U.S. House · Texas's 18th District
Central Houston and parts of Harris County.
General election · Tuesday, November 3, 2026
RESULT · UNOFFICIAL UNTIL CERTIFIED
Christian Menefee, projected winner
| Candidate | Votes | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Christian Menefee | 193,149 | 86% |
| Ronald Whitfield | 31,334 | 14% |
About 98% of the expected vote counted. As of November 9. Winners take office next year. Counts can change until states certify. NBC News ↗
Sources re-checked September 25, 2026 · How we research
- Christian Menefee led the initial round of a special election on November 4, 2025 and won the special election runoff over Amanda Edwards on January 31, 2026, to fill the seat after Rep. Sylvester Turner died in March 2025. For the 2026 general election, Menefee defeated fellow incumbent U.S. Rep. Al Green in a May 26, 2026 Democratic primary runoff, 69.3% to 30.7%, after the two topped a crowded March 3, 2026 primary field. Ronald Whitfield defeated Elizabeth Vences, 55.1%-44.9%, in the March 3, 2026 Republican primary.[1][2][3]
On the November 3 ballot · 2 candidates
Issue evidence — side by side
Recorded votes, documented positions and candidates’ own words are shown with sources. “In their own words” quotes a candidate on the topic without inferring a stance. Votes describe specific bills or motions; they do not establish overall support or opposition to a broad issue. A dash means our research has no evidence on that topic, not that the candidate has no position.
Protect legal access to abortion
- Christian MenefeeSupports[4]
His campaign website says he will fight to restore abortion rights federally and block a national abortion ban.
- Ronald Whitfield—
Stricter gun laws
- Christian MenefeeSupports[4]
His campaign website says he will fight to ban assault weapons, close background check loopholes and limit high-capacity magazines.
- Ronald Whitfield—
Raise taxes on high earners or corporations
- Christian MenefeeSupports[4]
His campaign website says he will work to fix the tax code so billionaires and large corporations pay their fair share.
- Ronald Whitfield—
Expand public health coverage
- Christian MenefeeSupports[4]
His campaign website says he will fight for Medicare for All and for expanding Medicare and strengthening Medicaid.
- Ronald Whitfield—
Faster transition away from fossil fuels
- Christian MenefeeSupports[4]
His campaign website says he will work to defend progress made through the Inflation Reduction Act and to oppose efforts to dismantle the EPA.
- Ronald Whitfield—
Raise the minimum wage
- Christian MenefeeSupports[4]
His campaign website says he will fight to raise the federal minimum wage to $15 an hour.
- Ronald Whitfield—
Broad tariffs on imported goods
- Christian MenefeeRecorded votes[11]
Voted yes on Resolution disapproving tariffs on Canada (H.J. Res. 72, 2026-02-11), which disapproved the tariffs on Canadian imports.
- Ronald Whitfield—
Require Congress to approve U.S. military action abroad
- Christian MenefeeRecorded votes[12]
Voted yes on War Powers Resolution directing removal of forces from Iran hostilities (H. Con. Res. 86, 2026-06-03), which directed the removal of U.S. forces from hostilities against Iran absent congressional authorization.
- Ronald Whitfield—
Research notes & limits
Christian Menefee's key floor votes and FEC finance totals are filled in separately by script. Ronald Whitfield has minimal public footprint: no campaign website was located and he has not completed a Candidate Connection survey.
Sources · 15
Researched 2026-09-25. Green citations are official government records.
- 1.United States House of Representatives elections in Texas, 2026 · Ballotpedia · 2026-09-25 Reference
- 2.Christian Menefee · Ballotpedia · 2026-09-25 Reference
- 3.Texas' 18th Congressional District election, 2026 · Ballotpedia · 2026-09-25 Reference
- 4.Christian Menefee - campaign website as quoted on Ballotpedia (January 2026) · Ballotpedia (quoting Christian Menefee's campaign website) · 2026-01-21 Candidate's own words
- 5.Christian Menefee · Ballotpedia · 2026-09-25 Reference
- 6.Biography | Congressman Christian Menefee · U.S. House of Representatives (Rep. Menefee's official site) · 2026-10-21 Official record
- 7.Committees and Caucuses | Congressman Christian Menefee · U.S. House of Representatives (Rep. Menefee's official site) · 2026-10-21 Official record
- 8.WashU Law Alum Christian Menefee, JD '13, Sworn in to U.S. House Following Special Election Win · Washington University School of Law · 2026-10-21 News report
- 9.United States House of Representatives elections in Texas, 2026 · Ballotpedia · 2026-09-25 Reference
- 10.Texas 18th District U.S. House election results 2026 · NBC News News report
- 11.Roll call: Resolution disapproving tariffs on Canada · Office of the Clerk, U.S. House · 2026-02-11 Official record
- 12.Roll call: War Powers Resolution directing removal of forces from Iran hostilities · Office of the Clerk, U.S. House · 2026-06-03 Official record
- 13.Texas' 18th Congressional District election, 2026 · Ballotpedia · 2026-09-25 Reference
- 14.Ronald Whitfield · Ballotpedia · 2026-10-21 Reference
- 15.U.S. House · Texas's 18th District results 2026 · NBC News News report