Christian Menefee defeated veteran congressman Al Green in the Democratic primary runoff for Texas's 18th Congressional District on May 26, 2026. Menefee secured 68.6% of the vote, with 21,678 ballots cast in his favor to Green’s 9,930, or 31.4% [1, 2, 3].
The runoff was triggered after the March primary, where Menefee and Green were the top two candidates but neither won a majority. Sources differ on exact March primary percentages, with one reporting Menefee at 46% and Green at 44.2%, while another did not specify exact figures [2, 3].
The race developed after Texas’s GOP-led redistricting combined two incumbent Democrats into the same district. Green represented Houston's 9th District for over 20 years but had to run in the 18th after his old district was redrawn [1, 2, 3]. Menefee was sworn in January after winning a special election to fill the late Rep. Sylvester Turner's vacant 18th District seat [1, 2].
Green has been a vocal critic of former President Donald Trump, having pushed multiple impeachment efforts and protested at State of the Union addresses [1, 3]. During the campaign, Green accused Menefee of ties to big-money crypto interests and accepting donations from crypto super PACs [1, 2, 3]. Menefee dismissed these attacks as "desperate," saying, "Tonight belongs to the people of this district. This is your victory, and I will spend every day in Washington making sure it means something" [2, 3].
Menefee also called on voters to confront GOP control, saying, "Republicans have made this hard on purpose. In November, we have the opportunity to change the leadership of this state, and I am calling on every voter in Texas to seize it" [2].
Menefee’s runoff win allows him to retain the 18th District seat for the term starting in 2027 [2, 3]. He will face Republican newcomer Ronald Whitfield in the November general election for the seat [2, 3].
