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Al Green <\/p>\nIn this rare clash of sitting incumbents, Houston Democratic Reps. Al Green and Christian Menefee are squaring off after the Legislature consolidated their two Houston districts, both long represented by Black Democrats, into one during last summer\u2019s redistricting.\u00a0<\/p>\n
The runoff pits the Texas delegation\u2019s newest member, Menefee, 38, against one of its longest-tenured \u2014 the 78-year-old Green. With the two candidates largely aligned on policy, the race has turned on each of their fighting styles and whether voters prefer Green\u2019s congressional experience and protests against Donald Trump or Menefee\u2019s millennial energy and history of waging legal battles with Texas Republicans.<\/p>\n
The two do have differing stances on cryptocurrency, with Green a skeptic and Menefee more willing to embrace the industry as it spends lavishly in support of his candidacy.<\/p>\n
Texas\u2019 18th Congressional District has a majority Black voter population and is one of the deepest blue seats in Texas. Long a bastion of Black political power \u2014 past representatives include Barbara Jordan, Craig Washington and Sheila Jackson Lee \u2014 it was left without representation for nearly a year after Rep. Sylvester Turner died in office in March 2025. Menefee led the November special election and won the January runoff to finish out Turner\u2019s term. <\/p>\n
The new district encompasses the majority of Green\u2019s old 9th Congressional District, as well as key areas of Menefee\u2019s.<\/p>\n
Population race\/ethnicity: 44.8% Black, 35.5% Hispanic, 12.8% white, 7.5% Asian<\/p>\n
2024 presidential results in district: Harris +55 (Harris 76.7%, Trump 21.8%)<\/p>\n
Counties in district: Harris, Fort Bend<\/p>\n
Cities in district: Houston, Missouri City, Fresno<\/p>\n
Al Green <\/p>\n
Democrat, incumbent in 9th District <\/p>\n
\ud83d\udcb0 Campaign finance: <\/p>\n
Total raised: $1.2 million Total spent: $1.1 million Cash on hand: $265,000 Outside spending: $0 <\/p>\n
\ud83d\udcb0 Notable donors and outside spending support this cycle: <\/p>\n
Former Houston Metro chair Carrin Patman HillCo lobbying firm cofounder Bill Miller Healthcare executive Tahir Javed Houston trial attorney Benjamin Hall III Former Rep. Chet Edwards, D-Waco PAC to the Future, Rep. Nancy Pelosi\u2019s leadership PAC <\/p>\n
Experience:<\/p>\n
U.S. representative for Texas\u2019 9th Congressional District since 2005<\/p>\n
Senior member of the House Financial Services Committee and ranking member of its Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations<\/p>\n
Served as Harris County justice of the peace for over 25 years<\/p>\n
Former Houston NAACP president<\/p>\n
Endorsements:\u00a0<\/p>\n
U.S. Rep. Joaquin Castro, D-San Antonio<\/p>\n
Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo<\/p>\n
Harris County Commissioner Rodney Ellis<\/p>\n
State Reps. Ron Reynolds, D-Missouri City, and Senfronia Thompson, D-Houston<\/p>\n
Houston City Council member Carolyn Evans-Shabazz<\/p>\n
Service Employees International Union (SEIU) Texas<\/p>\n
Communications Workers of America (CWA) District 6<\/p>\n
Policy stances:<\/p>\n
Opposes cuts to Medicare, Medicaid and Social Security; has vowed to vote against such reductions and interrupted Trump\u2019s address to Congress last year, shouting that the president \u201chad no mandate to cut Medicaid.\u201d<\/p>\n
Supports immigration reforms to speed up processing backlogs and \u201cprotect those who come to this great nation for a better life.\u201d<\/p>\n
Opposes efforts to undermine civil liberties of the LGBTQ+ community, saying \u201cthe protection of their rights and existence is of the utmost importance.\u201d<\/p>\n
In the news:<\/p>\n
How to contact or learn more:<\/p>\n
info@algreen.org<\/a> Democrat, incumbent <\/p>\n \ud83d\udcb0 Campaign finance: <\/p>\n Total raised: $3.2 million Total spent: $3 million Cash on hand: $256,000 Outside spending: $2.05 million <\/p>\n \ud83d\udcb0 Notable donors and outside spending support this cycle: <\/p>\n Protect Progress, a super PAC affiliated with the crypto industry <\/a> : $1.66 million Leaders We Deserve <\/a> : $287,000 Congressional Progressive Caucus PAC: $100,000 Texas trial lawyer and megadonor Amber Mostyn Houston billionaire philanthropist John Arnold <\/p>\n Experience:<\/p>\n U.S. representative for Texas\u2019 18th Congressional District since 2026<\/p>\n
Keep Al Green in Congress
P.O. Box 56761
Houston, TX 77256
Link to campaign site<\/a><\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/TX18-Christian-Menefee-Campaign.jpg\")
Christian Menefee <\/p>\n