Christian Menefee has emerged victorious over veteran congressman Al Green in the Democratic runoff election for Texas’s 18th Congressional District, according to NBC News projections.
The race gained national attention after Texas’ Republican-led redistricting reshaped congressional boundaries, forcing two Democratic lawmakers into a direct showdown.
Menefee, who recently entered Congress after winning a special election, defeated Green after neither candidate secured more than 50 percent of the vote during the March primary. In the first round, Menefee polled 46 percent while Green followed closely with 44 percent.
At 38, Menefee became one of the younger members of the House Democratic caucus after replacing the late Sylvester Turner earlier this year.
Green, a longtime congressman and outspoken critic of President Donald Trump, chose to contest the Houston-based 18th District after boundary adjustments made his former district more competitive for Republicans. The 78-year-old had been seeking another term after decades in Congress.
Throughout the campaign, both candidates positioned themselves as strong opponents of Trump. Green has repeatedly called for Trump’s impeachment and was previously removed from the House chamber during presidential addresses.
Menefee, who previously served as Harris County attorney, pointed to legal actions taken against the Trump administration as part of his campaign message.
The contest also drew millions of dollars in outside political spending. Protect Progress, a super PAC linked to cryptocurrency interests, reportedly spent over $5 million supporting Menefee. Congresswoman Jasmine Crockett also featured in campaign adverts backing his candidacy.
Green criticised the growing influence of wealthy donors in the race, while Menefee argued that campaign finance rules should eventually eliminate super PACs.
The district has experienced political instability in recent years following the deaths of two lawmakers. Veteran congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee died in 2024, while Sylvester Turner passed away months after taking office in 2025.
Texas’ 18th District has maintained a long history of Black representation in Congress since Barbara Jordan made history in 1973 as the first Black woman from the South elected to the U.S. House of Representatives.
