2026 Harris County Judge election

2026 Harris County Judge election

← 2022 November 3, 2026 2030 →

Party Democratic Republican

Incumbent County judge Lina Hidalgo Democratic

The 2026 Harris County Judge election will be held on November 3, 2026, to elect the county judge of Harris County, Texas. Primary elections will be held on March 3. Incumbent Democratic judge Lina Hidalgo is not running for re-election. ^[1]

Democratic primary

Candidates

Declared

• Annise Parker, former mayor of Houston (2010–2016) ^[2]
• Letitia Plummer, member of the Houston City Council for the at-large district (2020–present) ^[3]
• Matthew Salazar, Owner of Fastest Labs of Tomball ^[4]

Withdrawn

• Erica Lee Carter, former U.S. representative from Texas's 18th district (2024–2025) ^[5]

Declined

• Lina Hidalgo, incumbent judge ^[6]

Endorsements

Annise Parker

Local officials

• Adrian Garcia, member of the Harris County Commissioners Court from the 2nd precinct (2019–present) ^[7]

Labor unions

• UNITE HERE Local 23 ^[8]

Organizations

• LGBTQ Victory Fund ^[9]

Polling

Poll source	Date(s) administered	Sample size [a]	Margin of error	Annise Parker	Letitia Plummer	Erica Lee Carter	Undecided
	September 18, 2025	Carter withdraws from the race
Lake Research Partners (D) [10]	July 31 – August 7, 2025	500 (LV)	± 4.4%	53%	15%	9%	20%

Results

Democratic primary

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	Annise Parker
	Democratic	Letitia Plummer
	Democratic	Matthew Salazar
Total votes				100.00

Republican primary

Candidates

Declared

• Aliza Dutt, mayor of Piney Point Village (2024–present) ^[11]
• Oscar Gonzales, former sheriff's deputy ^[12]
• Warren Howell, insurance businessman ^[13]
• Marty Lancton, Houston Professional Fire Fighters Association president ^[14]
• Orlando Sanchez, former county treasurer (2007–2018) ^[15]
• George Zoes, business owner and candidate in 2022 ^[4]

Endorsements

Marty Lancton

Statewide officials

• Dawn Buckingham, land commissioner of Texas (2023–present) ^[16]

Individuals

• Jim McIngvale, businessman ^[16]

Results

Republican primary

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	Aliza Dutt
	Republican	Oscar Gonzales
	Republican	Warren Howell
	Republican	Marty Lancton
	Republican	Orlando Sanchez
	Republican	George Zoes
Total votes				100.00

Notes

1. Key:
   A – all adults
   RV – registered voters
   LV – likely voters
   V – unclear

References

1. Lomax V, John (September 15, 2025). "Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo says she will not seek reelection to her position in 2026". Houston Chronicle . Retrieved October 16, 2025.
2. Kumar, Atirikta (June 11, 2025). "Former Houston Mayor Annise Parker announces run for Lina Hidalgo's seat atop Harris County government". The Texas Tribune . Retrieved October 16, 2025.
3. Grunau, Sarah (July 8, 2025). "Houston City Council member Letitia Plummer announces run for Harris County Judge". Houston Public Media . Retrieved October 16, 2025.
4. Lomax V, John (December 9, 2025). "Who is running for Harris County judge in 2026? A look at the nine candidates on the campaign trail". Houston Chronicle. Retrieved December 9, 2025.
5. Soebroto, Ashley (September 18, 2025). "Former Congresswoman Erica Lee Carter withdraws bid for Harris County judge". Houston Chronicle . Retrieved October 16, 2025.
6. Serrano, Alejandro (September 16, 2025). "Lina Hidalgo, Harris County chief executive, won't seek reelection". The Texas Tribune . Retrieved October 16, 2025.
7. "Commissioner Adrian Garcia endorses Annise Parker for Harris County judge". Houston Chronicle. Retrieved November 16, 2025.
8. "Local 23 is proud to announce our endorsement of Annise Parker for Harris County Judge". Facebook. UNITE HERE Local 23. Retrieved October 16, 2025.
9. LeDonne, Sarah. "LGBTQ+ Victory Fund Endorses 13 Candidates in 2025 & 2026 Races". LGBTQ+ Victory Fund. Retrieved November 16, 2025.
10. "Polling (July to August)" (PDF). Lake Research Partners. Retrieved October 16, 2025.
11. Lomax V, John (May 21, 2025). "Piney Point Village mayor announces intent to run for Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo's seat". Houston Chronicle . Retrieved October 16, 2025.
12. Garza, Julissa (September 16, 2025). "Harris County politics heating up with Hidalgo's decision and more on the ballot". KHOU . Retrieved October 16, 2025.
13. Taylor, Brittany (July 10, 2025). "LIST: Who is running for Harris County Judge in 2026?". KPRC-TV . Retrieved October 16, 2025.
14. Grunau, Sarah (August 20, 2025). "Firefighters union leader Marty Lancton running for Harris County Judge, backed by notable GOP figures". Houston Public Media . Retrieved October 16, 2025.
15. Adkison, Michael (September 23, 2025). "Republican Orlando Sanchez, former county treasurer and city council member, running for Harris County judge". Houston Public Media . Retrieved October 16, 2025.
16. Grunau, Sarah (August 20, 2025). "Firefighters union leader Marty Lancton running for Harris County Judge, backed by notable GOP figures". Houston Public Media . Retrieved October 16, 2025.

External links

Official campaign websites

• Aliza Dutt (R) for County Judge
• Oscar Gonzales (R) for County Judge
• Warren Howell (R) for County Judge
• Marty Lancton (R) for County Judge
• Annise Parker (D) for County Judge
• Letitia Plummer (D) for County Judge
• Orlando Sanchez (R) for County Judge