Trump critic Al Green loses Texas runoff to Democrat Christian Menefee after redistricting shakeup

WASHINGTON, DC: Rep Al Green, one of President Donald Trump’s most outspoken critics in Congress, lost his Democratic primary runoff on Tuesday, May 26, to fellow Texas Democrat Rep Christian Menefee in a closely watched Houston-area contest reshaped by redistricting.

The race forced two sitting House Democrats into the same district after Republicans redrew congressional maps in Texas ahead of the midterm elections. Menefee, a freshman congressman and former Harris County attorney, is now heavily favored to win the general election in the solidly Democratic 18th Congressional District. 

Al Green defeated after redistricting forces incumbent showdown

Green, 78, has represented Texas’ 9th Congressional District since 2005 and became nationally known for repeatedly pursuing impeachment efforts against Trump during both of the president’s terms. He was also removed from congressional chambers multiple times after interrupting Trump’s State of the Union addresses in protest.

After Texas Republicans approved new congressional maps last year, Green’s district became significantly more favorable to Republicans, prompting him to run instead in the neighboring 18th Congressional District. That decision placed him against Menefee, 38, who had only recently entered Congress after winning a January special election to replace the late Rep Sylvester Turner.

Neither candidate secured more than 50% of the votes during the March primary, triggering a runoff under Texas law. Menefee received 46% in the initial primary compared to Green’s 44.2%.

The race increasingly became framed as a generational contest within the Democratic Party. Menefee campaigned as a younger Democratic voice focused on challenging the Trump administration through legal action and local governance experience. Green, meanwhile, defended his decades-long congressional record and rejected criticism centered on his age.

Menefee also benefited from substantial outside support during the campaign. A super PAC aligned with cryptocurrency industry leaders reportedly spent more than $5 million backing his candidacy, while Green publicly criticized the heavy outside spending against him.

Race underscores Democratic tensions over age, money, and party direction

The runoff became one of the clearest political consequences of Texas’ GOP-led redistricting effort, which Republicans said was aimed at strengthening their position ahead of future elections. The redraw also intensified national debates over mid-decade redistricting after Democrats in states like California explored possible countermeasures.

The Houston-based 18th District has also experienced years of political upheaval. The deaths of longtime Democratic lawmakers Sheila Jackson Lee and Sylvester Turner resulted in multiple elections over a short period, leaving the district without stable representation for much of the past year. Menefee officially joined Congress in February this year following his special election victory.

Both Green and Menefee made opposition to Trump central to their campaigns. Menefee pointed to lawsuits filed against the Trump administration during his tenure as Harris County attorney, while Green highlighted his years of confrontation with the president in Congress.

“Tonight belongs to the people of this district,” Menefee said in a statement Tuesday night. “You have shown up over and over, and every single time, you have chosen to fight for a better future for our communities,” Menefee said in a statement Tuesday night.