HOUSTON – Former Houston City Council member Amanda Edwards announced Monday morning that she is suspending her campaign for Texas’ 18th Congressional District.
Edwards made the announcement in a social media post, saying that although her name will still appear on the March 2026 Democratic primary ballot, she has decided to halt her bid for Congress.
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“I have decided to suspend my campaign for Congress,” Edwards wrote. “My commitment to serving and advocating for the community remains unchanged. I cannot thank you enough for working with me to elevate people over politics and to deliver results for our community.”
The decision comes after Edwards lost the recent special election runoff to former Harris County Attorney Christian Menefee, who secured more than two-thirds of the vote. Edwards had previously planned to continue her run for the seat in the upcoming Democratic primary.
Menefee, who was sworn into office following his special election victory, praised Edwards in a statement Monday.
“It’s an honor to have run alongside Amanda Edwards in this campaign,” Menefee said. “She’s always been a voice for the community, committed to service, and the consummate professional.”
While the special election runoff and Democratic primary are separated by only a few weeks, the race is now expected to take a different turn. Menefee will face Congressman Al Green in the Democratic primary, after Green entered the race following last year’s mid-decade redistricting.
The Democratic primary for the 18th Congressional District is scheduled for March 3.