HOUSTON — On Monday, Christian Menefee is expected to be sworn in as the next member of Congress from Texas’ 18th Congressional District.
Two weeks later, a mostly different group of voters than the ones who just elected him will begin heading to the polls to decide if he should keep the job beyond the end of this year.
The lengthy election process to fill out the remainder of Rep. Sylvester Turner’s term — the former Houston mayor died 11 months ago — means his successor will take office while immediately pivoting to a primary battle shaped by redistricting and a broader conversation about the thorny politics of age and seniority. It will be a rematch of sorts — Menefee’s runoff opponent, Amanda Edwards, is also running to be the district’s Democratic nominee for a full two-year term — with the added twist of a third contender: longtime Houston Rep. Al Green.
