HOUSTON – U.S. Rep. Al Green, D-Houston, says he plans to seek re-election next year but stopped short of confirming which congressional seat he will file for. Still, a flyer shared with KPRC 2 News for a Friday rally has “Vote for Al Green for District 18” and “Green for District 18,” adding to growing expectations that he will run in the newly redrawn 18th Congressional District.
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When asked why now, Green said his focus is on the future not the races happening today.
“They will have voted, they vote today, and the power in hope. For others, for other seats. And so, I’m not engaged in that election that’s taking place now,” Green said.
In a phone interview with KPRC 2 News Rilwan Balogun, Green said he will work with whoever wins the 18th Congressional District, one he expects will head into a runoff.
The longtime congressman, who has represented Texas’ 9th District since 2005, said his decision to run again came easily.
“That didn’t take a lot of thought process because I have work that I’d like to finish,” Green said in a phone interview. “There’s some things that are very important to me that I’ve been working on for a number of years, things related to reconciliation in our country. Those things are still important, and that reconciliation needs to take place. I’m doing what I can to help perfect that.”
The new political maps, drawn by the legislature during this summer’s special session, have significantly shifted congressional boundaries across the Houston area. Under the new lines, most of Green’s longtime constituents in the 9th District now fall into the new 18th District.
Green blames President Donald Trump for influencing the redistricting process.
“While I’m running for this seat, I have to acknowledge that the president sees me as an adversary and I’ll have to respond to his behavior,” Green said. “He has all but eliminated a 9th Congressional District seat as one that would elect a person from my party. I’m that guy that has stood up to him, and the president doesn’t like to be challenged.”
Green noted that voters may be confused by overlapping election timelines. As of November 8, 2025, candidates may officially begin filing for the March 2026 primary election, a separate race from the ongoing special elections taking place in other Texas districts.
“There’s a lot of explaining that has to be done so that people will understand that there are two races,” Green said. “I have stayed completely away from the election that’s taking place today. As suggested, I would simply allow that to develop whoever wins that seat for this unexpired term I’m going to work with. And I assure you that I have great respect for all of the candidates.