Rep. Al Green, D-Texas, a longtime Democrat who has repeatedly attempted to impeach President Trump and been removed from two consecutive State of the Union addresses, advances to a runoff election in Texas's 18th Congressional District after his primary did not yield a majority.
The race was triggered by redistricting that pitted Green against fellow incumbent Christian Menefee, a former Harris County Attorney. Green attributed the closeness of the race to $1.5 million in spending by the crypto industry against his campaign.
'They made it clear that I was a target, and they had a fake poll that showed that they were going to win by some large margin. I think, actually, they called a victory party last night assuming that it was over,' Green said the day after his primary. 'Of course, I and others knew that it would be a runoff.'
What the Left Is Saying
Green doubled down on his anti-Trump activism when asked if his objections to the president could cost him the race. 'If it cost me an election, I would do it,' Green said. 'I just think that this president is a racist. I hope you pick that up. Yeah, he's a racist and we have to challenge him. We shouldn't have a racist in the White House.'
The Texas Democrat also criticized his opponent's congressional attendance record, alleging Menefee missed an entire week of voting in his first month in office and was absent for a classified briefing on Iran. Green touted his own voting record, claiming over 97% participation in 20 years of congressional service.
Green challenged Menefee to an immediate debate ahead of the runoff and called on him to 'come to work,' referencing the alleged voting absences. He has compared himself to civil rights leaders Martin Luther King Jr. and Rosa Parks after being removed from Trump's State of the Union addresses.
What the Right Is Saying
The crypto industry, which spent heavily against Green's campaign, has not issued a public statement about the race. However, Menefee's campaign has focused on his experience as Harris County Attorney and his promise to represent the 18th Congressional District.
Texas's redistricting created the incumbent-versus-incumbent matchup, forcing two Democrats into a primary runoff. The crypto industry's opposition to Green appears tied to his regulatory positions on cryptocurrency.
House Republicans have moved to censure Green for disrupting Trump's address for the second straight year, adding political pressure on the longtime Democrat as he seeks another term.
Green's explicitly political statements about Trump being racist have become a central feature of his campaign, which some Democrats see as risky in a competitive district while others view as principled stands on principle.
What the Numbers Show
The crypto industry spent $1.5 million against Green's campaign, making it a significant financial force in the race.
Green claims a 97% voting record over 20 years in Congress, a figure that would be considered high participation according to congressional tracking metrics.
Menefee was first elected to Congress in 2023, making this his second year in office. His attendance record during his first month is disputed by Green's campaign.
The 18th Congressional District was redrawn in redistricting, combining portions of Houston and surrounding areas that had previously been represented by different members.
The Bottom Line
The Texas primary runoff between Green and Menefee will determine who represents the 18th Congressional District in what is expected to be a competitive general election. Green's anti-Trump positions and vocal criticism of the president have defined his political brand, while the crypto industry's substantial financial involvement signals industry opposition to his candidacy.
The winner of the runoff will face whoever emerges from the Republican side in November. Green's history of high-profile anti-Trump activism, including impeachment efforts and disruptions of official addresses, has made him a target for both political opponents and outside spending groups.
Voters in the district will decide whether Green's decades of service and progressive positions outweigh concerns about his electoral viability in a potentially competitive general election environment.