Houston's Congressional Races: See Who's On Your Ballot

HOUSTON — The results of a rush of early voters driven to the polls by a contentious senate race, a controversial proposition or other local issue won’t be seen for several hours, and those who have not voted yet, may still need to know what’s on the ballot.

Although most of the races have been quiet, and some will likely go along party lines, there are a number of races that are worth watching.

Here are the congressional races in the Houston area.

In the District 2 race, Republican Dan Crenshaw and Democrat Todd Litton both hope to take the place of the retiring Ted Poe. The campaign has been relatively silent, until two weeks ago, when Litton began running paid ads. Last weekend, Crenshaw was the subject of a mocking SNL roast, and drew criticism from Republicans demanding an apology from the late night program. The district, which includes areas of Spring, spanning north into Humble and southeastern Montgomery County, is considered a heavily Republican district.

One of the most contentious local races was the District 7 Congressional race between Republican Congressman John Culberson and Democratic challenger Lizzie Fletcher.

During the campaign, Culberson gained the endorsement of a number of local leaders, including business leader Jim “Mattress Mac” McIngvale. Fletcher, who bested a crowded Democratic field in the March Primary, initially ran on a message of stopping President Donald Trump’s agenda. She softened her message, and zeroed in on Culberson’s record during the last 90 days of the campaign.

In District 8, Republican Congressman Kevin Brady is challenged by Tomball Democrat Steven David, a City of Houston employee, and Libertarian Chris Duncan, an attorney from Montgomery. Brady, who championed tax reform ahead of Trump’s inauguration, chairs the House Ways and Means committee.

In the District 9 race, Democratic Congressman Al Green is running against Independent candidates Kesha Rogers and Benjamin Hernandez, and Libertarian Phil Kurtz. Green, who represents a heavily Democratic district that stretches through south Harris County and into Fort Bend County, lobbied for Trump’s impeachment at the height of the Russian Collusion investigation. He received several death threats after his announcement, and he has since scaled back his anti-Trump rhetoric.

In District 10, Republican Incumbent Michael McCaul faces a challenge from Democrat Mike Siegel and Libertarian Mike Ryan. McCaul, who chairs the Homeland Security Committee and is on the Foreign Relations Committee

Sheila Jackson Lee, the longtime Democrat in District 18, is challenged by Republican Ava Pate, Libertarian Luke Spencer, and Independent Vince Duncan. Lee has served in the House of Representatives for District 18 since 1994.

In District 22, Republican Congressman Pete Olson, who has served in the House since 2009, faces a stiff challenge from Democrat Sri Preston Kulkarni, as well as Libertarian John McElligott and Independent Sara Kellen Sweny. The race has been highly competitive in recent weeks in the Fort Bend County District, and this race, though in a traditionally Republican district, could go either way.

(For more news and information like this, subscribe to Patch for free. If you have an iPhone, click here to get the free Patch iPhone app; download the free Patch Android app here.)

Image: Shutterstock

Send your news tips and story ideas to bryan.kirk@patch.com