Texas Primary: Green vs Menefee

Two Democratic members of Congress face off in a closely watched primary for the 18th Congressional District

Feb. 25, 2026 at 2:12am

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A closely watched Democratic primary in Texas' 18th Congressional District is pitting two current members of Congress, Christian Menefee and Al Green, against each other. The contest, shaped by recent redistricting, will largely determine who represents the reliably blue district for the coming term.

Why it matters

The primary is seen as a test of generational change in Houston politics, where long-serving Democratic members of Congress have historically remained in office for decades. The opening created by the death of Representative Sheila Jackson Lee presented a rare opportunity for an up-and-coming Democrat like Menefee to enter the field.

The details

The unusual matchup stems from a mid-decade redistricting effort by Texas Republicans, which incorporated much of the 9th Congressional District, currently represented by the 20-year House veteran Al Green, into the 18th District. Green, whose home is now within the boundaries of the 18th, is seeking to continue his service in the new configuration. He faces a challenge from Christian Menefee, who recently won a special election runoff to fill the seat vacated by the death of Representative Sylvester Turner.

  • The primary is scheduled for March 3, 2026, with early voting beginning on February 17, 2026.
  • If neither Menefee nor Green secures more than 50 percent of the vote on March 3rd, the top two finishers will advance to a runoff election.

The players

Christian Menefee

A recently elected member of Congress who won a special election runoff to fill the seat vacated by the death of Representative Sylvester Turner.

Al Green

A 20-year House veteran who is seeking to continue his service in the newly redrawn 18th Congressional District.

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What they’re saying

“What we see in the survey is that four-fifths of likely voters have a favorable opinion of both Menefee and Green, but when asked to choose between them, a substantial majority are leaning towards Menefee.”

— Mark Jones, Survey co-author from Rice University's Baker Institute (University of Houston's Hobby School of Public Affairs)

What’s next

If neither Menefee nor Green secures more than 50 percent of the vote on March 3rd, the top two finishers will advance to a runoff election.

The takeaway

This primary contest reflects a broader trend in Houston politics, where long-serving Democratic members of Congress have historically remained in office for decades. The opening created by Sheila Jackson Lee's mayoral run and subsequent passing presented a rare opportunity for an up-and-coming Democrat like Menefee to enter the field and challenge the established order.