Amanda Edwards running for late U.S. Rep. Sylvester Turner's seat

HOUSTON - Amanda Edwards announced Wednesday that she will run for late U.S. Rep. Sylvester Turner’s seat to represent Texas' 18th Congressional District.

While hardly unexpected, Edwards' announcement comes just four days after Turner was laid to rest - indicative of the "political positioning" contenders feel compelled to execute ahead of a wide-open race.

The attorney, a native of the district, has previously served as an At-Large Houston City Council Member.

Amanda Edwards' election announcement

What they're saying:

 "I'm running to be the Congresswoman for the community, and it's really important to me that, in this time of angst, we are seeing, with our rights being attacked, health care and education under siege by President Trump that we should send someone to Washington who will take a new approach when it's time to fight for our rights, who can bring some innovative solutions to the table and some new ideas," Edwards said in a FOX 26 interview.

In a post on X, she wrote, "I am honored to announce that I am running for Congress. My commitment to this community has never wavered, and I will continue to fight for the opportunities and resources our district needs. We need the next generation of new leaders in Washington to combat Trump’s attacks on jobs, healthcare, and education. The stakes are far too important to stay on the sidelines right now. With unwavering determination, I will work every day to deliver real results for the people I serve."

Another candidate in the running

Dig deeper:

Edwards' announcement was preceded on Sunday by Harris County Attorney Christian Menefee, who almost simultaneously released a formidable list of endorsements including Erica Lee Carter, daughter of the late Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee, and Harris County Commissioner Rodney Ellis, widely viewed as "the Godfather" of Harris County Democratic politics.

MORE: Harris County Attorney Christian Menefee files to run for Sylvester Turner's seat in Congress

Other well-known and lesser known contenders are likely to join the race, especially if Texas Governor Greg Abbott pushes the election to November rather than setting it for May.

About Texas’ 18th District

The backstory:

An attorney and former U.S. Senate candidate, Edwards has sought to represent CD-18 twice before - first in a losing head-to-head primary with Sheila Jackson Lee, and again in a very close contest with Turner decided by Democratic precinct chairs in favor of the former Mayor.

Turner was elected to represent Texas' 18th Congressional District in the November 2024 election. He passed away on March 5, leaving the seat vacant.

The district includes much of inner-city Houston and the surrounding areas.

Before Turner, the seat was held by late Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee's daughter, Erica Lee Carter. Carter won a special election after her mother's death and served from November to January.

Lee represented the district from 1995 until July 2024, when she died of pancreatic cancer.

When is the election?

What's next:

A date for the special election to fill Turner's seat in Texas' 18th Congressional District has not been set by Governor Greg Abbott.

The date typically coincides with a previously scheduled election.

Until the election, the district's offices will continue to represent the people of TX-18 by offering constituent services.