Campaign Website
www.carmen4congress.com
Education
East Tennessee State University
Experience
Carmen María Montiel is an experienced broadcaster, nonprofit advocate, and licensed Realtor with a B.A. in Broadcasting and Spanish from East Tennessee State University.
Community Involvement/Service
Carmen has dedicated years to serving Houston through nonprofit work, advocacy, and local initiatives, always focused on empowering families and preserving community values.
race
Hispanic/Latina
Occupation
Realtor
My training in broadcasting, experience as a Realtor and nonprofit advocate, and my journey as an immigrant from Venezuela give me strong communication, leadership, and problem-solving skills. I understand the dangers of socialism and the importance of faith, family, and freedom, values I’ll fight to protect in Congress.
The two most important issues facing District 18 are public safety and flooding/infrastructure. Families in Houston deserve safe neighborhoods, yet crime continues to rise. I will support our law enforcement officers, oppose soft-on-crime policies, and work to strengthen community safety programs that protect families and businesses.
Flooding remains a constant threat, even though billions have been allocated to address it. I will demand transparency to track where those funds went, fight to ensure future resources are used effectively, and push for long-term infrastructure solutions so our families aren’t devastated every time a storm hits.
I plan to improve quality of life by tackling crime, demanding accountability for flooding funds, supporting small businesses, and empowering parents in education. By focusing on safety, opportunity, and transparency, we can build stronger families, thriving communities, and a brighter future for District 18. I will take advantage of Opportunity Zones to attract investors, create jobs, expand housing, and generate investment in better education for our community.
Campaign Website
www.christianmenefee.com
Education
University of Texas at San Antonio, Washington University Law School
Experience
Harris County Attorney, January 2021 through present
race
Congressional District 18
I’m Christian Menefee, son of two veterans, born and raised in Houston’s 18th District. I know firsthand the power of government to change lives—my family relied on WIC, free lunch, VA housing assistance, and Pell Grants to get by. As Harris County Attorney, I became the youngest and first Black person elected to the role, leading a 300-person office and delivering real results. I’ve taken on Trump and Abbott to protect voting rights, public health, and workers—and won. I’ve raised wages, expanded worker protections, and launched apprenticeship programs. I’ll bring that same fight to Congress.
Our democracy is under assault and basic cost of living is crushing families. Greg Abbott left our seat vacant for months while gerrymandering rigs elections so politicians choose voters instead of the reverse. I'll champion the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act and push for nonpartisan redistricting commissions. Meanwhile, working families can't afford rent, childcare, or groceries. I'll restore the expanded Child Tax Credit putting money directly in parents' pockets, boost childcare subsidies through the Child Care Development Block Grant, and expand Housing Choice Vouchers so families aren't spending half their income on rent. These aren't separate fights—when democracy works, we get leaders who actually address rising costs.
Quality of life starts with basic health and safety. I'll tackle environmental justice head-on—communities like Fifth Ward have been poisoned by polluters for decades, causing cancer clusters and sky-high asthma rates. I'll push for federal cleanup funds, tougher EPA enforcement, and hold corporations accountable for dumping toxins in our neighborhoods. Beyond environmental justice, I'll work to expand access to healthcare coverage, create meaningful pathways to homeownership, and ensure every child has an opportunity for a strong education. Good jobs matter too—I'll champion apprenticeship programs and living wages so families can thrive, not just survive.
Campaign Website
www.edwardsforhouston.com/
Education
Eisenhower High School, Bachelors from Emory University, JD from Harvard Law School
Experience
Former Houston City Councilmember At-Large; Non-profit Leader; Public Finance Attorney
race
US Representative Texas 18th Congressional District
Occupation
Attorney
As an attorney and former At-Large Houston City Council Member, I bring the experience, skills and vision necessary to address our community’s challenges and execute a bold vision where everyone can thrive. This moment requires an innovator who can fix broken systems. By witnessing my father’s battle with cancer I know first hand that health care is a matter of life or death. I worked in the 18th Congressional District D.C. office years ago. I have served as a public finance attorney bringing public funding to public projects. In addition, my City Council leadership with tech & innovation, transportation, small businesses and Harvey recovery and infrastructure enables me to address gaps in federal policies impacting our community.
The 18th Congressional District deserves quality health care and an economy where we all can thrive. I will work to expand healthcare access by improving access to the ACA, preserve benefits like Medicare and Social Security that seniors rely upon, expand HIPAA so medical decisions about women’s reproductive health truly stay private, and reduce prescription drug costs. I also will work to: expand economic opportunity for job-seekers in an evolving economy, including expanding access to capital and resources for small businesses, strengthen the right to unionize and collectively bargain, and secure a true living wage for our workers.
I’ll fight to ensure every family has access to affordable healthcare by expanding access to the ACA, lowering prescription drug costs, and protecting Medicare and Social Security. By way of securing more infrastructure investment and overhauling disaster recovery funding, I’ll also ensure that our residents will be safe from flooding and can fully recover when disaster strikes. Finally, by way of making CDBG funding available for housing and the creation of a Housing Solutions Center, we can ensure that access to affordable, safe housing is secured. Quality of life improves when our communities are safe, resilient, and healthy.
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Campaign Website
www.foremanforcongress.org
Education
EMPA Texas Southern University, BA Texas Southern University
Experience
Texas Public Policy Foundation - Development Officer and Intern (Research and Communication) ; National Job Corps Associatrion Executive Board Member ; Preacher and Teacher.
Community Involvement/Service
I am a Teacher at Aldine ISD and Houston ISD and a Preacher at The Church of the Lord Jesus Christ.
race
TX 18th Congressional District
Occupation
Preacher & Teacher
I earned two degrees from Texas Southern University: one in Journalism and Mass Communication and the other in Public Administration. I studied city and state finance and how government decisions impact people’s lives. My experience at the Texas Public Policy Foundation trained me as a communicator and advocate for parent empowerment and education innovation. I am also a lifetime member of the NAACP and work with leadership at the Houston chapter to advance meaningful change. These experiences give me the training, perspective, and community support needed to represent the 18th
The two most urgent issues for the 18th District are building the infrastructure to lead the future and reducing the educational burden on our workforce. I view infrastructure as an opportunity for public and private partnerships that invest in the success of our communities. Through my work with the National Job Corps Association, I will strengthen workforce readiness and prepare our people for tomorrow’s challenges. I have seen how the best innovators in our nation respond to disasters, and I will bring those solutions to Houston’s climate challenges, especially flooding that harms families across the 18th District.
Improving quality of life begins with safety, education, and opportunity. Crime is too often addressed as a response instead of being prevented through early intervention. By building an empowered and prepared workforce, we create safer neighborhoods and stronger communities. I will use economic innovation to confront disadvantage and expand opportunity through public-private partnerships. My vision is to support all people who participate in our economy and uplift a greater Houston, a stronger Texas, and a brighter 18th Congressional District.
Campaign Website
https://stephenhueyforcongress.com
Education
Bachelor's, Rice University
Experience
Over 20 years of creating innovative technology solutions in finance, energy and healthcare corporations and startups. I have also started multiple technology companies.
Community Involvement/Service
Middle school mentor, high school Junior Achievement teacher, and volunteer in my church.
race
Stephen Huey For Congress
Occupation
Business Owner, Technology Consulting
I grew up in Texas and Nigeria before attending Rice University, and then spent decades solving problems in finance, energy & healthcare. Many elected officials rely on a think tank for guidance on policy (or listen to lobbyists), but I have extensive understanding of many major industries because the technology solutions I built for decades required me to dive deep into each one. I have joined or co-founded several innovative startups, and due to my entrepreneurial experience, I was recruited to Anadarko’s innovation group to manage a group of teams building next-generation solutions dreamed up by their top scientists and engineers. I am not a career politician and will work with anyone necessary to deliver real results for the district.
Costs of living are high, and chaotic decisions are making it worse. American textbooks teach how tariffs are a blunt tool that fails. We need sensible strategies to lower costs. Even worse, the middle class today has fewer resources than it did decades ago, and this is due to misguided economic policies that have benefited the wealthy but no one else. I will work to correct those. Another huge problem for the 18th district consists of the cruel and erratic cuts to healthcare, food assistance and emergency funding, and I’ll push to restore those. If the current administration really wants to save money, it should preserve humanitarian aid and instead go after corrupt handouts to big business in federal contracts, but it wants to keep those.
I met with the American Small Business League and discussed our common goals. DontCheatWomen.com is one of their projects. 98% of American businesses are small businesses but due to corruption, much federal assistance intended for small business is going to big businesses instead, so I will fight that and increase investment in small businesses which will result in greater prosperity for my district. Recent jobs reports have been terrible. Even the most successful Houston energy companies are laying off thousands of workers. Companies cannot hire if their costs are going up and their profits are going down, and I will work to reverse erroneous economic policies. I’ll also alleviate hiring risk by funding training for 21st century skills.
Campaign Website
www.isaiahmartin.org
Education
Bachelor Degree - University of Houston
Experience
Senior Advisor for Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee
Community Involvement/Service
I founded and served as President of #ForTheStudents, a student-led initiative focused on making higher education more accessible, affordable, and accountable. Through that wo
race
Black
Occupation
Aerospace Consultant
I am qualified to serve because my life’s work has been preparing me for this moment. I have taken on powerful interests and delivered real results for the people of Texas. I spent four years working alongside Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee. I started at the very bottom carrying her purse and grew into serving as her senior advisor. I saw firsthand how Washington works and how deals actually get done. I know what it takes to move legislation, to work committees, to navigate the process, and to bring results home. I will continue the legacy of service Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee began, but I will meet the new challenges of our time with fresh energy and relentless urgency. My qualifications are not only in my résumé but in my record.
Grocery prices are out of control. I will put up a bill to get rid of Trump’s tariffs, which act like a hidden tax on working families. Axing the Trump tax will bring real relief at the checkout line. And beyond that, I will stay focused on guaranteeing healthcare and childcare, because too many of our families are paying way too much to survive. We have a predator in the White House who is coming for our communities. Right now, the Democratic Party has not risen to the threat Donald Trump poses to our communities. I will bring a spine to Washington and crush Trump.
We need to make America more affordable because the Trump Tax is crushing families and our elders are at risk with these ridiculous cuts to Social Security and Medicare.
Campaign Website
www.JolandaJones.com
Education
University of Houston, graduated Magna Cum Laude; University of Houston Law Center, Juris Doctorate
Experience
State Representative for House District 147; former Houston City Council Member At-Large; former HISD Board Trustee; nationally recognized attorney; civil rights activist
Community Involvement/Service
Was the face of the quorum break to stop Donald Trump and Greg Abbott from rigging the next election to steal five Congressional seats. Unapologetically unafraid.
race
Jolanda Jones Campaign
Occupation
State Representative; Attorney
I am completing my second full term in the Texas House of Representatives – and there is no better training for Congress. I am the only candidate in the race who has moved legislation from the start, gotten it passed in both houses, and signed into law. I am also a former At-Large Houston City Councilmember and former Houston Independent School District Board Trustee. I recently helped energize Democrats across the country in the fight to stop Donald Trump and Greg Abbott from stealing five Congressional seats in a racist gerrymandering scheme. I have shown time and time again that no one will fight harder to stop Republicans from taking away our social security, our public schools, our health care, our constitutional rights, and more.
I'll fight to stop Trump cuts to healthcare and Medicaid, Social Security, education, and veterans – and to stop a federal ban on abortion and restore abortion rights to make sure women, not politicians, make their own healthcare decisions. I'll fight to lower the cost of prescription drugs, expand coverage for mental health care and substance abuse – and make healthcare more affordable and accessible. And I'll fight to keep federal dollars flowing for health care, flood mitigation, racial and environmental justice, and more. During my service in the Texas legislature, I have passed bills and proven that I will collaborate when I can and fight when I have to. The biggest threat to the 18th is Trump – and I am best prepared to take him on.
I will always use my voice and my vote in Congress to make life better for my constituents. I never hesitate to speak out against injustice and in favor of the needs of our community—voting rights, health care, mental health care, housing, jobs, education, criminal justice reform—you name it. I will continue to take our fight to the Republicans – I have never been afraid of anyone. I will continue the tradition of CD18 representatives being in the community every moment when not in session in DC. As I have done throughout my career, I will provide strong constituent services, fight for resources to help my constituents, always fight for those who are unable or disadvantaged in fighting for themselves.
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Campaign Website
valencia4congress.com
Education
Certification in medical coding & billing from Houston Community College in 2002. 10 City of Houston Certifications in HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis, Malaria and STI's.
Experience
I served as a chair of Harris County Precinct 490 from 2008 to 2012 and as a Presiding Election Judge of Harris County Precinct 490, 773 and Houston's Galleria area in 2013.
Community Involvement/Service
In 2007, I left the law Office of Porto, Trueheart & McStay, to begin my charity, Halloe & Associates Inc, a non-profit, 501 C 3. In 2011, I began my charity in Ghana W Africa
race
Black
Occupation
Philanthropist
My career experience includes working as a philanthropist and small business owner. I earned a certification in medical coding & billing from Houston Community College in 2002. I served as a chair of Harris County Precinct 490 from 2008 to 2012 and as a presiding election judge of Harris County Precinct 433 in 2011 and Harris County Precinct 773 and 490 in 2013. In 2013, I authored a Bipartisan International Preventing Under-Aged Child Marriage Act, Senator Mary Landrieu of Louisiana agreed to adopt & cosponsor my Act. Through my philanthropic efforts with my charitable organization Halloe & Associates Inc, I have been providing critical relief to numerous residents across the Houston Metropolitan area since 2007.
I believe income equality and sanitation is frequently disregarded. This is the primary issue I will focus on during my first 100 days in office. In 2017,I presented a proposal to several local Houston politicians, recommending a minimum wage increase to $17.00 an hour, not for comfortable living, but for dignified existence.
I must work with people across the political spectrum whilst staying true to the values of the district, this requires a mindset focused on building relationships & understanding motivations, rather than prioritizing winning an argument. In order to accomplish this, a foundation of respect must be built, acknowledgment of valid points even if I do not agree with their overall conclusion, I will focus on policy not party labels because discussions become less emotional& productive when they center on specific policy gals rather than attacking party platforms or identities, appealing to shared values is one of the underlying universal held values such as economic fairness, this requires me to lead with listening.
Campaign Website
www.vinceforus.com
Community Involvement/Service
President of The Groveland Terrace Civic Club
Occupation
Builder
Home Builder
Economic Development/ Safer Cleaner Communities
Teaching the residents of CD 18 how the U.S Government Works.
