Amanda Edwards, a former Houston City Council member and attorney, is running in the special election for Texas’ 18th Congressional District. Early voting is underway from October 20 through October 31. Recent polls indicate a highly competitive race, with Edwards and Harris County Attorney Christian Menefee in a close contest.

Background and Experience

A native of Houston, Edwards graduated from Eisenhower High School in Aldine ISD and earned a political science degree from Emory University in 2004. She began her political career interning in Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee’s office, where she learned about constituent services and the legislative process. Edwards earned her law degree from Harvard Law School in 2007, where she served as a Criminal Justice Institute student attorney, co-chaired the Harvard Black Law Students Association Annual Spring Conference, and received the Elaine Osborne Jacobson Award for her work supporting underserved communities in healthcare law.

From 2016 to 2020, Edwards served on the Houston City Council (At-Large Position 4), building a reputation as a champion of innovation, equity, and community-driven solutions. She established the Mayor’s Technology & Innovation Task Force, contributing to Houston’s Innovation District and The Ion. She launched the Women- and Minority-Owned Business Task Force, which became the Business Ecosystem Alliance for Minorities & Women (BEAMW), helping entrepreneurs access capital, counseling, and growth opportunities. Edwards also brought expertise in municipal finance, serving as Vice Chair of the Budget & Fiscal Affairs Committee and on the Economic Development Committee. She co-vice-chaired the High-Capacity Transit Task Force, supported transit infrastructure expansion, led Hurricane Harvey relief efforts, and launched the Community Empowerment Signature Series, offering programming around healthcare, senior services, and women’s empowerment.

Campaign Focus

Edwards’ campaign emphasizes civil rights, economic opportunity, healthcare access, education, infrastructure, and resilience. She continues to support women- and minority-owned businesses, job creation through infrastructure investment, and federal support for Community Development Financial Institutions. She advocates protecting healthcare access under the Affordable Care Act and Medicaid, bolstering social services for seniors and low-income families, and expanding educational and youth mentorship programs. Edwards’ infrastructure goals include improving transit, roads, and resilient public works. She focuses on policies that affect everyday lives, from lowering grocery costs to strengthening protections for healthcare and Social Security, while ensuring equitable opportunities for all.

Polling and Voter Engagement

Recent polling shows Edwards in a close race with Menefee, highlighting a competitive contest where name recognition, grassroots engagement, and direct voter contact could be decisive. Edwards has been actively engaging voters across the district, meeting residents in their neighborhoods and addressing confusion about the special election. She emphasizes the importance of staying connected to the community, saying, “Every time we're out, every time we knock, every time we have calls, there are groups of people — who are in the cohort of people who typically vote — who are confused.”

Conclusion

Amanda Edwards positions herself as a candidate deeply connected to the community, with a record of public service and a commitment to addressing the issues that matter most to the residents of Texas’ 18th Congressional District. As early voting continues, her campaign remains focused on mobilizing voters and securing strong support ahead of Election Day.