Christian D. Menefee, Harris County Attorney and congressional candidate for Texas's 18th Congressional District, held a press conference Monday morning urging Governor Greg Abbott to promptly schedule a special election to fill the vacant seat in the district.

Speaking in front of the Social Security Administration building, Menefee emphasized the importance of ensuring representation for the district in Congress, particularly as significant national and state decisions are being made. The seat remains unfilled, leaving constituents without a voice in Washington, D.C.

“It's no secret that Gov. Abbott and I don't agree on many policies. I've pushed back against him many times. But the one thing we should both be able to agree on is that all Texans deserve representation,” Menefee stated. He also pointed out that Abbott has previously called special elections within days of vacancies in other districts, such as Texas’s 34th Congressional District in 2022, but has yet to take action for the 18th District.

The call for urgency was echoed by local residents. Rosie Powell, a constituent who relies on Social Security, expressed concern over the delay. “We've seen Governor Abbott move quickly to call special elections in other districts. He acted fast, like the people in those communities mattered. So, I have to ask: does Governor Abbott not care about us, too?” Powell said. She referenced the Civil Rights Act and the Voting Rights Act, underscoring the importance of timely representation for her community.

Menefee concluded the press conference by framing the issue as a fundamental democratic right. “This is a defining moment for our democracy,” he said. “The people of Texas's 18th Congressional District deserve representation now, not nine months from now. Governor Abbott: call the election. Let our people vote, and give them the representation they deserve.”

Governor Abbott has not yet responded publicly to Menefee’s remarks or indicated when he will set a date for the special election.