Republicans are narrowly holding onto their 218-213 majority in the House. However, their support seems poised to wane further as a special election is set to take place this weekend for a seat in a district heavily influenced by Democrats. The candidates vying for this position in Texas’ 18th Congressional District are both Democrats.
Voters in this district, which encompasses downtown Houston and its nearby areas, will select a successor to fill the vacancy left by the death of Democratic U.S. Representative Sylvester Turner last March. Turner had a notable history as a state representative and took over the role previously held by Sheila Jackson Lee, who had served two terms as mayor of Houston before shifting her focus to Congress in 2024.
In this runoff election, Christian Menefee, a former attorney for Harris County, will compete against Amanda Edwards, who previously served on the Houston City Council. They both emerged from a larger field of sixteen candidates who participated in the first round of voting in November.
Notably, Texas is reworking its congressional maps ahead of the 2026 midterm elections, driven by a significant redistricting clash between the parties, yet the upcoming special elections will adhere to the current district layouts.
The outcome of this special election could add another seat to the Democratic contingent, complicating matters for Republican leadership. House Speaker Mike Johnson has expressed concern, advising colleagues to avoid unnecessary risks and to focus on their health and responsibilities. He seems quite serious about the importance of their presence on Capitol Hill during this precarious time.
Additionally, House Majority Whip Tom Emmer’s office has communicated that lawmakers should prioritize being present at work, unless faced with dire health situations. There are also three other special legislative elections slated for later this year.
In New Jersey’s 11th Congressional District, eleven candidates are preparing for a Democratic primary scheduled for February 5. This district’s seat became vacant following the resignation of Mikie Sherrill after her election as governor.
The Democratic primary winner will go up against the only Republican candidate, Randolph Mayor Joe Hathaway, in the general election on April 16. This northern New Jersey district leans Democratic, yet the recent presidential election results showed a narrower margin, perhaps giving Republicans a glimmer of hope.
Meanwhile, in Georgia’s 14th Congressional District, a crowded field of 22 candidates, including 17 Republicans, will compete to fill the seat left vacant by Marjorie Taylor Greene’s sudden resignation last month.
Georgia’s laws require all candidates to run on the same ballot, and if no one secures over 50% of the votes, a runoff will occur on April 7.
The district leans Republican, indicated by Greene’s re-election triumph by nearly 30 points in 2024. Similar to Texas and Georgia, California is also in the midst of redistricting, though the upcoming special elections will use the existing district lines.
The White House and Republican officials have criticized California Governor Gavin Newsom for postponing a special election to fill Doug LaMalfa’s seat until August—six months after his passing. However, Democrats have expressed their own frustrations over the timeline established by Texas Governor Greg Abbott, who also delayed the special election for Turner’s seat for eight months after his death.
