Harris and Fort Bend counties are heading into a major election year. Crowded races for county judge, county attorney, district clerk, and Congress mean long ballots and big decisions for millions of residents.
Dozens of candidates are competing for top county roles that will shape budgets, safety, and services across the region.
Voters in Harris County and Fort Bend County are heading into a major election year, with crowded races for county judge, county attorney, district clerk and Congress. Both counties have long lists of candidates from both parties, and the March 3 primaries will help decide who leads millions of residents and shape local decisions on safety, budgets and community services.
In Harris County, one of the biggest races is for county judge, where a large group of candidates is running to replace Democrat Lina Hidalgo. The county judge is the top office for Texas’ largest county and is responsible for emergency response, a budget worth billions of dollars, and decisions for more than 4 million people.
Democratic candidates:
- Annise Parker, former Houston mayor, city controller and council member
- Letitia Plummer, former Houston City Council member and dentist
- Matthew Salazar, business owner
Republican candidates:
- Aliza Dutt, mayor of Piney Point Village
- Oscar Gonzales, businessman and former sheriff’s deputy
- Warren Howell, insurance executive
- Marty Lancton, president of the Houston Professional Fire Fighters Association
- Orlando Sanchez, former Harris County treasurer and Houston City Council member
- George H. Zoes, business owner
Fort Bend County voters will also decide whether to reelect their county judge or move in a new direction, with 10 candidates five Democrats and five Republicans filing to run. Incumbent KP George, elected in 2018 and 2022, is seeking another term after switching from the Democratic Party to the Republican Party in 2025.
Democratic candidates:
- J. Christian Becerra, 434th District Court judge
- Ferrel Bonner, military veteran and Emergency Services District commissioner
- Rachelle Carter, associate judge for Sugar Land Municipal Court
- Cynthia Lenton‑Gary, Houston City College District VII trustee
- Dexter McCoy, Precinct 4 county commissioner
- Eddie Sajjad, entrepreneur and political consultant
Republican candidates:
- Daryl Aaron, retired U.S. Army lieutenant colonel
- Kenneth Omoruyi, certified public accountant and adjunct professor
- Melissa M. Wilson, conservative activist and real estate agent
- Daniel Wong, former Sugar Land City Council member and engineer
In Harris County, the district clerk’s race has drawn eight Democratic candidates seeking to replace Marilyn Burgess, who is not running for reelection. The district clerk manages court records, jury operations and key administrative functions for one of the nation’s largest court systems.
Democratic candidates:
- Desiree Broadnax, division manager at the Harris County District Attorney’s Office
- Pernell Davis, deputy chief of staff for public safety and organizational development, Harris County Precinct 2
- Angie Dozier, special projects administrator for the Harris County District Clerk’s Office
- Donna G. Glover, D&G Sports and Entertainment
- Darrell Jordan Jr., U.S. Army veteran and former Harris County judge
- Carlis Lollie, UT Physicians nurse practitioner specializing in internal medicine
- Jose “Alex” Maldonado, University of Houston industrial engineering student
- Roslyn “Rozzy” Shorter, international business travel professional
A three way contest is also underway for Harris County Attorney, the county’s chief civil legal adviser. Two Democrats and one Republican are running for the open seat, which will be held by a woman for the first time. The race follows the resignation of County Attorney Christian Menefee, who stepped down after winning reelection to pursue a seat in Congress.
Democratic candidates:
- Abbie Kamin, civil rights attorney and former Houston City Council member
- Audrie Lawton‑Evans, longtime attorney and Harris County Civil Court judge
Republican candidate:
- Jacqueline Lucci Smith, attorney and former Harris County Civil Court judge
Menefee is also in a runoff with Amanda Edwards for the Democratic nomination in Texas’ 18th Congressional District, emerging from a field of 16 candidates seeking to succeed the late Rep. Sylvester Turner. Menefee led with 28.89% of the vote, followed by Edwards with 25.55%, according to the Texas Secretary of State’s office.
The winner will advance to the March primary ballot, joining additional candidates who have filed for the seat.
Democratic candidates:
- Gretchen Brown
- Al Green
Republican candidates:
- Elizabeth Vences
- Ronald Dwayne Whitfield
Texas’ 29th Congressional District is set for a competitive primary landscape in 2026, with several candidates entering the race in both parties. The district, encompassing portions of eastern and southeastern Houston, includes incumbent Sylvia Garcia seeking re‑election against Democratic challengers while Republicans advance a single candidate.
Democratic Primary
- Sylvia Garcia — Incumbent
- Jarvis D. Johnson
- Robert Slater
Republican Primary
- Martha Fierro
Texas’ 38th Congressional District is set for a crowded 2026 primary season, drawing multiple Democratic contenders and a long list of Republican hopefuls. The district, which covers parts of northwest Harris County and the Houston suburbs,
Democratic Primary
- Theresa Courts
- Marvalette Hunter
- Melissa McDonough
Republican Primary
- Avery Ayers
- Jon Bonck
- Craig Goralski
- Barrett McNabb
- Carmen Maria Montiel
- Michael Pratt
- Larry Rubin
- Jennifer Sundt
- Jeff Yuna
- Shelly deZevallos
Texas’ 7th Congressional District enters the 2026 cycle with a relatively small but defined field of candidates. Incumbent Lizzie Fletcher is running unopposed in the Democratic primary as she seeks another term representing parts of west and southwest Houston.
The primaries will be held March 3, and Election Day is Nov. 3, when voters across the region will make the final choices that shape local leadership and county priorities for the next four years.
