Will probably be at the very least another month earlier than District 18 will get a Congressional consultant. Voters will return to the polls for a runoff election after no candidate secured greater than 50% of the vote within the Nov. 4 particular election to fill Houston’s open Congressional District 18 seat, a seat that has been with out illustration in Washington for almost a 12 months. With 77 p.c of the precincts reporting, Harris County Lawyer Christian Menefee garnered 29.35% of the vote, whereas former Houston Metropolis Council member Amanda Edwards acquired 25.67%. State Consultant Jolanda Jones got here in third with 18.74%. Governor Greg Abbott will set a runoff election for January or February of 2026.
Menefee says he’ll battle till the top for this seat. “For months, as this seat sat vacant, I heard from voters who had been prepared for somebody keen to tackle Donald Trump and the far proper—not simply discuss change, however ship actual outcomes. I’m proud that we’ve earned the belief and help of so many citizens.”
“We’re getting into this runoff neck and neck with my opponent with the group behind us,” Edwards mentioned. “On no account am I the institution candidate on this race; I’m the ‘Folks’s Candidate’ and my monitor document for delivering outcomes for the folks will assist propel me ahead on this runoff.”
The race to succeed the late Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee, who served almost three a long time in Congress, and former Houston Mayor and Congressman Sylvester Turner, drew a brand new technology of Democratic hopefuls, together with 13 candidates along with Menefee, Edwards, and Jones.
With such a crowded discipline, a runoff election was anticipated and has now arrange one other spherical of voting to find out who will carry ahead the legacy of management on this traditionally Black and politically influential district.
Turnout throughout Harris County
Election officers reported a gentle stream of voters all through the day. As of two p.m. Tuesday, greater than 102,000 voters had already forged ballots, in accordance with Harris County Clerk Teneshia Hudspeth. Whereas last numbers haven’t been launched, turnout was anticipated to achieve almost 200,000 voters by day’s finish.
“The sheer dimension of Harris County is the mixture of 25 states put collectively,” Hudspeth mentioned.
Early voting turnout reached 8%, with greater than 212,000 voters casting ballots between Oct. 20–31 — barely decrease than the 239,000 who voted early over the past state constitutional modification election in November 2023.
Houston Metropolis Council At‑Massive Place 4
The particular election for Houston Metropolis Council At‑Massive Place 4, which covers Houston citywide seats, additionally offers perception into native energy. This place was on the poll to fill incumbent Letitia Plummer’s seat, following her automated resignation underneath Texas’ “resign-to-run” legislation when she launched a bid for Harris County Decide earlier this 12 months.
Election numbers present Dwight A. Boykins, a former Houston Metropolis Council member, and Alejandra Salinas, an lawyer, heading to a runoff election. Whereas Boykins bagged about 23% of the votes, Salinas acquired 22%.
HISD trustee races
Town’s largest faculty district, Houston Impartial College District, will see new elected trustees, amidst the Texas Training Company’s state intervention, which retains them from its day-to-day decision-making. 5 of HISD’s 9 trustee seats: Districts I, V, VI, VII and IX had been on the Nov. 4, 2025, poll.
Trustee District V: Maria Benzon received with 67% of the vote in opposition to Robbie McDonough’s 32%.
Trustee District VI: Michael McDonough received with 61% in opposition to Kendall Baker’s 39%.
Trustee District VII: Bridget Wade received with 53% in opposition to Audrey Nath’s 47%.
Houston Metropolis Council At-Massive Place 4: Dwight A. Boykins (23%) and Alejandra Salinas (22%) are headed to a runoff election.
Statewide amendments
All 17 proposed constitutional amendments on the poll handed with voter approval.
Texans had been requested to vote “Sure” or “No” on the amendments, overlaying a variety of points: tax exemptions, property and enterprise regulatory modifications, parental rights, citizen‑voting necessities, water infrastructure funding, dementia analysis, judiciary oversight and border/safety points.
As a result of all amendments require a easy majority to cross, the outcomes will reshape the Texas Structure in main methods.
