HOUSTON — Harris County Attorney Christian Menefee is entering the race for a seat in the U.S. House that was left vacant with the death of Rep. Sylvester Turner earlier this month. 

What You Need To Know

  • Menefee filed a form with the Federal Election Commission on Saturday after Turner’s funeral, kicking off his candidacy as a Democrat to represent the 18th Congressional District

  • In a post on X officially announcing his candidacy on Monday, Menefee said he is running to represent the Houston-area district “because working families need a fighter in Washington”

  • Menefee was recently reelected to be Harris County’s top civil lawyer back in November. Once Gov. Greg Abbott calls for an election to fill Turner’s seat, Menefee will have to automatically resign from his current position due to a provision in the Texas Constitution

  • Turner filled the seat previously held by the late U.S. Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee, who died after a battle with pancreatic cancer back in July. Jackson Lee had represented the 18th Congressional District since 1995

Menefee filed a form with the Federal Election Commission on Saturday after Turner’s funeral, kicking off his candidacy as a Democrat to represent the 18th Congressional District. 

In a post on X officially announcing his candidacy on Monday, Menefee said he is running to represent the Houston-area district “because working families need a fighter in Washington.”

“I’ve taken on MAGA Republicans, corporate polluters, scammers, and the Trump-Musk administration—and I’m ready to keep fighting for you,” Menefee said. “Let’s build a future that works for everyone.”

Menefee was recently reelected to be Harris County’s top civil lawyer back in November. Once Gov. Greg Abbott calls for an election to fill Turner’s seat, Menefee will have to automatically resign from his current position due to a provision in the Texas Constitution. 

Speaking about his time as the Harris County attorney, Menefee said he stood up to “bullies.”

“I stood up to scammers stealing people’s homes and polluters, poisoning our air and water. I stood up to Greg Abbott when he came for our voting rights. And I stood up to Donald Trump because we can’t let him take us backward,” said Menefee in his campaign announcement video. 

Turner filled the seat previously held by the late U.S. Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee, who died after a battle with pancreatic cancer back in July. Jackson Lee had represented the 18th Congressional District since 1995.

Jackson Lee’s daughter, former Rep. Erica Lee Carter, served the remainder of her mother’s term before Turner was elected in November. 

Now, Lee Carter is serving as Menefee’s campaign chair.