HOUSTON, TEXAS — In a move that sent ripples through Houston’s political landscape, State Representative Jolanda Jones has officially declared her candidacy in the Special Election to fill the Congressional District 18 seat — a seat long championed by legendary figures like Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee, Congressman Mickey Leland, and the iconic Barbara Jordan. Now, Jones is boldly stepping forward with a legacy of her own and a fiery promise: to fight unapologetically for the people of Houston.

With the Tuesday, November 4 Special Election looming, Jones joins a powerful and growing field of contenders, including Harris County Attorney Christian Menefee and former Council Member Amanda Edwards. But few can claim the deeply rooted connection to District 18 that Jones embodies. Born and raised in the very neighborhood where her grandparents built their home in the 1930s, and where her great-grandparents settled around 1900, her ties to Acres Homes and the Fifth Ward run deeper than campaign slogans — they are carved into Houston's history.

“I’ve been asked to run for years. But I was raised to finish what I start,” Jones declared, her voice unmistakably bold, her presence commanding. “Now that this legislative session is complete, it’s time.”

Jones isn’t just bringing history with her — she’s bringing heat. Known as a towering force in both stature and spirit, she’s earned a reputation for being as unrelenting as a Gulf Coast summer. A former All-American athlete, UH Law graduate, criminal defense attorney, and reality TV standout, she’s also a proven policymaker. Her track record in Austin includes championing bills that advanced criminal justice reform, voting rights, and maternal health — often reaching across the aisle to get it done.

But make no mistake: Jolanda Jones is no political chameleon. She’s a fierce Democrat with a progressive spine, unshakably committed to protecting public schools, Social Security, reproductive rights, LGBTQ+ equity, and veterans’ benefits.

“No one will fight harder for this district — not for the headlines, but for our future,” she said. “This district raised me. It’s personal.”

Her campaign, proudly symbolized by a torch, represents both continuity and revolution — a homage to leaders past and a spotlight on the path ahead.

As the daughter of a fallen U.S. Marine and a single mother who raised five children, Jones knows hardship intimately. And it’s that lived experience that fuels her relentless advocacy. She’s not running for the spotlight. She’s running to make sure the next generation — including her own newly born grandchild — inherits a better world.

With a September 3rd filing deadline, the nonpartisan race is already shaping up to be one of the most consequential of the year. Given District 18’s 75% Democratic lean, the November 4 Special Election will likely head to a December 9 run-off, where vision, grit, and community ties will matter more than money and polish.

Jones has never been about polish. She’s always been about power — the people’s power.

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Learn more about Jolanda Jones and her campaign for Congress: www.jolandajones.com
Election Day: Tuesday, November 4
Filing Deadline: Tuesday, September 3
Possible Run-off: Monday, December 9