HOUSTON (CW39) — Tomorrow is finally election day, and voters in Houston’s 18th Congressional District are heading to the polls to settle one of the most closely watched, expensive, and generationally defining runoffs in recent Texas history. This high-stakes showdown features a rare incumbent-on-incumbent battle between two prominent Democratic figures: newly elected U.S. Rep. Christian Menefee and long-serving veteran U.S. Rep. Al Green.
Editor’s note: The main video in this story is when Menefee was sworn into U.S. House in February.
In Houston, the thorny politics of succession are on display in the primary for this redrawn congressional seat
With little ideological daylight between the two, this race serves as a major turning point for Houston politics, matching a rising progressive against a pillar of the community’s established leadership.
How to watch on CW39+
When the polls close, you don’t have to look anywhere else for deep-dive analysis. We are bringing you a special streaming event featuring the ultimate political data experts to break down exactly what the numbers mean for Houston and the rest of the Lone Star State.
- What: The Hill’s Decision Desk 2026: Data Nerds
- When: Tuesday, May 26, 2026
- Time: 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
- Where to stream: On CW39+, available for free on Roku, Apply and Fire TV
Our team of data experts will be watching the votes in real-time, tracking local turnout, and explaining how shifts in the maps are impacting the state’s most critical matchups.
How to Watch: CW39+ to stream Texas Primary Runoff Election Night live coverage
How did we get here?
This unique political battleground happened because Texas GOP lawmakers redrew the state’s congressional maps. The newly configured lines pushed District 9—which Green has represented for over 20 years—into territory that heavily favors Republicans. Because of this, Green shifted his reelection bid to the heavily Democratic 18th District, which now includes a large share of his old constituents.
Texas House gives final approval to redistricting map, setting stage for Senate vote
But there was a catch: the 18th District is already occupied by 38-year-old Christian Menefee. The former Harris County Attorney won a high-profile special election runoff in January to finish out the term of the late Sylvester Turner, who passed away in March 2025.
Because neither candidate reached the 50% threshold to win outright in the March primary, where Menefee finished first with 46% and Green closely followed with 44.2%, the race advanced to tomorrow’s crucial “overtime” runoff. A recent poll from the University of Houston’s Hobby School of Public Affairs shows Menefee holding a 7-point lead over Green (50% to 43%) among likely voters, but because runoffs typically see lower turnout, it is truly anyone’s game.
Christian Menefee leads Al Green in Houston-area congressional runoff, UH poll says
What a win looks like
For Christian Menefee:Passing the torch: A victory solidifies the 38-year-old Menefee as the definitive face of the 18th District and signals that voters are ready to embrace a new, younger generation of Democratic leadership in Houston…