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Texas' 18th Congressional District election, 2026

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2024
Texas' 18th Congressional District
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Democratic primary
Republican primary
General election
Election details
Filing deadline: December 8, 2025
Primary: March 3, 2026
Primary runoff: May 26, 2026
General: November 3, 2026
How to vote
Poll times:

7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Voting in Texas

Race ratings
Cook Political Report: Solid Democratic
DDHQ and The Hill: Pending
Inside Elections: Solid Democratic
Sabato's Crystal Ball: Safe Democratic
Ballotpedia analysis
U.S. Senate battlegrounds
U.S. House battlegrounds
Federal and state primary competitiveness
Ballotpedia's Election Analysis Hub, 2026
See also
Texas' 18th Congressional District
U.S. Senate1st2nd3rd4th5th6th7th8th9th10th11th12th13th14th15th16th17th18th19th20th21st22nd23rd24th25th26th27th28th29th30th31st32nd33rd34th35th36th37th38th
Texas elections, 2026
U.S. Congress elections, 2026
U.S. Senate elections, 2026
U.S. House elections, 2026

All U.S. House districts, including the 18th Congressional District of Texas, are holding elections in 2026. The general election is November 3, 2026. The primary is March 3, 2026, and a primary runoff is May 26, 2026. The filing deadline is December 8, 2025. For more information about the primaries in this election, click on the links below:

Candidates and election results

Note: The following list includes official candidates only. Ballotpedia defines official candidates as people who:

  • Register with a federal or state campaign finance agency before the candidate filing deadline
  • Appear on candidate lists released by government election agencies

General election

The primary will occur on March 3, 2026. The general election will occur on November 3, 2026. General election candidates will be added here following the primary.

Withdrawn or disqualified candidates

Democratic primary election

There are no candidates on the ballot in the Democratic primary at this time.

Withdrawn or disqualified candidates

Republican primary election

Republican primary for U.S. House Texas District 18

Allen Berry, Carmen Montiel, and Cyrus Sajna are running in the Republican primary for U.S. House Texas District 18 on March 3, 2026.


Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Candidate profiles

There are currently no candidate profiles created for this race. Candidate profiles will appear here as they are created. Encourage the candidates in this race to complete Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey so that their profile will appear here.

Voting information

See also: Voting in Texas

Ballotpedia will publish the dates and deadlines related to this election as they are made available.

Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey responses

Ballotpedia asks all federal, state, and local candidates to complete a survey and share what motivates them on political and personal levels. Candidates are asked three required questions for this survey, but they may answer additional optional questions as well.

No candidate in this race has completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey. Ballotpedia is seeking 100 percent participation so voters can learn more about all the candidates on their ballots.

Campaign finance

Name Party Receipts* Disbursements** Cash on hand Date
Allen Berry Republican Party $0 $0 $0 Data not available***
Carmen Montiel Republican Party $5,206 $3,135 $2,514 As of June 30, 2025
Cyrus Sajna Republican Party $0 $0 $0 Data not available***

Source: Federal Elections Commission, "Campaign finance data," 2026. This product uses the openFEC API but is not endorsed or certified by the Federal Election Commission (FEC).

* According to the FEC, "Receipts are anything of value (money, goods, services or property) received by a political committee."
** According to the FEC, a disbursement "is a purchase, payment, distribution, loan, advance, deposit or gift of money or anything of value to influence a federal election," plus other kinds of payments not made to influence a federal election.
*** Candidate either did not report any receipts or disbursements to the FEC, or Ballotpedia did not find an FEC candidate ID.

General election race ratings

See also: Race rating definitions and methods

Ballotpedia provides race ratings from four outlets: The Cook Political Report, Inside Elections, Sabato's Crystal Ball, and DDHQ/The Hill. Each race rating indicates if one party is perceived to have an advantage in the race and, if so, the degree of advantage:

  • Safe and Solid ratings indicate that one party has a clear edge and the race is not competitive.
  • Likely ratings indicate that one party has a clear edge, but an upset is possible.
  • Lean ratings indicate that one party has a small edge, but the race is competitive.[1]
  • Toss-up ratings indicate that neither party has an advantage.

Race ratings are informed by a number of factors, including polling, candidate quality, and election result history in the race's district or state.[2][3][4]

Race ratings: Texas' 18th Congressional District election, 2026
Race trackerRace ratings
9/23/20259/16/20259/9/20259/2/2025
The Cook Political Report with Amy WalterSolid DemocraticSolid DemocraticSolid DemocraticSolid Democratic
Decision Desk HQ and The HillPendingPendingPendingPending
Inside Elections with Nathan L. GonzalesSolid DemocraticSolid DemocraticSolid DemocraticSolid Democratic
Larry J. Sabato's Crystal BallSafe DemocraticSafe DemocraticSafe DemocraticSafe Democratic
Note: Ballotpedia reviews external race ratings every week throughout the election season and posts weekly updates even if the media outlets have not revised their ratings during that week.

Ballot access

This section will contain information on ballot access related to this state's elections when it is available.

District history

The section below details election results for this office in elections dating back to 2020.

2024

Regular election

See also: Texas' 18th Congressional District election, 2024

Texas' 18th Congressional District election, 2024 (March 5 Republican primary)

Texas' 18th Congressional District election, 2024 (March 5 Democratic primary)

General election
General election for U.S. House Texas District 18

Sylvester Turner defeated Lana Centonze, Vince Duncan, and Kevin Dural in the general election for U.S. House Texas District 18 on November 5, 2024.

Candidate
%
Votes
Image of Sylvester Turner
Sylvester Turner (D)
 
69.4
 
151,834
Image of Lana Centonze
Lana Centonze (R) Candidate Connection
 
30.5
 
66,810
Image of Vince Duncan
Vince Duncan (Independent) (Write-in)
 
0.0
 
62
Image of Kevin Dural
Kevin Dural (Independent) (Write-in)
 
0.0
 
14

Total votes: 218,720
Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.

Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

Withdrawn or disqualified candidates
Democratic primary election
Democratic primary for U.S. House Texas District 18

Incumbent Sheila Jackson Lee defeated Amanda Edwards and Robert Slater (Unofficially withdrew) in the Democratic primary for U.S. House Texas District 18 on March 5, 2024.

Candidate
%
Votes
Image of Sheila Jackson Lee
Sheila Jackson Lee
 
60.0
 
23,629
Image of Amanda Edwards
Amanda Edwards
 
37.3
 
14,668
Image of Robert Slater
Robert Slater (Unofficially withdrew) Candidate Connection
 
2.7
 
1,059

Total votes: 39,356
Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.

Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

Withdrawn or disqualified candidates
Republican primary election
Republican primary for U.S. House Texas District 18

Lana Centonze defeated Aaron Hermes in the Republican primary for U.S. House Texas District 18 on March 5, 2024.

Candidate
%
Votes
Image of Lana Centonze
Lana Centonze Candidate Connection
 
53.3
 
6,202
Image of Aaron Hermes
Aaron Hermes Candidate Connection
 
46.7
 
5,438

Total votes: 11,640
Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.

Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

Special election

See also: Texas' 18th Congressional District special election, 2024

The special election filled the vacancy left by Sheila Jackson Lee (D), who died on July 19, 2024.[5]

General election
Special general election for U.S. House Texas District 18

Erica Lee Carter defeated Maria Dunn and Kevin Dural in the special general election for U.S. House Texas District 18 on November 5, 2024.

Candidate
%
Votes
Image of Erica Lee Carter
Erica Lee Carter (D)
 
67.9
 
146,413
Image of Maria Dunn
Maria Dunn (R) Candidate Connection
 
22.2
 
47,835
Image of Kevin Dural
Kevin Dural (R)
 
9.9
 
21,257

Total votes: 215,505
Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.

Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

2022

See also: Texas' 18th Congressional District election, 2022

General election

General election for U.S. House Texas District 18

Incumbent Sheila Jackson Lee defeated Carmen Montiel, Vince Duncan, and Phil Kurtz in the general election for U.S. House Texas District 18 on November 8, 2022.

Candidate
%
Votes
Image of Sheila Jackson Lee
Sheila Jackson Lee (D)
 
70.7
 
110,511
Image of Carmen Montiel
Carmen Montiel (R) Candidate Connection
 
26.2
 
40,941
Image of Vince Duncan
Vince Duncan (Independent)
 
1.8
 
2,766
Image of Phil Kurtz
Phil Kurtz (L)
 
1.3
 
2,050

Total votes: 156,268
Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.

Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

Democratic primary election

Democratic primary for U.S. House Texas District 18

Incumbent Sheila Jackson Lee advanced from the Democratic primary for U.S. House Texas District 18 on March 1, 2022.

Candidate
%
Votes
Image of Sheila Jackson Lee
Sheila Jackson Lee
 
100.0
 
35,194

Total votes: 35,194
Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.

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Withdrawn or disqualified candidates

Republican primary election

Republican primary for U.S. House Texas District 18

Carmen Montiel advanced from the Republican primary for U.S. House Texas District 18 on March 1, 2022.

Candidate
%
Votes
Image of Carmen Montiel
Carmen Montiel Candidate Connection
 
100.0
 
11,087

Total votes: 11,087
Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.

Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

Withdrawn or disqualified candidates

Libertarian convention

Libertarian convention for U.S. House Texas District 18

Phil Kurtz advanced from the Libertarian convention for U.S. House Texas District 18 on March 12, 2022.

Candidate
%
Votes
Image of Phil Kurtz
Phil Kurtz (L)
 
90.7
 
39
 Other/Write-in votes
 
9.3
 
4

Total votes: 43
Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.

Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

2020

See also: Texas' 18th Congressional District election, 2020

General election

General election for U.S. House Texas District 18

Incumbent Sheila Jackson Lee defeated Wendell Champion, Luke Spencer, and Vince Duncan in the general election for U.S. House Texas District 18 on November 3, 2020.

Candidate
%
Votes
Image of Sheila Jackson Lee
Sheila Jackson Lee (D)
 
73.3
 
180,952
Image of Wendell Champion
Wendell Champion (R) Candidate Connection
 
23.5
 
58,033
Image of Luke Spencer
Luke Spencer (L)
 
1.8
 
4,514
Image of Vince Duncan
Vince Duncan (Independent) Candidate Connection
 
1.4
 
3,396

Total votes: 246,895
Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.

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Watch the Candidate Conversation for this race!

Republican primary runoff election

Republican primary runoff for U.S. House Texas District 18

Wendell Champion defeated Robert Cadena in the Republican primary runoff for U.S. House Texas District 18 on July 14, 2020.

Candidate
%
Votes
Image of Wendell Champion
Wendell Champion Candidate Connection
 
71.8
 
4,000
Image of Robert Cadena
Robert Cadena Candidate Connection
 
28.2
 
1,570

Total votes: 5,570
Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.

Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

Democratic primary election

Democratic primary for U.S. House Texas District 18

The following candidates ran in the Democratic primary for U.S. House Texas District 18 on March 3, 2020.

Candidate
%
Votes
Image of Sheila Jackson Lee
Sheila Jackson Lee
 
77.1
 
49,729
Image of Marc Flores
Marc Flores Candidate Connection
 
8.3
 
5,353
Image of Bimal Patel
Bimal Patel
 
3.8
 
2,456
Image of Jerry Ford Sr.
Jerry Ford Sr.
 
3.7
 
2,417
Image of Stevens Orozco
Stevens Orozco Candidate Connection
 
3.4
 
2,180
Image of Michael Allen
Michael Allen Candidate Connection
 
2.6
 
1,672
Image of Donovan Boson
Donovan Boson Candidate Connection
 
1.1
 
709

Total votes: 64,516
Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.

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Republican primary election

Republican primary for U.S. House Texas District 18

The following candidates ran in the Republican primary for U.S. House Texas District 18 on March 3, 2020.

Candidate
%
Votes
Image of Wendell Champion
Wendell Champion Candidate Connection
 
35.1
 
3,428
Image of Robert Cadena
Robert Cadena Candidate Connection
 
20.5
 
2,005
Image of T.C. Manning
T.C. Manning Candidate Connection
 
18.7
 
1,823
Image of Nathan Milliron
Nathan Milliron Candidate Connection
 
11.0
 
1,076
Image of Ava Pate
Ava Pate
 
8.1
 
794
Nellie Heiskell
 
6.5
 
638

Total votes: 9,764
Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.

Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

Withdrawn or disqualified candidates

Libertarian convention

Libertarian convention for U.S. House Texas District 18

Luke Spencer advanced from the Libertarian convention for U.S. House Texas District 18 on March 21, 2020.

Candidate
Image of Luke Spencer
Luke Spencer (L)

Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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District analysis

This section will contain facts and figures related to this district's elections when those are available.

See also

Texas 2026 primaries 2026 U.S. Congress elections
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External links

Footnotes

  1. Inside Elections also uses Tilt ratings to indicate an even smaller advantage and greater competitiveness.
  2. Amee LaTour, "Email correspondence with Nathan Gonzalez," April 19, 2018
  3. Amee LaTour, "Email correspondence with Kyle Kondik," April 19, 2018
  4. Amee LaTour, "Email correspondence with Charlie Cook," April 22, 2018
  5. CBS News, "Sheila Jackson Lee, longtime Texas congresswoman, dies at 74," July 20, 2024


Senators
Representatives
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District 3
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District 5
District 6
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District 8
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Al Green (D)
District 10
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District 18
Vacant
District 19
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Chip Roy (R)
District 22
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Republican Party (27)
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