# 2025 Texas's 18th congressional district special election

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18th sp :
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2025 :
Government :
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A special election to determine the member of the United States House of Representatives for Texas's 18th congressional district is likely to be held in 2025. The seat became vacant following the death of Democrat Sylvester Turner on March 5, 2025. It is considered a safely Democratic district. This will be the second special election to this seat in under a year, following the 2024 special election.

## Background

Incumbent Sylvester Turner died in office on March 5, 2025, from "health complications", according to a statement released by his family. Turner was elected in 2024 to Congress after serving as a two-term mayor of Houston. District 18 is a deeply blue urban district, with Turner winning the district with 69.4% of the vote. Governor Greg Abbott is responsible for calling a special election. There is no legal deadline for when the special election must occur.

## Candidates
### Democratic Party
#### Declared

* Isaiah Martin, government contract consultant, former intern for Sheila Jackson Lee, and candidate for this district in 2024
* Christian Menefee, Harris County Attorney (2021–present)

#### Publicly expressed interest

* Jolanda Jones, state representative from the 147th district (2022–present)

#### Potential

* Amanda Edwards, former at-large Houston city councilor (2016–2020), candidate for this district in 2024, and candidate for U.S. Senate in 2020
* Jarvis Johnson, former state representative from the 139th district (2016–2025) and candidate for this district in 2010 and 2024
* Letitia Plummer, at-large Houston city councilor (2020–present) and candidate for this district in 2024

#### Declined

* Erica Lee Carter, former U.S. Representative (2024–2025) (endorsed Menefee)

## Endorsements
### U.S. Representatives

* Colin Allred, former U.S. Representative from Texas's 32nd congressional district (2019–2025)
* Erica Lee Carter, U.S. Representative from Texas's 18th congressional district (2024–2025) (candidate's campaign chair)
* Lizzie Fletcher, U.S. Representative from Texas's 7th congressional district (2019–present)
* Beto O'Rourke, former U.S. Representative from Texas's 16th congressional district (2013–2019)

### State legislators

* Alma Allen, State Representative from the 131st district (2005–present)
* Ana Hernandez, State Representative from the 143rd district (2005–present)
* Jon Rosenthal, State Representative from the 135th district (2019–present)
* James Talarico, State Representative from the 50th district (2018–present)
* Armando Walle, State Representative from the 140th district (2009–present)
* Royce West, former President pro tempore of the Texas Senate (2006–2007) from the 23rd district (1993–present)

### Local officials

* Dwight Boykins, former Houston City Councilor from district D (2014–2019)
* Lesley Briones, Harris County Commissioner from the 4th precinct
* Mario Castillo, Houston City Councilor from district H (2024–present)
* Rodney Ellis, Harris County Commissioner from the 1st precinct (2017–present)
* Eric Fagan, Fort Bend County Sheriff
* Ronald Green, former Houston City Controller (2010–2016)
* Chris Hollins, Houston City Controller (2024–present)
* Dexter McCoy, Fort Bend County Commissioner from the 4th precinct
* Brian Middleton, Fort Bend District Attorney
* James Phillips, Harris County Constable from the 7th precinct
* Carroll Robinson, former at-large Houston City Councilor
* Bridgette Smith-Lawson, Fort Bend County Attorney
* Tiffany Thomas, Houston City Councilor from district F (2020–present)
* Silvia Trevino, Harris County Constable from the 6th precinct