HOUSTON — Christian Menefee was sworn in to Congress on Monday after winning a special election runoff to fill the seat left vacant by the death of Congressman Sylvester Turner last year.
Menefee, the former Harris County attorney, flew to Washington, D.C., on an 8 a.m. flight for the swearing-in ceremony, which was scheduled to take place at approximately 5:30 p.m. Central time on the House floor.
He defeated former Houston city councilwoman Amanda Edwards in the runoff to serve the remainder of Turner’s term, which runs through the end of the year.
Early voting for the primary election begins Feb. 17. Menefee is set to face Edwards again, along with Gretchen Brown and longtime Congressman Al Green. Redistricting placed much of the 18th District into Green’s District 9. The contest is on the Democratic side in a historically Democratic district.
Menefee will divide his time between Washington for congressional votes and Houston for campaign activities as the primary approaches.
During the swearing-in ceremony, Menefee used a childhood Bible that his mother gave him.
