Early voting is underway for Texas’ 18th Congressional District seat. It runs from Jan. 21, by Tuesday, Jan. 27, whereas election Day voting is on Saturday, Jan. 31.
On this runoff election, voters are being requested to resolve between two distinguished Democrats, Harris County Legal professional Christian Menefee and former Houston Metropolis Councilmember Amanda Edwards.
Day 2 of Early Voting! 🗳️
What’s on the poll? The U.S. Congressional District 18 Particular Runoff Election for an unexpired time period. Voters registered in CD-18 (2021 map) are eligible. Verify your customized pattern poll to see if this election applies to you.#HarrisVotes #CD18 pic.twitter.com/tLUMK3YJAV
— Harris County Elections Division (@HarrisVotes) January 22, 2026
The runoff comes after months of absence in illustration within the traditionally Black, Democratic stronghold, following the deaths of Congressmembers Sheila Jackson Lee and Sylvester Turner, who was additionally the previous mayor of Houston and a state consultant.
Within the Nov. 4 particular election, Menefee and Edwards have been the highest two finishers out of 16 candidates. Since each fell in need of the 50% threshold, with Menefee receiving 28.9% and Edwards 25.6%, they’re now headed to a runoff.
Nevertheless, the winner of this January runoff will serve solely by the tip of the present time period.
Quickly after this, they need to run in a separate March major that may decide who seems on the poll for a newly redrawn district.
In interviews with the Houston Defender, each Edwards and Menefee made the case for why they imagine they’re finest ready to serve the district.
Edwards: “This seat belongs to the folks”
Edwards described the function of a member of Congress as one rooted in illustration and accountability, quite than private ambition.
“The person who serves on this 18th Congressional District seat is there to characterize you,” Edwards mentioned. “We regularly take into consideration these seats as belonging to people, however they actually belong to the folks.”
She mentioned her focus might be on points she recognized as central to district residents, together with healthcare, financial alternative, equitable catastrophe reduction, and training. Edwards argued that her background positions her to be efficient instantly.
“One of many issues that’s vital to notice in Congress, you’ve bought to convey dwelling sources in your district,” Edwards mentioned. “That’s a key element of the job and one which we definitely take into consideration when catastrophe strikes. I’ve not solely served as a public finance legal professional, bringing dwelling public {dollars} to public initiatives, however I’ve additionally had the chance to convey dwelling billions of {dollars} as a metropolis council member.”
Edwards additionally referenced her expertise in policymaking roles, noting that legislative work requires understanding how one can draft and oppose payments.
When requested about fundraising and a marketing campaign electronic mail despatched by Menefee’s workforce that learn, “Menefee Outraises Edwards by Extra Than $200,000 Forward of Early Voting Begin,” Edwards mentioned she had not reviewed her opponent’s filings however careworn that fundraising totals don’t essentially decide election outcomes.
“We’re very happy with the sources that we have been in a position to increase for our plan,” Edwards mentioned. “This occurs usually the place candidates get outspent in sure markets or sure arenas. The group is aware of me…trusts me, and is aware of that that is lengthy overdue. Individuals put extra weight on sources than they should. You’ve bought to place extra weight into getting in the true belief of the group, and I’ve earned that, and nobody can take that away.”
Edwards additionally spoke about persistence and continuity, saying the district has skilled instability with overlapping elections and redrawn boundaries.
“As soon as I get sworn in, I plan to remain there, for so long as the general public will permit,” she mentioned.
Menefee: “Individuals need a fighter who’s going to ship outcomes”
Menefee, in the meantime, solid himself as a combat-ready chief formed by authorized battles towards Republican management on the state and nationwide degree.
“What folks need is somebody who’s going to face as much as Donald Trump, Republicans in Congress who’ve stripped us of SNAP advantages, made it harder to entry Medicaid, reduce a lot of federal funds, laid off federal staff and all the things they will to make America much less reasonably priced and to make it harder for common people to have their truthful shot on the American Dream,” Menefee mentioned.
Menefee argued that Washington’s present energy dynamics require an aggressive posture. He mentioned he’ll draw from his experiences because the Harris County Legal professional if elected.
“We’re going to be sending anyone as much as Congress who’s going to be voting on vital stuff, on catastrophe restoration, making an attempt to vary the minimal wage, and reining within the Trump administration,” he mentioned. “I’ve been that particular person as county legal professional who you possibly can belief to struggle so that you can win, to ship outcomes for our communities. I’ll be the very same particular person in Congress.”
Menefee additionally embraced his marketing campaign’s fundraising edge, describing it as grassroots-driven quite than institutional.
“We’ve got had 1000’s of {dollars} or 1000’s of donors who’ve chipped in only a few bucks to make it possible for our marketing campaign is ready to maintain going,” he mentioned.
If elected, Menefee mentioned his rapid precedence could be restoring management to the district’s congressional workplace and strengthening constituent providers.
“I need folks to know…you bought a difficulty with a federal program, Medicare, Medicaid, Social Safety, you’re a veteran who’s having points with the VA hospital, you’re an immigrant who’s making an attempt to navigate our immigration processes, I need you to come back to the 18th Congressional District Workplace, and we’re going that will help you,” he mentioned.
Each fear about voter turnout
Early Voting for the January 31, 2026, Particular Runoff Election for CD-18 is underway and runs from January 21–27. 🗳️
Make your plan to vote at https://t.co/UnDVEDlunk.#CD18 #HarrisVotes #2026Elections pic.twitter.com/B08witzTdY
— Harris County Elections Division (@HarrisVotes) January 21, 2026
Menefee acknowledged frustration brought on by delayed elections and redistricting however urged residents to not disengage.
“That is precisely what Donald Trump and Greg Abbott needed after they redistricted our communities, stripped communities away from one another to place them into totally different districts,” he mentioned. “They need you to disengage. They need you to not wish to take part within the course of in order that they will maintain their slim majority in Congress. You’ve bought to maintain going to the polls and voting.”
He framed voting as an act of resistance. “Don’t allow them to win,” Menefee mentioned. “You’ve bought to get out, solid your poll, and ensure your voice is heard.”
Edwards additionally expressed issues concerning the “overlapping” elections and the potential for a low voter turnout.
“They’re [voters] confused by it, they usually don’t even know the place to start out or start as a result of nobody is anticipating a runoff election in January of 2026 for an election that happened in November of 2025,” she mentioned. “There are solely 17 early voting areas. It’s a shortened time frame. It’s in a month and yr, nobody expects. And nobody’s speaking concerning the race, in a broader context, like they have been earlier than.”
To counter this, she prompt that voters entry sources on harrisvotes.com and “make a plan to vote” in massive numbers.
For voters in Texas’ 18th Congressional District, the choice comes at an uncommon second. The winner of the January runoff will inherit an workplace nonetheless reeling from loss and months with out illustration, then nearly instantly be thrust again onto the marketing campaign path for a March major that may decide the district’s longer-term future.
Each Edwards and Menefee argue they’re able to step into that instability and supply management.
However, with an overlapping election calendar and widespread confusion, the result might hinge on voter participation and grassroots efforts.
