Al Green loses primary to Christian Menefee after Houston House seat redrawn
Axios
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U.S. Rep. Christian Menefee defeated U.S. Rep. Al Green on Tuesday in the Democratic https://www.axios.com/local/houston/2026/05/18/houston-elections-why-so-many" target="_blank">runoff for Houston's newly redrawn 18th Congressional District.
Why it matters: Menefee's victory is set to end https://www.axios.com/2026/02/25/al-green-state-of-the-union-sign-trump-protest" target="_blank">Green's two-decade run in Congress.
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 https://apnews.com/projects/elections-2026/texas-primary-runoff-results-us-house/#18" target="_blank">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 https://www.axios.com/local/houston/2025/03/05/sylvester-turner-death-houston-legacy" target="_blank">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 https://www.axios.com/local/houston/2026/03/04/al-green-christian-menefee-primary-election-results-2026" target="_blank">said Menefee made a "deal with the devil" for accepting campaign contributions from a crypto super PAC. Menefee https://www.axios.com/2026/03/04/al-green-christian-menefee-texas-primary-houston" target="_blank">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.