Sixteen candidates are running in the special general election for Texas’ 18th Congressional District on November 4, 2025. Candidates from all parties are running in the election, and if no one wins an outright majority, the top two candidates will advance to a runoff. The winner of this election will be the fourth person to represent the district since 2024 and will serve the remainder of Turner’s term through January 2027.

Former Rep. Sylvester Turner (D) died on March 5, 2025. Turner was elected in November 2024. A committee from the Democratic Party in the district nominated Turner to replace former Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee (D) on the 2024 general election ballot after Lee died on July 19, 2024. Before her death, Lee represented the district from 1995 to 2024.

This special election could have implications on legislative votes in the House. According to The Texas Tribune: “With Turner’s seat vacant, the House breaks down to 220 Republicans and 213 Democrats, allowing the GOP to win a majority on the floor even with three defections from their ranks. If Turner’s seat were filled, likely by a Democrat, the GOP could withstand only two defections.”

Four candidates—Amanda Edwards (D), Jolanda Jones (D), Christian Menefee (D), and Carmen Montiel (R)—lead in media attention, polling, and endorsements.

• Edwards is an attorney and founded a nonprofit. She was elected at-large to the Houston City Council in 2015 and was a member of the council from 2016 to 2020. Her campaign website says she is “laser-focused on delivering transformative results for the community, from lowering the price of groceries, building better schools, roads, and homes, protecting our healthcare and social security, and standing up to the Trump administration.” U.S. Reps. Lateefah Simon (D-Calif.) and Jennifer McClellan (D-Va.) endorsed Edwards.
• Jones is an attorney and was elected to represent District 147 in the Texas House of Representatives in 2022. Before she was elected to the state House, Jones was also a member of the Houston City Council and the Houston Independent School District school board. Jones’ campaign website says she will, “fight to stop Trump cuts to healthcare and Medicaid, Social Security, education, and veterans. I’ll fight to lower the cost of prescription drugs, expand coverage for mental health care and substance abuse – and make healthcare more affordable and accessible for all of us.” Former U.S. Rep. Craig Washington (D), who represented the district from 1989 to 1995, and U.S. Rep. Bonnie Watson Coleman (D-N.J.) endorsed Jones.
• Menefee was elected Harris County Attorney in 2020. His campaign website says he “has been engaged in the national legal fight against Trump—challenging his administration’s efforts to cut funding for life-saving medical research and deny birthright citizenship to immigrant families” and that he is running because “Trump and his allies are making life harder for everyday Americans—rolling back voting rights, attacking reproductive freedom, and rigging the economy for billionaires.” Former U.S. Rep. Erica Lee Carter (D), who represented the district for two months after Lee’s death, U.S. Rep. Jasmine Crockett (D-Texas), U.S. Rep. Lizzie Pannill Fletcher (D-Texas), former U.S. Rep. Beto O’Rourke (D-Texas), and former U.S. Rep. Colin Allred (D-Texas) endorsed Menefee.
• Montiel is a real estate broker and former news anchor. According to her campaign website, Montiel grew up in Venezuela and came to the U.S. in 1998. Her campaign website says she “witnessed firsthand the devastating collapse of Venezuela under socialist rule…. That experience drives Carmen’s mission today. She understands, better than most, what happens when a nation abandons its core values. She sees the warning signs in America, and she refuses to stay silent.” Montiel’s campaign website said she would advocate for “secure borders”, “safe communities”, “economic opportunity”, and “education free from political indoctrination.” Former Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst (R) and Texas Commissioner of Agriculture Sid Miller (R) endorsed Montiel.

On September 21, 2025, AfroVibes TV hosted a debate with nine candidates. Edwards, Jones, Menefee, and Montiel all participated. Click here to watch the debate.

According to the candidate’s most recent financial reports filed with the FEC, here’s how much each candidate raised and spent through June 30, 2025. Click here to see each candidate’s campaign finance reports.

• Menefee raised $978,000 and spent $337,000
• Edwards raised $803,000 and spent $181,000
• Jones raised $101,000 and spent $9,400
• Montiel raised $5,000 and spent $2,500

According to the Texas Tribune’s Natalia Contreras, “The 18th Congressional District, which includes inner Houston and surrounding Harris County areas, is home to more than 760,000 people. It was shaped by redistricting that followed the 1965 Voting Rights Act — signed into law by president Lyndon B. Johnson — and deliberately crafted to strengthen minority representation in Houston.”

The Texas Legislature voted to redraw the state’s congressional district boundaries, including those of the 18th District, in August 2025. Governor Greg Abbott (R) signed the new map into law on August 29, 2025. The new map is not scheduled to take effect until after the special election, but will take effect before the March 2026 primary. Click here to learn more about redistricting in Texas ahead of the 2026 elections.

Feldon Bonner II (D), Stephen Huey (D), Isaiah Martin (D), Valencia Williams (D), Theodis Daniel (R), Ollie Knox (R), Carter Page (R), Ronald Whitfield (R), Tammie Rochester (G), Reyna Anderson (Independent), Vince Duncan (Independent), and George Foreman (Independent) are also running.

Huey, Menefee, Montiel, and Rochester completed Ballotpedia’s Candidate Connection survey. Click here to read their responses.

As of Oct. 13, 2025, eight special elections have been called for the 119th Congress. From the 113th Congress to the 118th Congress, 80 special elections were held. For more data on historical congressional special elections, click here.