HOUSTON — Texas voters will head back to the polls in late January after Gov. Greg Abbott set the date for the special runoff election to fill the congressional seat left vacant by the death of former U.S. Representative Sylvester Turner.

Abbott set the runoff for Saturday, Jan. 31, 2026. The election will decide who represents the Congressional District No. 18 for the rest of Turner's term, with the existing district boundaries.

The runoff is happening because no candidate reached a majority (50%+) of the vote on Nov. 4. There were 16 names on the ballot. Christian Menefee received 28.9% of the vote and Amanda Edwards received 25.55% of the vote .

The state's election code gives specific timing requirements: the runoff must take place between 70 and 77 days after the final canvass of

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