Governor Sets Special Election Date for TX-18
Governor Greg Abbott has officially scheduled the special election for Texas’ 18th Congressional District for November 4. The seat has remained vacant since the passing of former longtime State Representative, Mayor of Houston, and Congressman Sylvester Turner on March 5, and will now continue to be unfilled for several more months. You can read the Governor’s proclamation here.
Field of Candidates Begins to Take Shape
The race to fill this historically significant seat is already drawing a crowded field. Christian Menefee, the Acting Harris County Attorney, and Amanda Edwards, a former Houston City Council Member who ran for the seat in 2024, have formally launched their campaigns.
They are joined by Isaiah Martin, a former advisor to Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee, James Joseph, a former Houston City Council candidate, energy lobbyist Zoe Cadore, and a slew of other candidates.
Overall, more than 15 people have announced a run for the open seat as of May 1. In addition to these early entrants, multiple other individuals have expressed interest, and the extended timeline before the election could encourage even more candidates to join the race.
Key Deadlines for Voters and Candidates
Candidates wanting to appear on the special election ballot must file by September 3. Early voting will begin on Monday, October 20, and continue through Friday, October 31, giving voters two weeks to cast their ballots ahead of Election Day on November 4.
