Population (2015) 764,622 Cook PVI D+24 (2014) | Median income 37,079 | |
 | ||
Current Representative Sheila Jackson Lee (D–Houston) Ethnicity 7.2% White
36.4% Black
3.9% Asian
42.7% Hispanic
0.36% Native American
9.4% other | ||
Texas District 18 of the United States House of Representatives is a Congressional district that serves much of inner city Houston and the surrounding area. It has been the Downtown Houston district since 1973. The current Representative from District 18 is Sheila Jackson Lee.
It was held by Barbara Charline Jordan, the first black woman elected to Congress from the South (in 1972), who was praised by many for her powerful presence in that body, and in particular, for her oratorical skills.
Since the district was moved to Houston in 1972, it has voted for a Democrat in every presidential election. The district gave George McGovern 69% in 1972 and Walter Mondale 72% in 1984.
In popular culture
In the TV series The West Wing, Texas's 18th congressional district was represented by (the successful) fictional Democratic presidential candidate Matt Santos.