A closely watched Democratic primary race in Texas will continue into a runoff after neither candidate secured a majority of the vote. Veteran congressman Al Green and freshman lawmaker Christian Menefee will face each other again in May to determine who will represent Texas’ 18th Congressional District.
Runoff Triggered in Texas Congressional Race
The race is for Texas’s 18th congressional district. Under Texas election law, if no candidate receives more than 50% of the vote, the top two candidates must compete in a runoff election.
According to vote totals reported after Tuesday’s election:
| Candidate | Vote Share |
|---|---|
| Christian Menefee | 46% |
| Al Green | 44.2% |
Because neither candidate crossed the majority threshold, the race will now move to a runoff election scheduled for May 26, 2026.
Green’s Long Career in Congress
Al Green is a long-serving member of Congress who has represented Texas since 2005.
Before this election cycle, Green represented Texas’s 9th congressional district for nearly two decades.
However, changes to congressional maps during the recent redistricting process prompted Green to run instead in the 18th District.
Green said he wanted to continue representing many of the communities he has served during his time in Congress.
Menefee’s Recent Entry Into Congress
Christian Menefee is a newer member of the U.S. House.
He won a January special election to fill the seat previously held by Sylvester Turner.
Turner, who had previously served as mayor of Houston before entering Congress, died in office at the age of 70 earlier this year.
Menefee, a former commercial litigation lawyer from a military family, had previously been discussed as a potential statewide candidate before choosing to run for Congress.
Impact of Texas Redistricting
The contest between Green and Menefee was largely shaped by changes to Texas congressional districts.
Republican-led redistricting efforts in the state have attempted to redraw district boundaries in ways that could reduce the number of Democratic-held seats.
These changes created overlapping political interests and pushed several Democratic leaders into the same district races.
Green’s decision to run in the 18th District brought him into direct competition with Menefee.
Green’s National Political Profile
Green has gained national attention in recent years for his efforts to impeach Donald Trump.
He has introduced multiple impeachment resolutions against Trump during his time in Congress.
Most recently, Green pushed for impeachment again in November, marking his fifth attempt to bring charges against the former president.
Green has argued that impeachment votes force lawmakers to publicly take a position on whether a president committed “high crimes or misdemeanors.”
Controversial Moments in Congress
Green has also drawn attention for his actions during recent presidential addresses to Congress.
At the 2026 State of the Union, he held a sign criticizing racist language and was eventually removed from the chamber.
A similar incident occurred the previous year when Green refused to sit during the address and protested from the House floor before security escorted him out.
What Happens Next
The next step in the race will be the runoff election on May 26, 2026.
Runoff elections are common in Texas when no candidate achieves a majority during the primary.
During the weeks leading up to the vote, both candidates are expected to campaign heavily to win over voters who supported other candidates in the initial election.
