Texas House District 18 2026

Compare candidates running in this Texas federal race. Review their positions, voting records, campaign promises, and donor information.

Ronald Whitfield

Party: Republican

Al Green

Party: Democrat

Christian Menefee

Party: Democrat

OBJ SPEAKING

Create StoryTimelinesVoter ToolsRegional AnalysisAll StoriesUSWorldPoliticsBusinessHealthEntertainmentTechnologyCommunity PicksAbout
← US Map>Texas>House District 18
house

Texas House District 18

Election: Nov 3, 2026Updated: Apr 10, 2026
📊Polling+24 Menefee
Limited general election polling available as the Democratic primary runoff (May 26) has not yet occurred. Pre-primary polling from University of Houston (February 2026) showed Menefee leading Green 52% to 28% in the Democratic primary.
Source: University of Houston Hobby School of Public Affairs2026-02-13
52%
Menefee
28%
Green
safe d— Cook Political Report / Inside Elections (Partisan Baseline D+61)

This is a safely Democratic district with a partisan baseline of D+61. Control will not change parties regardless of outcome. The race is primarily competitive during the Democratic primary runoff scheduled for May 26, 2026, between two sitting Democratic Representatives.

Ronald WhitfieldR
Al GreenD
Christian MenefeeD

Summary

Ronald Dwayne Whitfield is the Republican nominee for Texas House District 18, having won the March 3, 2026 Republican primary with 55.1% of the vote over Elizabeth Vences. Whitfield identifies as a native Texan, born in Lamesa in West Texas and raised in Coleman in Central Texas. He has been a resident of Harris County since 1980. Whitfield describes himself as bilingual in English and Spanish and states that his heritage is Mexican American with Indigenous roots. He is a high school graduate (Evan E. Worthing Sr. High, 1983) and is described as a digital creator. As of April 2026, Whitfield does not maintain a public campaign website and has minimal online presence.

Al Green is a 78-year-old Democratic U.S. Representative who has served since 2004 (originally elected to the 9th District in 2004, now running in the redrawn 18th District due to mid-decade redistricting). He is a longtime critic of President Trump, having filed three failed articles of impeachment during Trump's first term. Green has a law degree from Texas Southern University and co-founded the law firm Green, Wilson, Dewberry, and Fitch. He previously served as president of the Houston branch of the NAACP. Green finished second in the March 3, 2026 Democratic primary with 44.2% of the vote, forcing a May 26 runoff against Christian Menefee.

Christian Menefee is the 37-year-old U.S. Representative for Texas's 18th Congressional District, having been elected in a special runoff on January 31, 2026, to replace the late Sylvester Turner. He previously served as Harris County Attorney from 2021 to 2026, making him the youngest and first African American elected to that position. Menefee is a graduate of the University of Texas at San Antonio and holds a law degree from Washington University in St. Louis. He worked as a commercial litigator and attorney with the NAACP Legal Defense Fund before entering public service. Menefee is the son of two military veterans and was raised in the 18th Congressional District. He won the March 3, 2026 Democratic primary with 46% of the vote, forcing a runoff against Al Green scheduled for May 26, 2026.

View Ronald Whitfield's Full Profile →View Al Green's Full Profile →View Christian Menefee's Full Profile →

Campaign Promises

Other
  • Better serve diverse community through bilingual outreach
Other
  • Stand up to Trump
Healthcare
  • Fight for healthcare
Economy
  • Raise minimum wage to $25 per hour
Immigration
  • Support immigrant communities
Economy
  • Support working people and government accountability
Other
  • Oppose Trump administration policies
Healthcare
  • Fight for voting rights and healthcare access

Key Issue Positions

No key issues listed yet.

Opposition to Trump and Trump policies
Vocal and consistent opponent
Green has been a prominent Trump critic throughout Trump's presidency, filing articles of impeachment, voting against Trump-backed legislation, and frequently speaking against Trump's policies.
Healthcare
Supports expanded access and opposes cuts
Green emphasizes his voting record on healthcare and opposition to cuts to Medicare, Medicaid, and Social Security.
Cryptocurrency and financial regulation
Crypto skeptic and opponent
Green is concerned that crypto could undermine the dollar as currency and potentially undermine U.S. ability to impose financial sanctions. He received an 'F' rating from Stand With Crypto.
Voting rights
Strong supporter of voting rights
Green supports strong voting rights protections and has been vocal in opposing voter suppression efforts.
Federal funding and Trump administration overreach
Opposes Trump administration actions
Menefee has sued the Trump administration multiple times over federal funding freezes, cuts to environmental programs (Solar for All, worth $250 million), clawback of COVID-19 health grants ($11 billion), and federal workforce reductions.
Cryptography industry involvement
Completed questionnaire from Stand With Crypto receiving 'A' rating
Menefee completed a questionnaire from Stand With Crypto that gave him an 'A' rating, indicating support for favorable cryptocurrency policies. Opponent Al Green has criticized this connection.
Voting rights and election integrity
Supports protecting voting rights
As county attorney, Menefee sued Texas officials over voting restrictions passed in 2021 and challenged state demands to audit elections.

Top Donors

No donor data available.

No donor data available.

American Association for Justice PAC
$5,000Industry PAC
Personal injury trial lawyers' organization supporting Menefee's Congressional campaign
Adam Loewy (personal injury lawyer)
$3,500Individual
Austin-based personal injury lawyer
Jim Perdue (personal injury lawyer)
$2,500Individual
Former President of Texas Trial Lawyers Association

Contradictions

No contradictions documented.

No contradictions documented.

Claim: Menefee pledged to be a constant voice for the 18th District that had been vacant for nearly a year
Contradiction: Menefee missed votes and was absent from Congress during his first month. Al Green pointed out Menefee missed House votes on days he was campaigning in Houston and missed a classified briefing on Iran.

What Opponents Say

No opponent claims documented.

Christian Menefee

Green ran a 'negative' campaign, getting 'desperate' after finishing second in primary

Menefee accused Green of running attack ads and making personal attacks after the March 3 primary results showed Menefee ahead.

Christian Menefee

Green is a 20-year incumbent out of touch with new generation of voters

Age became a focal point in the race, with generational change narratives highlighting the 41-year age gap between the 78-year-old Green and 37-year-old Menefee.

Al Green

Menefee made a 'deal with the devil' with 'Trump crypto cronies' by accepting crypto industry support

Green ran ads and made statements criticizing Menefee's connection to the cryptocurrency industry and acceptance of their political support.

Al Green

Menefee missed votes in Congress despite promising to be a constant voice for the district

Green pointed out Menefee missed 9 of his first 29 roll call votes, including a classified briefing on Iran, while campaigning in Houston.

Endorsements

No endorsements listed.

Royce Westindividual
Erica Lee Carterindividual
Corisha Rogersindividual