Texas's 18th congressional district of the United States House of Representatives includes much of inner city Houston and the surrounding area. It has been the Downtown Houston district since 1972.
Texas's 18th congressional district Texas's 18th congressional district since January 3, 2023
Representative Vacant
Distribution 99.94% urban[ 1] 0.06% rural Population (2023) 788,066[ 2] Median household income $59,212[ 3] Ethnicity Cook PVI D+23[ 4]
The district was first represented by Barbara Jordan , the first black woman elected to Congress from the South, who was praised by many for her powerful presence and oratorical skills. She was also the first lesbian to serve that district.[ 5] [clarification needed ] The district was represented by Sheila Jackson Lee from 1995 until her death in 2024, when the seat became vacant.
Since the district was moved to Houston in 1972, it has voted for a Democrat in every presidential election. The district gave George McGovern 69% in 1972 and Walter Mondale 72% in 1984.
Election results from presidential races
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List of members representing the district
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Member
Party
Years
Cong ress
Electoral history
District established March 4, 1919
J. Marvin Jones (Amarillo )
Democratic
March 4, 1919 – November 20, 1940
66th 67th 68th 69th 70th 71st 72nd 73rd 74th 75th 76th
Redistricted from the 13th district and re-elected in 1918 .Re-elected in 1920 .Re-elected in 1922 .Re-elected in 1924 .Re-elected in 1926 .Re-elected in 1928 .Re-elected in 1930 .Re-elected in 1932 .Re-elected in 1934 .Re-elected in 1936 .Re-elected in 1938 . Resigned to become judge of the U.S. Court of Claims .
Vacant
November 20, 1940 – January 3, 1941
76th
Eugene Worley (Shamrock )
Democratic
January 3, 1941 – April 3, 1950
77th 78th 79th 80th 81st
Elected in 1940 .Re-elected in 1942 .Re-elected in 1944 .Re-elected in 1946 .Re-elected in 1948 . Resigned to become judge of the U.S. Court of Customs and Patent Appeals
Vacant
April 3, 1950 – May 6, 1950
81st
Ben H. Guill (Pampa )
Republican
May 6, 1950 – January 3, 1951
Elected to finish Worley's term . Lost re-election.
Walter E. Rogers (Pampa )
Democratic
January 3, 1951 – January 3, 1967
82nd 83rd 84th 85th 86th 87th 88th 89th
Elected in 1950 .Re-elected in 1952 .Re-elected in 1954 .Re-elected in 1956 .Re-elected in 1958 .Re-elected in 1960 .Re-elected in 1962 .Re-elected in 1964 . Retired.
Bob Price (Pampa )
Republican
January 3, 1967 – January 3, 1973
90th 91st 92nd
Elected in 1966 .Re-elected in 1968 .Re-elected in 1970 . Redistricted to the 13th district .
Barbara Jordan (Houston )
Democratic
January 3, 1973 – January 3, 1979
93rd 94th 95th
Elected in 1972 .Re-elected in 1974 .Re-elected in 1976 . Retired.
Mickey Leland (Houston )
Democratic
January 3, 1979 – August 7, 1989
96th 97th 98th 99th 100th 101st
Re-elected in 1978 .Re-elected in 1980 .Re-elected in 1982 .Re-elected in 1984 .Re-elected in 1986 .Re-elected in 1988 . Died.
Vacant
August 7, 1989 – December 9, 1989
101st
Craig Washington (Houston )
Democratic
December 9, 1989 – January 3, 1995
101st 102nd 103rd
Elected to finish Leland's term .Re-elected in 1990 .Re-elected in 1992 . Lost renomination.
Sheila Jackson Lee (Houston )
Democratic
January 3, 1995 – July 19, 2024
104th 105th 106th 107th 108th 109th 110th 111th 112th 113th 114th 115th 116th 117th 118th
Elected in 1994 .Re-elected in 1996 .Re-elected in 1998 .Re-elected in 2000 .Re-elected in 2002 .Re-elected in 2004 .Re-elected in 2006 .Re-elected in 2008 .Re-elected in 2010 .Re-elected in 2012 .Re-elected in 2014 .Re-elected in 2016 .Re-elected in 2018 .Re-elected in 2020 .Re-elected in 2022 . Died.
Vacant
July 19, 2024 – present
118th
Recent election results
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In the TV series The West Wing , Texas's 18th congressional district was represented by fictional Democratic presidential candidate Matt Santos .
Historical district boundaries
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2007–2013
2013–2023