Houston’s democracy is wide awake, caffeinated, and moving at full speed. With multiple runoffs on the horizon and political dominoes falling across Harris County, voters from Acres Homes to the East End will once again be called to do what they do best — shape the future with their ballots.

And make no mistake: this is one of the most consequential local election cycles in decades.

A Congressional Seat Without a Representative — But Not for Long

On Monday afternoon, November 17, 2025, Gov. Greg Abbott announced the long-awaited runoff to fill the late Congressman Sylvester Turner’s 18th Congressional District seat — a district home to more than 700,000 residents who have gone unrepresented in the U.S. House since Turner’s passing on Wednesday, March 5, 2025.

The special election runoff is set for Saturday, January 31, 2026, with early voting beginning Wednesday, January 21. Voters will choose between Christian Menefee, Harris County’s Acting County Attorney, and Amanda Edwards, a former Houston At-Large City Council Member. Both candidates bring strong Houston ties, policy expertise, and a sense of urgency to a race that will shape the future representation of one of the nation’s most historic Black congressional districts.

Another Runoff Before That? Yes — Democracy Doesn’t Do Days Off.

Before voters even reach the upcoming congressional showdown, Houston faces another important election on Saturday, December 13, 2025, with early voting scheduled from Monday, December 1 through Friday, December 12. This race will determine who fills the Houston City Council At-Large Position 4 seat, vacated by Council Member Letitia Plummer, who has officially filed to run for Harris County Judge in the Super Tuesday Democratic Primary on March 3, 2026.

Your candidates:

• Dwight Boykins, respected business developer and former District D council member
• Alejandra Salinas, accomplished attorney from a prominent Houston law firm

Both earned roughly 20% in a crowded 15-candidate field on Tuesday, November 4, 2025, pushing the race into a head-to-head showdown.

The Super Tuesday Ballot Is Getting Longer by the Day

If your calendar isn’t full yet, buckle up. Filing for the Tuesday, March 3, 2026 Primaries is heating up fast, with the official deadline at 6:00 PM on Monday, December 8, 2025.

Among the biggest developments:

Al Green Makes a Bold Move

On Saturday, November 8, 2025, longtime U.S. Rep. Al Green filed to shift from representing Congressional District 9 to running in the newly redrawn District 18 — a district that significantly overlaps his current constituency.

The revamped District 9, stretching through Deer Park, La Porte, Baytown, and Liberty County, is now 65% Republican, prompting Green’s strategic pivot.

The U.S. Senate Race: A Texas-Sized Clash

Super Tuesday will also feature a political heavyweight battle:

REPUBLICAN PRIMARY

• Sen. John Cornyn, seeking a 5th term
• Ken Paxton, Texas Attorney General
• Rep. Wesley Hunt, Houston-based rising conservative voice

DEMOCRATIC PRIMARY

• Colin Allred, former U.S. Congressman
• Rep. James Talarico, progressive state representative
• And possibly Rep. Jasmine Crockett, who will decide on Thanksgiving Day whether to jump into the race

If Crockett enters, expect fireworks — the Dallas congresswoman has become one of the nation’s most watched political phenoms.

The Governor’s Race? Yes, That’s Heating Up Too.

Gov. Greg Abbott — who has already raised more than $90 million — faces a Republican Primary challenger in Mark Golby, a Houston accountant aiming to shake up GOP leadership.

On the Democratic side, the field is diverse and compelling:

• Chris Bell, former congressman and Houston City Council member
• Andrew White, Houston entrepreneur and son of former Gov. Mark White
• Rep. Gina Hinojosa, Austin lawmaker and daughter of former Texas Democratic Party Chair Gilbert Hinojosa

This race is wide open — and trending toward one of the biggest statewide turnout surges Texas has seen since the early 2000s.

What Houston Style Magazine Wants Readers to Know

Your vote carries more weight than ever, and every election mentioned here will shape Houston’s future in meaningful ways. Democracy functions like a muscle, and these elections are the moments that keep it strong. As the political heartbeat of Texas, Houston faces decisions that will influence not only 2026 but the decade ahead. Mark your calendars, confirm your voter registration, and encourage others to participate—because once again, Houston has the opportunity to show the nation what leadership looks like.