Menefee wins Democratic nomination for Houston's redrawn House seat

State of play: Menefee received 68.6% (21,678 votes), while Green received 31.4% (9,930 votes) with 61% of votes counted, per the Associated Press. The AP called the election in favor of Menefee about 30 minutes after polls closed Tuesday.

• The two were the top vote-getters in the March Democratic primary, but neither won enough support to avoid a runoff.

Catch up quick: Menefee already won a special election earlier this year to fill the seat left vacant by former Rep. Sylvester Turner's death.

• Menefee had to run again to keep the seat for the term starting in 2027.
• Green represented Houston's 9th Congressional District for two decades before running in the 18th after Texas lawmakers redrew his old seat to favor Republicans.

Flashback: The race heated up immediately after the March primary.

• Green said Menefee made a "deal with the devil" for accepting campaign contributions from a crypto super PAC. Menefee said Green's comments were "desperate" and came from someone who's "been in office 20 years and they were down on the first ballot."

What they're saying: "Tonight belongs to the people of this district," Menefee said in a statement Tuesday night. "This is your victory, and I will spend every day in Washington making sure it means something."

• "Republicans have made this hard on purpose," he added. "In November, we have the opportunity to change the leadership of this state, and I am calling on every voter in Texas to seize it."

What's next: Menefee will face Republican nominee Ronald Whitfield, a political newcomer, in the November election.