HOUSTON, TEXAS — Houston, this one deserves a moment. Congressman Christian Menefee has won a full term representing Texas’ 18th Congressional District, with the Associated Press projecting his victory in the November 3, 2026 election.
Congratulations to Congressman Menefee. His win adds another chapter to a career that has already included some significant firsts right here in Harris County.
A history of firsts, beginning at home
In 2020, at age 32, Menefee became the first Black American elected Harris County Attorney and the youngest person to hold the position. The county attorney serves as Harris County government’s chief civil lawyer, making the role an important one in local government.
His path also carries a personal milestone: Menefee has described himself as the first person in his family to graduate from college. He earned a business degree from the University of Texas at San Antonio and later attended Washington University School of Law in St. Louis.
From Harris County to the halls of Congress
Menefee was elected to Congress in a January 2026 special-election runoff after the death of former U.S. Representative Sylvester Turner. He took the oath of office on February 2, 2026. The November 3 result gives him a full term representing the 18th District.
His election is part of a longer Houston story. The 18th District has been represented by prominent public servants, including Barbara Jordan, Sheila Jackson Lee and Sylvester Turner. Menefee now carries that responsibility forward as the district’s representative in Washington.
A congratulations from REAL B
There is something special about seeing a Houstonian move from serving this community locally to representing it on the national stage. And when that journey includes breaking barriers along the way, those milestones deserve to be recorded—not overlooked.
Congratulations, Congressman Christian Menefee, on securing a full term in the U.S. House. The history you made in Harris County is part of your story, and this next chapter will be watched closely by the people you represent.
REAL B will continue covering the people, decisions and developments shaping Houston and beyond.
Sources & reporting credits
- FOX 26 Houston: Christian Menefee elected to a full term in Texas’ 18th Congressional District (AP projection)
- Office of the Clerk, U.S. House of Representatives: Member profile, district and oath-of-office date
- UT San Antonio: Menefee’s firsts as Harris County Attorney
- Christian Menefee: Biography and education background
Photo credit: Office of the Clerk, U.S. House of Representatives. Election status: Associated Press projection; official results remain subject to certification.
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