Eight months after the loss of life of U.S. Rep. Sylvester Turner, his constituents in Houston lastly have the possibility to pick his successor.
A particular election for the suitable to finish Turner’s time period in Texas’ 18th Congressional District is among the many key races on the poll Tuesday, which is Election Day throughout the state. Sixteen candidates are vying for the seat, which has been held by a Black Democrat for greater than 50 years.
Polls are open from 7 a.m.-7 p.m. Tuesday, and two of the congressional candidates made early appearances on the Metropolitan Multi-Service Heart. Former Houston Metropolis Council member Amanda Edwards and performing Harris County Lawyer Christian Menefee, the main candidates when it comes to current polling and marketing campaign fundraising, made pitches to voters and in addition addressed the importance of their race.
“We have been with out a vote, we have been with out a voice, we have been with out our advocate for federal funding for much too lengthy,” Edwards mentioned. “And so for this district specifically, this can be a very particular alternative to get their voice again.”
Whereas the 18th Congressional District has gone with out illustration in Washington, Edwards mentioned she’s made journeys to the Texas Capitol in Austin to advocate for residents of the district. Menefee additionally described himself as an advocate for these constituents, lots of whom he has served because the county lawyer.
Thomas Perumean/Houston Public Media
The race additionally contains state Rep. Jolanda Jones and fellow Democrat Isaiah Martin, a former staffer for the late U.S. Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee, who preceded Turner within the congressional seat. Among the many Republicans on the poll is Carmen Maria Montiel. Political unbiased George Edward Foreman IV, a son of the late boxing champion George Foreman, has a well-recognized title to Houston residents.
Honest wages and reasonably priced well being care are among the many necessary points to residents of the 18th District, in line with Menefee.
“The variety of billionaires has exploded on this nation. Essentially the most wealthiest people are paying much less in taxes than they ever have within the historical past of this nation,” he mentioned. “What that claims to me is we’ve a deeply embedded drawback of earnings inequality, of wealth inequality within the nation. We’re now working extra for the billionaires and the extremely wealthy than we’re for the typical working Joe and Jane.”
Different races
In Harris County, ballots additionally embody a particular election for a Houston Metropolis Council seat and elections for a number of different native municipalities and utility districts.
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Faculty board seats in Aldine ISD, Cy-Honest ISD and Houston ISD are also up for grabs. The trustee races in Cy-Honest ISD have been particularly heated as politically conservative candidates look to take care of their majority on the board.
Elected trustees in Houston ISD shouldn’t have voting energy amid ongoing intervention by the Texas Training Company, however the candidates who win Tuesday might acquire voting energy earlier than the tip of their four-year phrases.
Seventeen proposed amendments to the Texas Structure additionally shall be determined by voters, who’re being requested to weigh in on taxation, bail practices, dementia analysis and the state’s water provide, amongst different points.
There are 600 Election Day polling areas in Harris County, and voters registered within the county can solid ballots at any of these areas. Some voters are also eligible to vote by mail.
RELATED: Learn how to vote within the November 2025 election in Harris County
The early voting turnout in Harris County was about 8%, with greater than 212,000 voters casting ballots between Oct. 20-31. That was down from the 239,000 who voted early over the last state constitutional modification election in November 2023.
Among the many most frequented early voting websites this yr have been situated inside the 18th Congressional District and Cy-Honest ISD, suggesting the races there have been probably the most important drivers of voter turnout.
“Initially it began off fairly gradual with early voting,” Edwards mentioned Tuesday. “We noticed a turnaround and uptick in voters towards the tip, and it appears just like the Election Day line is beginning to type. Persons are desirous to solid their vote and make their voice heard.”
Constitutional disaster?
Two voters Tuesday on the Metropolitan Multi-Service Heart, situated on West Grey Road in west Houston, appeared perplexed about a few of the statewide constitutional amendments on the poll, together with the variety of them.
Thomas Perumean/Houston Public Media
The 17 propositions showing earlier than voters throughout Texas are a rise from November 2023, when there have been 14 constitutional amendments on the poll.
“It doesn’t appear regular,” Houston resident Geraldo Olivo mentioned. “It looks as if rather a lot.”
Most of the propositions on this yr’s poll are associated to taxation, together with property tax exemptions. There are also measures associated to bail practices and disciplining state judges, funding for technical schools, U.S. citizenship necessities for voting and parental rights.
Voting “sure” for Proposition 15 would affirm the rights and duties of fogeys, who have already got the suitable to care for his or her youngsters.
“We’re voting on whether or not or not mother and father have sovereignty over their youngsters. Why is that this mandatory for a constitutional modification?” Houston voter Feliza Bencosme mentioned. “It is only a very unhappy state of affairs that we’re in.”
Olivo mentioned he wished to train his proper to weigh in on the statewide propositions in addition to the extra native races on the poll, and he hoped others would do the identical all through the course of the day.
“I do know it is necessary, so I am right here,” he mentioned. “So I need to be certain. I need to do one thing.”
Houston Public Media’s Thomas Perumean contributed to this report.
