not it’s immigration case work or something.”
Congressman Christian Menefee
“I need folks in our communities to know that they’ve an workplace that they’ll go to after they’re having points with Medicare, the VA hospital, social safety, a spot that they’ll go to get their questions answered and their issues solved, whether or not it’s immigration case work or something,” Menefee stated.
Menefee received a particular runoff election, amassing 68.4% of the vote in comparison with his Democratic challenger, Amanda Edwards, who acquired 31.6%, in accordance with outcomes launched Saturday night time by the Harris County Clerk’s Workplace.
He must instantly marketing campaign once more for this seat within the Democratic main in opposition to Edwards and U.S. Rep. Al Inexperienced, the incumbent consultant for TX-9.
Menefee and Edwards had been the highest two finishers out of 16 candidates on this previous November’s particular election. Since each fell wanting the 50% threshold, they needed to face one another for the January runoff.
Restoring on a regular basis stability
In an interview with the Defender, Menefee framed his agenda round decreasing prices and strengthening the financial footing of working households, saying the promise of a steady, middle-class life has slipped out of attain for a lot of.
“My focus has all the time been ensuring that individuals who stay in our districts get more cash again of their pockets and that we drive prices down so that people can afford to have a terrific life on this nation,” he stated.
Pointing to growing the Earned Revenue Tax Credit score and Little one Tax Credit score, Menefee stated he would advocate for elevating the federal minimal wage from $7.25 an hour.
He additionally promised help for small companies and dashing up FEMA catastrophe support after storms.
Menefee added that at present’s economic system forces many Individuals to work longer hours for much less safety than earlier generations, and stated federal coverage ought to assist restore what he known as a primary stage of dignity.
Bipartisanship by relationships
With the U.S. Home narrowly divided, Menefee stated progress will rely upon interpersonal relationships throughout occasion strains.
He touted his observe as county legal professional to advance measures that his colleagues in Congress may not help.
“I’m no stranger to with the ability to accomplice with individuals who view the world otherwise than I do,” Menefee added.
He cited partnering with Republican leaders to cease landfill enlargement in underserved Houston communities and dealing with Texas’ Republican Lawyer Common Ken Paxton to push again in opposition to vaping firms concentrating on youth.
These experiences, he stated, present he can collaborate with political opponents when native communities are at stake.
Balancing governance and campaigning
BIG NEWS: After 334 days of getting no voice in Congress, TX-18 will lastly have illustration.
I’m informed I will likely be sworn in tonight round 5:30pm-5:50pm CT.
Tune in Houston, that is your second.
Watch: https://t.co/leZIDFyPbK pic.twitter.com/RB2YJUflIo
— Christian D. Menefee (@CDMenefee) February 2, 2026
Menefee’s win comes throughout an uncommon election cycle.
Whereas he takes workplace now, a March Democratic main will decide who runs for a full time period below newly redrawn district strains.
When requested by the Defender how he’ll steadiness constituent providers and the continuing marketing campaign for the March elections, Menefee joked, “The reply is sure.”
“It’s going to be main work for certain, however what folks count on out of their member is to have the ability to juggle all these issues,” he stated. “I’m up for the job. I understand how to stroll and chew gum.”
Menefee solid his new position as a part of an extended legacy of outspoken management from the 18th District, invoking figures corresponding to Barbara Jordan, Mickey Leland, Craig Washington, Jackson Lee, and Turner.
“There’s a transparent by line between these of us, and that’s the skill to point out the face of the 18th Congressional District to a nationwide viewers, understanding the unbelievable cultural variety that we’ve got in our communities, the grit, the hardworking nature, the neighborly love, and spreading that message throughout the nation,” he stated. “I plan to be an advocate on the problems which might be necessary to my district…whether or not it’s at a barbershop within the district or it’s on nationwide information.”
The victory speech
In his election night time speech, Menefee repeatedly returned to private and neighborhood tales because the spine of his marketing campaign.
He spoke about households combating meals insecurity whereas dealing with cuts to vitamin help packages, tying that to his circle of relatives’s expertise benefiting from WIC.
Menefee additionally shared his brother’s battle with most cancers, made survivable, he stated, due to navy well being advantages that coated expensive remedy.
These tales, per the brand new Congressman, clarify why he helps strengthening the social security internet, defending SNAP and WIC, overhauling immigration enforcement, and pushing for common well being protection.
“That is all the time a marketing campaign about tales in regards to the good that authorities can do, that authorities will be an instrument of fine when you’ve got public servants who put folks first and who work arduous,” he stated in his speech.
Menefee additionally used his speech to attract contrasts with Republican management at each the state and federal ranges.
