If you thought the confetti was barely swept up from New Year’s celebrations before Houston hit pause, think again. While many residents welcomed January with black-eyed peas, vision boards, and promises to hit the gym, Houston-area voters stepped into 2026 facing something equally demanding—and far more consequential: an unprecedented stretch of elections that will shape local, state, and national leadership for years to come.

Let us break it down for you, Houston Style Magazine–style—clear, civic-minded, and empowering.

January 31: A Runoff with National Stakes

The election calendar kicks off immediately with a high-profile runoff on January 31, 2026, to fill the remainder of the late Congressman Sylvester Turner’s term. Voters will choose between former Houston City Council Member Amanda Edwards and newly re-elected Harris County Attorney Christian Menefee.

This special election is more than procedural—it’s about continuity, representation, and momentum. The winner will serve as an interim U.S. Representative through January 2027, holding the seat until the next general election in November 2026. In a district with deep historical roots and evolving boundaries, this vote matters.

February 17–March 3: Primary Season Takes Over

Just weeks later, February 17, 2026, marks the start of Early Voting for the Super Tuesday primaries on March 3, 2026, and Houston voters will see crowded ballots at nearly every level.

At the center is the race for the Democratic nomination in the newly drawn Texas Congressional District 18, a district reshaped geographically and politically. The field includes Edwards and Menefee once again, joined by longtime Congressman Al Green and Gretchen Brown. The new district now stretches south and west—from Sunnyside through Meyerland, Stafford, and Missouri City—bringing new communities and priorities into focus.

U.S. Senate, Statewide Power, and Crowded Ballots

The same February 17, 2026, Early Voting period also launches one of the most closely watched races in Texas: the U.S. Senate primary. Voters will weigh a packed Republican contest featuring incumbent John Cornyn, Attorney General Ken Paxton, and Houston Congressman Wesley Hunt.

On the Democratic side, attention centers on U.S. Rep. Jasmine Crockett and State Rep. James Talarico, setting up what could be a defining matchup for Texas’ political future.

Add to that open races for Attorney General, State Comptroller, and competitive county contests—including Harris County and Fort Bend County Judge—and you have ballots packed with choices that demand voter focus and follow-through.

March 25–April 4: City Hall Meets the Courthouse

Democracy doesn’t slow down after Super Tuesday. On March 25, 2026, Early Voting begins for the April 4, 2026, special election to replace former Houston City Council Member Abbie Kamin.

Kamin is seeking to succeed Menefee as Harris County Attorney, potentially becoming the county’s first Jewish and first woman to hold the post. Challenging her is Judge Audrie Lawton Evans, backed by Commissioner Rodney Ellis, with the opportunity to make history as the county’s first African American woman County Attorney.

Late May: The Runoffs Keep Coming

By May 28, 2026, just after Memorial Day, primary runoffs are expected for U.S. Senate, Congress, and key statewide offices—closing out what can only be described as a marathon season of civic engagement.

The Bigger Picture

Yes, it’s a lot. But it’s also something powerful.

This spring represents renewal—not just of leadership, but of participation. Houston’s strength has always come from its people showing up, staying informed, and refusing to sit on the sidelines. Every election, every runoff, every early-voting day is an invitation to shape the city and state we pass on to the next generation.

Houston Style Magazine will be right here — breaking it down, keeping it clear, and reminding you why your voice still matters.

Because democracy doesn’t run on autopilot.
It runs on you.