A large swath of Tarrant County will decide its next Texas senator in a Jan. 31 runoff, after a tight three-person special election that saw the lone Democrat take an unexpected lead.

Gov. Greg Abbott has set Jan. 31 as the date of the special election runoff for Texas’ 18th Congressional District, meaning the Houston-based seat will remain vacant for over two more months.

AUSTIN (Nexstar) — Texas Gov. Greg Abbott announced Jan. 31 as Election Day in two special election runoffs. Congressional District 18, a deep-blue area that includes parts of inner-city Houston, hasn’t had a representative in Washington since March, after U.S. Representative and former Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner died.

Acting Harris County Attorney Christian Menefee and former Houston City Council member Amanda Edwards are competing for the congressional seat, which has been vacant since the March death of U.S. Rep.

Voters head to the polls on Nov. 4 in a special election for U.S. House District 18, a Houston City Council race, 17 Texas amendments, and more.

Texas Governor Greg Abbott announced Monday that the runoff election for the unexpired term in Texas’ 18th Congressional District – vacated by the late Congressman Sylvester Turner – will be held on Saturday, January 31, 2026.

Mark your calendar for Texas' special election. The race is on for vacant Texas Senate and U.S. House roles, discover the candidates.

The special election in a historically Black district features a new generation of rising Texas Democrats, including the Harris County attorney, Christian Menefee; State Representative Jolanda Jones; and a former Houston City Council member, Amanda Edwards. With a crowded field, a runoff is likely.

Christian Menefee, the county attorney of Harris County, and attorney Amanda Edwards advanced to the runoff, NBC News projects.