Menefee and Green headed for a runoff in Houston's 18th Congressional District
Add Axios as your preferred source to
see more of our stories on Google.
Reps. Christian Menefee (left) and Al Green. Photos: Heather Diehl/Getty Images, Kenny Holston/The New York Times/Bloomberg via Getty Images
U.S. Rep. Christian Menefee and Rep. Al Green are headed for a runoff in the Democratic primary in a redrawn Houston-area district, the Associated Press projects.
The big picture: With no candidate topping 50%, the race is headed to a May runoff — setting up a high-stakes showdown between Menefee and Green. For Green, who was first elected in 2004, the stakes are steep after he decided to run in the 18th District when lawmakers redrew his old seat to tilt Republican.
- The race has also highlighted the generational battles among older and younger members of the party. Menefee is 37 years old, while Green is 79.
By the numbers: With 99% of the vote counted, Menefee was leading with 46% (43,595 votes) over Green's 44.2% (41,818 votes) as of 10:30am, per the AP.
- Amanda Edwards, who ended her campaign after the filing deadline, has 7.7% (7,318 votes), and political newcomer Gretchen Brown has 2% (1,936 votes).
Ronald Whitfield won the Republican primary, per AP, with 55.1% (5,257 votes) over Elizabeth Vences with 44.9% (4,282 votes).
Catch up quick: This was Menefee's second run for Congress this year. He was sworn into the House in February, following a special election to fill the seat left vacant by Rep. Sylvester Turner's death in 2025.
- But that term ends next year, meaning Menefee had to run again to keep the seat for the 2027 congressional cycle.
What they're saying: Menefee spoke to supporters Tuesday night, accusing Green of running a "negative" campaign. "Congressman, you can talk all your trash about me," Menefee said. "I'm going to keep being focused on integrity, on standing firm, on doing the right thing and on serving my communities."
Flashback: In a now-deleted YouTube video from last month, the Congressman called out Menefee for completing a questionnaire from a crypto Super PAC and said Menefee's support from the crypto industry was a "deal with the devil" that aligned him with "Trump crypto cronies."
Zoom out: Green is known for his vocal opposition to President Trump — he filed three failed articles of impeachment during Trump's first term.
- He was also booted from the president's annual State of the Union address last week, and Trump's speech to a joint session of Congress last year. On Monday, he called on Congress to reconvene and address Trump's military action in Iran.
The intrigue: Menefee would use a different approach in Congress but similar ideology as Green, University of Houston political scientist Brandon Rottinghaus told Axios before the primary.
- "Rep. Green brings seniority and national prominence, especially on progressive matters, and Rep. Menefee's profile is more legal advocacy and local problem-solving," Rottinghaus said.
- "They both get to the same place but by different means."
What's next: The runoff election is May 26.
Editor's note: This story has been corrected to reflect that in 2025, Green was kicked out of Trump's speech to a joint session of Congress (not his State of the Union address).