Special elections to the 119th United States Congress (2025-2026)
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Special elections to U.S. Congress are required in the event of vacancies. This page is a compilation of all special elections to the 119th Congress in 2025-2026.
As of September 2025, four special elections have been held, and there are four upcoming special elections scheduled to take place. The following special elections are upcoming:
- Texas' 18th Congressional District on November 4, 2025
- Tennessee's 7th Congressional District on December 2, 2025
- Ohio Senate on November 3, 2026
- Florida Senate on November 3, 2026
The following special elections already occurred:
- Florida's 1st Congressional District on April 1, 2025
- Florida's 6th Congressional District on April 1, 2025
- Virginia's 11th Congressional District on September 9, 2025
- Arizona's 7th Congressional District on September 23, 2025
Special elections to Congress occur when a legislator resigns or is removed from office. Depending on the specific state laws governing vacancies, a state can either hold an election within the same calendar year or wait until the next regularly scheduled election.
Eighty special elections to Congress were called during the 113th through 118th Congresses. During that time, special elections were called for 29 seats vacated by Democrats and 51 vacated by Republicans.
Special elections
House
Senate
Special election results
House
| Race | Election date | Incumbent | Winner | Election MOV | Previous election MOV | 2024 Presidential election MOV[1] |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Arizona's 7th Congressional District | September 23, 2025 |  Raúl Grijalva |
Adelita Grijalva |
D+40 | D+27 | D+22 |
| Florida's 1st Congressional District | April 1, 2025 | Matt Gaetz | Jimmy Patronis | R+15 | R+32 | R+37 |
| Florida's 6th Congressional District | April 1, 2025 | Michael Waltz | Randy Fine | R+14 | R+33 | R+30 |
| Tennessee's 7th Congressional District | December 2, 2025 | Mark Green | TBD | TBD | R+22 | R+22 |
| Texas' 18th Congressional District | November 4, 2025 | Sylvester Turner | TBD | TBD | D+39 | D+40 |
| Virginia's 11th Congressional District | September 9, 2025 | Gerald Connolly |
James Walkinshaw |
D+50 | D+34 | D+34 |
Texas' 18th Congressional District special election, 2025
Christian Menefee (D) and Amanda Edwards (D) advanced from the special general election on November 4, 2025 to a runoff. Candidates from all parties ran in the election. Because no candidate won an outright majority, the top two candidates advanced to a general runoff, which will be held on January 31, 2026. The winner of this election will be the fourth person to represent the district since 2024 and will serve the remainder of former Rep. Sylvester Turner's term through January 2027.
Former Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee (D) represented the district from 1995 until she died in July 2024.[2] On Nov. 5, 2024, Erica Lee Carter won the special election to fill the vacancy, and Sylvester Turner won the general election. Carter represented the district from Nov. 12, 2024, to Jan. 3, 2025, when Turner assumed office. Turner died on March 5, 2025.[3]
As of November 3, 2025, Republicans had a 219-213 House majority with three vacancies.[4]
Four candidates — Menefee, Edwards, Jolanda Jones (D), and Carmen Montiel (R) — led in media attention, polling, and endorsements.
- Menefee was elected Harris County Attorney in 2020. His campaign website said he had "been engaged in the national legal fight against Trump—challenging his administration’s efforts to cut funding for life-saving medical research and deny birthright citizenship to immigrant families" and that he ran because "Trump and his allies are making life harder for everyday Americans—rolling back voting rights, attacking reproductive freedom, and rigging the economy for billionaires."[5] Former U.S. Rep. Erica Lee Carter (D), who represented the district for two months after Lee's death, U.S. Rep. Jasmine Crockett (D-Texas), U.S. Rep. Lizzie Pannill Fletcher (D-Texas), former U.S. Rep. Beto O'Rourke (D-Texas), and former U.S. Rep. Colin Allred (D-Texas) endorsed Menefee.[6]
- Edwards was an attorney and founded a nonprofit.[7] She was elected at large to the Houston City Council in 2015 and was a member of the council from 2016 to 2020. Her campaign website said she was "laser-focused on delivering transformative results for the community, from lowering the price of groceries, building better schools, roads, and homes, protecting our healthcare and social security, and standing up to the Trump administration."[8] U.S. Reps. Lateefah Simon (D-Calif.) and Jennifer McClellan (D-Va.) endorsed Edwards.[9]
- Jones was an attorney and was elected to represent District 147 in the Texas House of Representatives in 2022. Before she was elected to the state House, Jones was also a member of the Houston City Council and the Houston Independent School District school board. Jones' campaign website said she would, "fight to stop Trump cuts to healthcare and Medicaid, Social Security, education, and veterans ... fight to lower the cost of prescription drugs, expand coverage for mental health care and substance abuse – and make healthcare more affordable and accessible for all of us."[10] Former U.S. Rep. Craig Washington (D), who represented the district from 1989 to 1995, and U.S. Rep. Bonnie Watson Coleman (D-N.J.) endorsed Jones.[11]
- Montiel was a real estate broker and former news anchor.[12] According to her campaign website, Montiel grew up in Venezuela and came to the U.S. in 1998. Her campaign website said she "witnessed firsthand the devastating collapse of Venezuela under socialist rule.... That experience drives Carmen’s mission today. She understands, better than most, what happens when a nation abandons its core values. She sees the warning signs in America, and she refuses to stay silent."[13] Montiel's campaign website said she would advocate for "secure borders", "safe communities", "economic opportunity", and "education free from political indoctrination."[13] Former Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst (R) and Texas Commissioner of Agriculture Sid Miller (R) endorsed Montiel.[14]
On September 21, 2025, AfroVibes TV hosted a debate with nine candidates. Edwards, Jones, Menefee, and Montiel all participated. Click here to watch the debate.
According to the financial reports filed with the FEC on October 15, 2025, the following is a breakdown of the amount each candidate raised and spent. Click here to see each candidate's campaign finance reports.
- Menefee raised $1.5 million and spent $1.1 million.
- Edwards raised $1.3 million and spent $936,000.
- Jones raised $342,000 and spent $314,000.
- Montiel raised $61,000 and spent $41,000.
According to the Texas Tribune's Natalia Contreras, "The 18th Congressional District, which includes inner Houston and surrounding Harris County areas, is home to more than 760,000 people. It was shaped by redistricting that followed the 1965 Voting Rights Act — signed into law by president Lyndon B. Johnson — and deliberately crafted to strengthen minority representation in Houston."[15]
The Texas Legislature voted to redraw the state's congressional district boundaries, including those of the 18th District, in August 2025. Governor Greg Abbott (R) signed the new map into law on August 29, 2025. The special election took place within the boundaries of the old district. Click here to learn more about redistricting in Texas ahead of the 2026 elections.
Feldon Bonner II (D), Stephen Huey (D), Isaiah Martin (D), Valencia Williams (D), Theodis Daniel (R), Ollie Knox (R), Carter Page (R), Ronald Whitfield (R), Tammie Rochester (G), Reyna Anderson (Independent), Vince Duncan (Independent), and George Foreman (Independent) also ran.
Huey, Menefee, Montiel, and Rochester completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey. Click here to read their responses.
Tennessee's 7th Congressional District special election, 2025
Senate
| Race | Election date | Incumbent | Winner | Election MOV | Previous election MOV | 2024 Presidential election MOV[16] |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ohio Senate | November 3, 2026 | J.D. Vance | TBD | TBD | R+3.6 | R+11 |
| Florida Senate | November 3, 2026 | Marco Rubio | TBD | TBD | R+13 | R+13 |
United States Senate special election in Ohio, 2026
On November 3, 2026, there will be a special election to fill the rest of the six-year term that J.D. Vance (R) was elected to in 2022. Primaries are scheduled for May 5, 2026. The filing deadline is February 4, 2026.[17]
The special election will fill the vacancy left by J.D. Vance (R), who was elected to the vice-presidency.
United States Senate special election in Florida, 2026
On November 3, 2026, there will be a special election to fill the rest of the six-year term that Marco Rubio (R) was elected to in 2022. Primaries are scheduled for August 18, 2026. The filing deadline is April 24, 2026.[18][19]
The special election will fill the vacancy left by Marco Rubio (R), who was confirmed as U.S. Secretary of State on January 20, 2025.
Special elections that did not change partisan control
Arizona's 7th Congressional District special election, 2025
A special election to fill the seat representing Arizona's 7th Congressional District in the U.S. House was held in 2025. Primaries were scheduled for July 15, 2025. The general election was held September 23, 2025. The filing deadline was April 14, 2025.[20][21]
The special election filled the vacancy left by Raúl Grijalva (D), who died on March 13, 2025.[22]
Florida's 1st Congressional District special election, 2025
A special election to fill the seat representing Florida's 1st Congressional District in the U.S. House was held in 2025. A Republican Party primary was scheduled for January 28, 2025. The Democratic primary was canceled after only one candidate qualified for the ballot. The general election was held April 1, 2025. The filing deadline was December 6, 2024.
The special election filled the vacancy left by Matt Gaetz (R), who resigned from office after being selected by Donald Trump (R) to be his nominee for attorney general. Gaetz later withdrew himself from consideration for the position.
Florida's 6th Congressional District special election, 2025
Randy Fine (R) defeated Joshua Weil (D), Andrew Parrott (L), and Randall Terry (I) in the special general election for Florida's 6th Congressional District on April 1.[23][24]
This election, along with one for Florida’s 1st Congressional District, were the first special Congressional elections held during President Donald Trump’s (R) second term.
The special election filled the vacancy left by Michael Waltz (R), who Trump selected to serve as national security advisor in his second presidential term.[25]
The Daytona Beach News-Journal's Mark Haper wrote the race "has drawn national attention and is being viewed by eyes across the nation as a test of President Donald Trump's first two months in office."[26]
Fine was a state Senator for District 19 and a former member of the Florida House of Representatives for District 53 and District 33. Fine's campaign website listed priorities including "LOWER[ing] insurance rates and hold insurance companies accountable... PROTECT[ing] Social Security and Medicare... SECUR[ing] our borders."[27] Fine also campaigned as a supporter of Donald Trump's (R) agenda in Congress, and said, "I believe in the America First agenda and the Donald Trump agenda. And more importantly, I think that when you have a team captain, you have to support the team."[28]
Weil was a teacher. Weil campaigned to improve the affordability of housing and said in his response to Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey, "We need federal, bi-partisan legislation to ban the ownership of single family residential properties by corporations, and putting housing back in the hands of the people who need it."[29] Weil also campaigned to protect and expand Social Security. In his survey response, he wrote: "Not only do we need to protect Social Security... we need to expand the cap and increase the current COLA so that it actually meets the needs of seniors in our current economy, and will continue to meet those needs for years to come."[30]
The New York Times' Shane Goldmacher wrote, "Democrats are now pressing to turn this deep-red district around Daytona Beach into — if not an actual victory — a symbol of much-needed momentum by cutting deeply into the district’s typical G.O.P. margin."[31] National figures, including Democratic National Committee chair Ken Martin (D) and Bernie Sanders (I), were involved in the race, with Martin having campaigned for Weil and Sanders having endorsed him.[32][33] National Republicans also got involved in Fine's campaign. Pres. Trump held two virtual rallies for Fine and Elon Musk's America PAC spent money to help Fine's campaign.[34]
Weil answered Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey. To read his responses, click here.
As of March 12, 2025, Weil had raised $9.4 million and spent $8.2 million, Fine had raised $987,459 and spent $894,765.85.
At the time of the election, five special elections had been called for the 119th Congress. From the 113th Congress to the 118th Congress, 80 special elections were held. For more data on historical congressional special elections, click here.
Virginia's 11th Congressional District special election, 2025
A special election to fill the seat representing Virginia's 11th Congressional District in the U.S. House was held in 2025. The general election was held September 9, 2025. The filing deadline was July 11, 2025.[35]
The special election filled the vacancy left by Gerald Connolly (D), who died on May 21, 2025.[36]
Historical election data
Special elections, 2013-2025
From 2013 to 2025, 88 special elections to the United States Congress were called during the 113th through 119th Congresses. During that time, special elections were called for 32 seats vacated by Democrats and 56 vacated by Republicans.
The table below details how many congressional seats changed parties as the result of a special election between 2013 and 2024. The numbers on the left side of the table reflect how many vacant seats were originally held by each party, while the numbers on the right side of the table show how many vacant seats each party won in special elections.
| Congressional special election vacancies and results, 113th Congress to 119th Congress | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Congress | Total elections held | Vacancies before elections | Seats held after elections | Net change | ||
| Democrats
|
 Republicans
|
Democrats
|
Republicans
| |||
| 119th Congress | 4 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | No change |
| 118th Congress | 13 | 6 | 7 | 7 | 6 | +1D, -1R |
| 117th Congress | 17 | 7 | 10 | 7 | 10 | No change |
| 116th Congress | 10 | 3 | 7 | 4 | 6 | +1D, -1R |
| 115th Congress | 17 | 4 | 13 | 8 | 9 | +4 D, -4 R |
| 114th Congress | 7 | 2 | 5 | 2 | 5 | No change |
| 113th Congress | 16 | 7 | 9 | 7 | 9 | No change |
| Averages | 12.0 | 4.4 | 7.6 | 5.3 | 6.7 | N/A |
| U.S. Senate special election partisan change from special elections, 113th Congress to 118th Congress | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Party | As of special election | After special election | ||||
| Democrats |
5 | 8 | ||||
| Republicans |
7 | 4 | ||||
| Total | 12 | 12 | ||||
| U.S. House special election partisan change from special elections, 113th Congress to 119th Congress | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Party | As of special election | After special election | ||||
| Democrats |
22 | 25 | ||||
| Republicans |
41 | 38 | ||||
| Total | 63 | 63 | ||||
Special elections, 1986-2012
The table below presents the results of special elections to Congress from 1986 to 2012. Contact Ballotpedia at editor@ballotpedia.org for access to earlier data.
| Results of special elections to Congress (1986-2012) | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Election cycle | Total special elections | U.S. House elections | Seats changing partisan control | U.S. Senate elections | Seats changing partisan control | |
| 2011-2012 | 11 | 11 | None | None | None | |
| 2009-2010 | 15 | 10 | 3 (2 Democratic gains; 1 Republican gain) | 5 | 2 (all Republican gains) | |
| 2007-2008 | 14 | 12 | 3 (2 Republican gains; 1 Democratic gain) | 2 | None | |
| 2005-2006 | 12 | 12 | 3 (all Democratic gains) | None | None | |
| 2003-2004 | 6 | 6 | None | None | None | |
| 2001-2002 | 6 | 5 | 2 (all Democratic gains) | 1 | 1 (Republican gain) | |
| 1999-2000 | 9 | 8 | 1 (Republican gain) | 1 | 1 (Democratic gain) | |
| 1997-1998 | 3 | 3 | None | None | None | |
| 1995-1996 | 11 | 9 | 1 (Republican gain) | 2 | 1 (Democratic gain) | |
| 1993-1994 | 9 | 6 | 1 (Republican gain) | 3 | 3 (all Republican gains) | |
| 1991-1992 | 10 | 7 | 2 (all Republican gains) | 3 | 1 (Democratic gain) | |
| 1989-1990 | 10 | 8 | 1 (Democratic gain) | 2 | None | |
| 1987-1988 | 12 | 12 | 3 (2 Democratic gains; 1 Republican gain) | None | None | |
| 1985-1986 | 8 | 8 | 1 (Republican gain) | None | None | |
| Total | 136 | 117 | 21 (11 Democratic gains; 10 Republican gains) | 19 | 9 (6 Republican gains; 3 Democratic gains) | |
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See also
- United States Congress
- United States Senate
- United States House of Representatives
- Filling vacancies in the U.S. Senate
Footnotes
- ↑ The Downballot, "The Downballot's calculations of presidential election results by congressional district, sponsored by Grassroots Analytics," April 23, 2025
- ↑ Biographical Directory of the United States Congress, "JACKSON LEE, Sheila," accessed October 25, 2025
- ↑ Houston Chronicle, "Houston Chronicle, "Sylvester Turner, former Houston mayor, dies at 69," March 5, 2025
- ↑ Texas Tribune, "Gov. Greg Abbott sets Nov. 4 special election to fill U.S. Rep. Sylvester Turner’s seat," April 7, 2025
- ↑ Christian Menefee 2025 campaign finance, "About," accessed October 9, 2025
- ↑ Christian Menefee 2025 campaign website, "Endorsements," accessed October 10, 2025
- ↑ LinkedIn, "Amanda Edwards," accessed October 8, 2025
- ↑ Amanda Edwards 2025 campaign website, "Home," accessed October 9, 2025
- ↑ Amanda Edwards 2025 campaign website, "Endorsements," accessed October 10, 2025
- ↑ Jolanda Jones 2025 campaign website, "Home," accessed October 9, 2025
- ↑ Jolanda Jones 2025 campaign website, "Endorsements," accessed October 10, 2025
- ↑ LinkedIn, "Carmen Maria Montiel," accessed October 8, 2025
- ↑ 13.0 13.1 Carmen Montiel, "About," accessed October 9, 2025
- ↑ Carmen Montiel 2025 campaign website, "Endorsements," accessed October 10, 2025
- ↑ Texas Tribune, "How Texas’ mid-decade redistricting could affect voters in one Houston community," August 19, 2025
- ↑ The Downballot, "The Downballot's calculations of presidential election results by congressional district, sponsored by Grassroots Analytics," April 23, 2025
- ↑ Ohio Secretary of State, "2026 Candidate Requirement Guide," accessed August 22, 2025
- ↑ Florida Divisions of Elections, "Qualifying Information," accessed August 22, 2025
- ↑ Florida Division of Elections, "Election Dates," accessed August 22, 2025
- ↑ Arizona Secretary of State, "Elections Calendar & Upcoming Events," accessed March 17, 2025
- ↑ Arizona Secretary of State, "Arizona's Process for U.S. House Special Elections," March 14, 2025
- ↑ Politico, "Raúl Grijalva, Arizona Congressman, Dies at 77," accessed March 13, 2025
- ↑ New York Times, "Florida Special Election Results," accessed April 1, 2025
- ↑ Decision Desk HQ, "2025 Florida General," accessed April 1, 2025
- ↑ Wall Street Journal, "Trump Expected to Nominate Rubio for Secretary of State, and Picks Waltz as National Security Adviser," November 12, 2024
- ↑ The Daytona Beach News-Journal, "Tight Florida congressional contest enters final days, race draws national attention," March 30, 2025
- ↑ Randy Fine 2025 campaign website, "Issues," accessed March 31, 2025
- ↑ WBAL, "State Sen. Randy Fine says he doesn't think he disagrees with Trump on anything," March 31, 2025
- ↑ Response from Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey
- ↑ Response from Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey
- ↑ The New York Times, "A Special Election That Was Supposed to Be a Snoozer Is Suddenly Buzzing," March 31, 2025
- ↑ Florida Politics, "Democratic leader descends on Florida in races for two members of Congress in Special Elections Tuesday," March 30, 2025
- ↑ The Hill, "Sanders endorses Democrat in contested Florida special House race," March 28, 2025
- ↑ The Hill, "Republicans look to avert humiliation in Florida special election," March 30, 2025
- ↑ Commonwealth of Virginia Executive Department, "Writ of Special Election CD 11," June 3, 2025
- ↑ WJLA, "Virginia Gov. Youngkin calls for special election to fill seat of late Rep. Gerry Connolly," June 3, 2025
- ↑ Both general election candidates were Republicans.
- ↑ This race was unopposed.
- ↑ 39.0 39.1 Both general election candidates were Democrats.
- ↑ Lamb won by a margin of 0.4 percentage points.
- ↑ Wild won by a margin of 0.2 percentage points.
- ↑ The state Board of Elections declined to certify the results of the 2018 election following allegations of absentee ballot fraud.
- ↑ Collins won by 0.3 percentage points.
- ↑ This special election was called to fill the vacancy left by 2020 Congressman-elect Luke Letlow (R), who died before being sworn in to Congress.
- ↑ Runoff MOV between two Republican candidates.
- ↑ Runoff MOV between two Democratic candidates.
- ↑ Runoff MOV between two Republican candidates.
