The district has been a Democratic stronghold, held for decades by Sheila Jackson Lee and most recently by former Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner, who died March 5.

Menefee formally resigned as Harris County Attorney on March 17 with the announcement of his campaign to run for the now-vacant U.S. Congress District 18 position.

Menefee said, under the Texas Constitution, he will continue to serve as acting county attorney until Harris County Commissioners Court votes on his successor.