A special election to fill the remainder of the late Rep. Sylvester Turner’s (D-Texas) seat is projected to head into a runoff, according to Decision Desk HQ.
Harris County Attorney Christian Menefee (D) and former Houston City Council member Amanda Edwards (D) advanced after neither candidate won at least half the vote to secure victory outright.
Sixteen candidates ran to fill the remainder of Turner’s term in the House after he died in March.
Though the Houston seat was expected to remain in Democrats’ hands, the runoff will temporarily delay Democrats from being able to add to their caucus in the House. Right now, Republicans have a 219-213 margin as they’ve refused to seat Rep.-elect Adelita Grijalva (D-Ariz.) since her special election win in September.
Democrats’ wins in Arizona and Texas are expected to tighten the GOP majority to a 219-215 split once both Democrats are sworn in.
