Amanda Edwards suspends campaign for 18th Congressional District

Her name will still appear on the March 2026 primary ballot

Published on Feb. 9, 2026

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

Amanda Edwards has suspended her congressional campaign for Texas' 18th Congressional District, but her name will still appear on the March 2026 primary ballot. Edwards said her commitment to public service and community advocacy remains unchanged, and she plans to relaunch her Do Something Houston Voter Registration Initiative to encourage voter engagement ahead of upcoming elections.

Why it matters

Edwards' decision to suspend her campaign comes after she lost a special election runoff in District 18, where voters selected Christian Menefee to fill the seat for the remainder of the current term. While the special election decided the immediate representative, the March primary will determine the candidates for the full congressional term beginning in January 2027, which is why Edwards' name will still appear on the ballot.

The details

Edwards announced the suspension of her campaign in a statement shared on social media, thanking supporters for their 'steadfast support' and saying her 'commitment to serving and advocating for the community remains unchanged.' She plans to relaunch her Do Something Houston Voter Registration Initiative to encourage voter engagement ahead of upcoming elections.

  • Edwards lost the special election runoff in Texas' 18th Congressional District in early 2026.
  • The March 2026 primary election will determine the candidates for the full congressional term beginning in January 2027.

The players

Amanda Edwards

A former candidate for Congress in Texas' 18th Congressional District who has suspended her campaign, but her name will still appear on the March 2026 primary ballot.

Christian Menefee

The candidate who was selected by voters in a special election runoff to fill the remainder of the current term in Texas' 18th Congressional District.

Sylvester Turner

The former U.S. Representative for Texas' 18th Congressional District, who passed away in March 2025, leaving the seat vacant for nearly a year.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“Thank you all for your steadfast support of my campaign for Congress. Although my name will appear on the March 2026 Primary ballot, I have decided to suspend my campaign for Congress.”

— Amanda Edwards, Former Congressional Candidate (Twitter)

“My commitment to serving and advocating for the community remains unchanged. I cannot thank you enough for working with me to elevate people over politics and to deliver results for our community.”

— Amanda Edwards, Former Congressional Candidate (Twitter)

What’s next

The Democratic primary ballot for District 18 includes multiple candidates, and the race remains one of several high-profile contests voters will see in March 2026.

The takeaway

Edwards' decision to suspend her campaign but keep her name on the ballot highlights the complex nature of elections, where special elections can determine immediate representation while primary elections determine the candidates for the full term. Her commitment to voter engagement and community advocacy suggests she will remain an influential figure in local politics.