Rep. Jolanda Jones Endorses Amanda Edwards in CD-18 Runoff, Calls for Unity

State Rep. Jolanda Jones Endorses Amanda Edwards in Texas' 18th Congressional District Runoff

State Rep. Jolanda Jones has officially endorsed Amanda Edwards in the upcoming runoff election for Texas' 18th Congressional District. This endorsement marks a significant shift as the race moves into its final weeks, with Jones urging her supporters to unite behind Edwards.

The Jan. 31 special election runoff will determine who will fill the unexpired term of longtime U.S. Rep. and former Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner, who passed away earlier this year. The contest is between Edwards, a former Houston city council member, and Harris County Attorney Christian Menefee. The district has been without congressional representation since March.

Jones announced her endorsement on Tuesday, emphasizing that the decision was based on conversations with her supporters and her evaluation of who is best equipped to represent the district during a time of political uncertainty.

Importance of the Election

"A number of my supporters kept saying, 'Who should we vote for?'" Jones said. "Some of them said that if I wasn't in the race, they weren't going to vote. This election is too important to sit on the sidelines."

Edwards welcomed Jones' support, highlighting that it reflects the coalition she is working to build ahead of the low-turnout runoff election. She emphasized the importance of representation in Congress, especially in light of ongoing debates over reproductive rights, maternal health, and economic stability.

She also pointed out that nearly 60% of voters in the November special election were women and referenced the district's history of electing leaders like Barbara Jordan and Sheila Jackson Lee.

Leadership Style and Trust

Jones, who finished third in the November special election with just under 20% of the vote after launching her campaign late, clarified that her endorsement was not based on major policy differences among the candidates. Instead, she focused on leadership style, temperament, and persistence.

"I trust Black women. It's that simple," Jones said, describing the persistent misogyny and colorism Edwards faced during the campaign. "Amanda showed me nothing in this race to make me doubt that she would be the best representative for us."

The endorsement applies only to the Jan. 31 special election runoff, Jones said, and was timed to ensure her supporters had clarity before mail ballots begin arriving. Jones is currently running unopposed in the Democratic primary for House District 147.

Impact of the Endorsement

Renee Cross, a senior director at the University of Houston Hobby School of Public Affairs, noted that Jones' backing could have an impact in a January election when turnout is typically low.

"It's certainly given a burst of adrenaline to the Edwards campaign," Cross said.

Jones has strong support among Black women and older voters, groups that historically turn out at higher rates in off-cycle elections, and her longstanding presence in the district could amplify the endorsement's effect, Cross said. While Menefee has secured backing from U.S. Rep. Jasmine Crockett of Dallas, Cross suggested that Jones' local ties may carry more weight with CD-18 voters.

Menefee's Response

Menefee, however, highlighted his own campaign's momentum. "Voters know my record. I've taken on Donald Trump and Greg Abbott and won," he said. He also pointed to endorsements from the Gulf Coast Area Labor Federation, as well as support from former U.S. Rep. Craig Washington and Rep. James Talarico.

The Jan. 31 runoff will be conducted under the district's old boundaries, even as candidates prepare for a March Democratic primary under new congressional maps reinstated this month by the U.S. Supreme Court.

Early voting for the runoff is scheduled from Jan. 21 to 27.

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