Congressman Al Green, a longtime Texas Democrat and outspoken critic of President Trump, lost his Houston-area congressional seat after nearly four decades in public office. Voters chose Christian Menefee in a closely watched Democratic runoff.
Green, 78, was defeated by 38-year-old Menefee in the Houston-based district after the Associated Press projected the result on Tuesday. The outcome ends Green’s 11-term career in Congress.
According to the Daily Mail, the race went to a runoff after neither candidate won a majority in the March 3 Democratic primary. Menefee led that vote with 46 percent, while Green followed closely with 44 percent.
Texas redistricting played a major role in shaping the contest. New maps forced several Democrats into same-party matchups, with analysts already expecting the party to lose multiple seats in the midterms.
Campaign spending also drew attention. The Fairshake crypto-backed super PAC spent about $6.5 million across both rounds, backing Menefee or running opposition to Green, according to reports.
Green built a national reputation as one of Trump’s strongest critics in Congress. He filed several impeachment efforts starting in 2017 and continued similar actions in later years.
His protests on the House floor also made headlines. He was censured after interrupting major presidential addresses, including holding signs and openly challenging policy positions during speeches.
Menefee, who previously served as Harris County attorney, entered Congress after winning the runoff earlier this year. He now takes over the Houston district seat.
Green first won election to Congress in 2004 and often secured comfortable re-election victories. His defeat marks the end of a long House career defined by frequent political battles and national attention.
SOURCE: blacknews.com