U.S Congressional Special Election,

US Representative, District 18

A U.S. Representative is elected to serve in the U.S. House of Representatives where they help create federal laws that affect the entire country. They represent their district by listening to the concerns of people in their community and speaking on their behalf in Congress. A U.S. Representative votes on national issues like health care, the economy, and national security. They also work on the federal budget to decide how tax dollars are spent. Representatives serve on committees that focus on different areas like education or foreign policy. They are elected for two-year terms and there is no limit to the number of terms they can serve.

Candidates

I’m Christian Menefee, son of two veterans, born and raised in Houston’s 18th District. I know firsthand the power of government to change lives—my family relied on WIC, free lunch, VA housing assistance, and Pell Grants to get by. As Harris County Attorney, I became the youngest and first Black person elected to the role, leading a 300-person office and delivering real results. I’ve taken on Trump and Abbott to protect voting rights, public health, and workers—and won. I’ve raised wages, expanded worker protections, and launched apprenticeship programs. I’ll bring that same fight to Congress.

christianmenefe.com

Our democracy is under assault and basic cost of living is crushing families. Greg Abbott left our seat vacant for months while gerrymandering rigs elections so politicians choose voters instead of the reverse. I'll champion the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act and push for nonpartisan redistricting commissions. Meanwhile, working families can't afford rent, childcare, or groceries. I'll restore the expanded Child Tax Credit putting money directly in parents' pockets, boost childcare subsidies through the Child Care Development Block Grant, and expand Housing Choice Vouchers so families aren't spending half their income on rent. These aren't separate fights—when democracy works, we get leaders who actually address rising costs.

Quality of life starts with basic health and safety. I'll tackle environmental justice head-on—communities like Fifth Ward have been poisoned by polluters for decades, causing cancer clusters and sky-high asthma rates. I'll push for federal cleanup funds, tougher EPA enforcement, and hold corporations accountable for dumping toxins in our neighborhoods. Beyond environmental justice, I'll work to expand access to healthcare coverage, create meaningful pathways to homeownership, and ensure every child has an opportunity for a strong education. Good jobs matter too—I'll champion apprenticeship programs and living wages so families can thrive, not just survive.