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

HOUSTON - Harris County Attorney Christian Menefee has officially filed to run for the late Congressman Sylvester Turner's seat in Congress.

Menefee files to run for Turner's vacant seat

What we know:

Menefee filed the documents on Saturday, the day of Turner's funeral, according to the Federal Election Commission.

In November, Menefee, 37, was reelected to a second four-year term as Harris County Attorney.

He was first elected to his position in Harris County when he was 32 years old. According to Menefee's website, he was the youngest person ever to be elected to be Harris County Attorney.

What we don't know:

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.

Christian Menefee

What they're saying:

"I’m running for Congress because working families need a fighter in Washington," Menefee said in a statement. "Republicans are gutting Social Security, attacking healthcare and reproductive rights, and making life more expensive for everyday people. I’ve sued Greg Abbott to protect voting rights, held corporate polluters accountable, and pushed back against Trump’s attacks on working families. Now, I’m ready to take that fight to Congress."

Sheila Jackson Lee's Daughter Endorses Menefee

Erica Lee Carter, former Congresswoman and daughter of the late Sheila Jackson Lee, endorsed Menefee in a social media post on the morning of March 17th. Carter expressed that, despite public encouragement, it was not her time to run for the congressional seat herself. Menefee later announced Carter as his campaign chairwoman. 

What they're saying:

"As a Special Election approaches, many have encouraged me not to run, but after much thought, I've decided that now is not the time for me to return to Washington D.C. I believe I can serve my community in other ways and look forward to working on the issues that matter most to Houston. It is for that reason, I am proud to endorse Harris County Attorney Christian D. Menefee in the 2025 Special Election for the 18th Congressional District of Texas," wrote Carter.

Texas' 18th District

The backstory:

Turner was elected to represent Texas' 18th Congressional District in the November 2024 election.

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.