Voters on Saturday will select one of two Democrats in a runoff election to fill a vacant US House seat, further narrowing Speaker Mike Johnson’s already razor-thin Republican majority. Texas’ 18th Congressional District has been empty since March following former Rep. Sylvester Turner’s death — and 13 of the last 18 months in total. Redistricting has also jumbled Saturday’s runoff election, which will happen under old district lines, in the minds of voters. The 18th District was made even more Democratic and absorbed much of the current 9th District, which became Republican-leaning. A primary election for a full two-year term starting in 2027, under new district lines, is slated for March 3.

Source: CNN January 31, 2026 11:01 UTC