Democratic Reps. Al Green and Christian Menefee in Tight Race for Redrawn Texas District

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In a race between two Democratic incumbents, longtime Rep. Al Green and newly elected Rep. Christian Menefee are locked in a tight primary battle for the redrawn 18th Congressional District in Texas. Green, who has served in Congress since 2005, is running against Menefee, who won a special election earlier this year to replace the late Rep. Sylvester Turner. The redrawn district now encompasses most of Green's former territory, leading to the matchup between the two Democrats.

Why it matters

The race highlights the impact of redistricting, as Green and Menefee were drawn into the same district. It also showcases the generational divide within the Democratic party, with the 79-year-old Green facing off against the 37-year-old Menefee. The outcome will determine who represents this heavily Democratic district in Congress.

The details

Menefee, a former Harris County Attorney, won a special election in January to replace the late Rep. Sylvester Turner. However, he did not secure enough votes to avoid a runoff, meaning he has been on the ballot three times in the past four months. Green, who has been in Congress since 2005, has been a vocal critic of former President Trump, leading to several high-profile incidents, including being escorted from the House chamber and censured by the House.

• The district was redrawn during last summer's redistricting process.
• Menefee won a special election in January 2026 to replace the late Rep. Sylvester Turner.
• Green was censured by the House in 2025 for interrupting a speech by former President Trump.