Christian Menefee and Al Green Headed to Runoff for Democratic Nomination in Newly Redrawn TX-18 U.S. Representatives Christian Menefee and Al Green are set to face off in a May 26 runoff for the Democratic nomination in Texas’ 18th Congressional District. Neither candidate secured a majority of votes in the March 3 primary, with Menefee and Green narrowly trailing each other. Menefee, a 37-year-old former Harris County attorney, and Green, a 78-year-old longtime congressman, both vied for the seat representing Houston, which was vacated by the late U.S. Rep. Sylvester Turner in March 2025. The race, which included two additional candidates—Amanda Edwards and Gretchen Brown—was shaped by the state’s recent redistricting efforts. Texas Republicans redrew congressional maps last summer to favor the GOP, creating a new 18th District that spans Harris and Fort Bend counties. This district, historically a stronghold for Black Democrats, has become a battleground as the redrawn boundaries shifted voters between districts. Green, who previously represented the 9th District, moved to the 18th after his home and many constituents were relocated to the new district. Menefee, who won a special election to fill Turner’s seat in January, now faces Green in the runoff. Early results showed Green leading with 47.8% of the vote, compared to Menefee’s 41.8%, according to the Texas Secretary of State’s website. The Associated Press estimated Menefee’s lead at 46% to 44.2% with 99% of votes counted. In Harris County, Menefee held a stronger position, securing 51.5% of the vote, while Green received 38.2%. In Fort Bend County, Green dominated with 63.2% of the vote, versus 28.9% for Menefee. The primary marks the second election for the 18th District in less than a month, following a special election to replace Turner.#texas_legislature #sylvester_turner #christian_menefee #al_green #tx_18_district
Green, Menefee headed to a runoff in Texas House Democratic primary Rep. Al Green, a long-serving Democratic congressman, faces a runoff election against fellow Democrat Rep. Christian Menefee in Texas’s 18th House district. The race, set for May 26, marks a critical moment for Green, who has repeatedly sought to impeach former President Donald Trump without success. Menefee, 38, narrowly edged Green in the initial round of voting, securing a lead of nearly 1,800 votes with 99% of ballots counted. If Green loses, it would represent a significant setback for the 79-year-old lawmaker, who has held his seat for over two decades. The runoff stems from a controversial redistricting plan approved by the Texas Legislature last year, which aimed to reshape congressional boundaries to favor Republican candidates. The new map, which has drawn legal challenges, has placed several Democratic incumbents in competitive races against one another. Green’s district, traditionally a stronghold for Democrats in southwest Houston, has been redrawn to include more Republican-leaning areas, forcing him to campaign in a territory far from his traditional base. Green’s political career has been marked by high-profile clashes with the Trump administration. In 2025, he was escorted from the House chamber after repeatedly interrupting and shouting during a speech by Trump. The House later voted to censure him for his behavior. House Democratic leaders, including Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, have expressed frustration with Green’s confrontational tactics, urging members to avoid public confrontations with Trump.#rep_al_green #rep_christian_menefee #rep_hakeem_jeffries #rep_colin_allred #texas_legislature
