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Two Houston City Council alums are set to face off for the Democratic nomination for Harris County judge in the May 26 runoff election.
Some context
Former Houston Mayor Annise Parker and former council member Letitia Plummer are vying for the Democratic nomination after three candidates sought the office during the March primary election.
Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo formally announced in September that she will not seek reelection for a third term as judge of Texas’ largest county.
Hidalgo has served as county judge since 2019 and was reelected after winning the county seat during the November 2022 general election. Her current four-year term ends Dec. 31, 2026.
What you need to know
Early voting for the runoff election runs from May 18-22, and residents can view a sample ballot by entering information through the Harris County Clerk's Office.
Community Impact reached out to candidates ahead of the primaries to provide a side-by-side, equitable resource for Texas voters to review candidates' perspectives as they prepare to head to the polls.
Candidates were asked to keep responses under 50 words, answer the questions provided and avoid attacking opponents. Answers may have been edited or cut to adhere to those guidelines, or for style and clarity.
Houston mayor, controller, and council member. Managed multi-billion-dollar budgets; led emergency response during major storms.
Why are you running for Harris County judge?
I’ve had enough of Greg Abbott, Ken Paxton, and MAGA Republicans targeting our families. I’ll use my experience as Houston’s mayor to protect Harris County from Abbott’s plan to steal our flood prevention funds, Paxton’s voter suppression efforts, and Trump’s attempts to take away our health care and dismantle FEMA.
What about your experience makes you stand out as a candidate?
I’ve led a huge city as a city councilmember, controller, and mayor. I managed multi-billion-dollar budgets, led during major disasters, and worked regionally and across agencies to deliver services. I created the Hire Houston First program so everyone who wants to work has the chance for a good-paying job.
What are your top three priorities for constituents in Harris County, and why?
Flood infrastructure resilience; emergency preparedness; and affordability for working families. Next is access to healthcare. These issues directly affect safety, stability, and quality of life, and require coordinated planning, disciplined budgeting, and accountability. Overlaying all these is the imperative to protect Harris County from attacks by Abbott, Paxton, and Trump.
A 2025 State of Housing in Harris County report found the number of cost-burdened households is increasing, making homeownership increasingly out of reach. If elected, what specific actions will you take in your first year to address this growing concern?
Everyone deserves a home. I would strengthen eviction prevention, expand housing stabilization programs, and align county funds to preserve and produce affordable housing. I would prioritize joint housing investments with cities, and leverage county dollars to attract additional state, federal, and philanthropic investment.
Harris County residents have yet to receive updated information about FEMA flood maps, leaving communities and the governing bodies who oversee infrastructure decisions at a standstill. If FEMA flood map updates continue to lag, what local measures in emergency preparedness would you support to guide flood-risk planning in the meantime?
Trump is dismantling FEMA while Abbott sits back and Harris County families suffer. In the absence of updated flood maps, we must use existing flood data, modeling, and historical patterns to guide interim planning. This includes prioritizing high-risk areas for mitigation, strengthening emergency communications, and ensuring departments coordinate decisions.
What is your approach to collaborating with other commissioners to reach consensus on policy and budget decisions?
My approach is preparation, respect, and clarity. I focus on shared goals, data-driven decision-making, and open communication. Our county is continually fending off attacks from hostile state and federal governments. While consensus is important, effective leadership also requires moving forward with clear priorities and accountability.
Practicing dentist, small business owner, former Houston City Council member, and community nonprofit founder.
Why are you running for Harris County judge?
As a working mother and small business owner, I offer Harris County a fresh, equity-focused perspective. My record includes championing housing, policing, and immigration reforms. I am ready to lead on day one with bold, progressive solutions that prioritize marginalized communities and ensure our county works for every working family.
What about your experience makes you stand out as a candidate?
I stand out as a working mother and small business owner who leads with equity. My track record includes championing apartment inspection reform, policing oversight, and protecting immigrant communities. I offer bold, progressive solutions and a proven ability to deliver structural reform for our marginalized residents on day one.
What are your top three priorities for constituents in Harris County, and why?
I will prioritize justice by expanding Cite and Release and non-police emergency responses. I’ll establish a County Housing Trust Fund for permanent affordability and hold landlords accountable. Finally, I will aggressively fund Harris Health clinics in underserved communities and expand behavioral health services to address the root causes of community …
A 2025 State of Housing in Harris County report found the number of cost-burdened households is increasing, making homeownership increasingly out of reach. If elected, what specific actions will you take in your first year to address this growing concern?
I will establish a dedicated County Housing Trust Fund to create permanent affordability and provide down-payment assistance for first-time homebuyers. In my first year, I will fully fund the Housing Quality Enforcement Task Force to hold bad landlords accountable and protect existing housing stock. My approach focuses on structural reform …
Harris County residents have yet to receive updated information about FEMA flood maps, leaving communities and the governing bodies who oversee infrastructure decisions at a standstill. If FEMA flood map updates continue to lag, what local measures in emergency preparedness would you support to guide flood-risk planning in the meantime?
I support implementing hyper-local neighborhood resilience plans that use current rainfall data and community-led mapping to identify immediate risks. I will advocate for expanding local stormwater detention requirements and investing in green infrastructure projects in underserved areas that traditional maps often overlook. We cannot wait for federal updates; we must …
What is your approach to collaborating with other commissioners to reach consensus on policy and budget decisions?
My approach is rooted in transparency and shared goals for community resilience. I believe in engaging commissioners early by identifying where our constituents' needs overlap, such as in infrastructure and public safety. On City Council, I successfully navigated complex policy battles by being steadfast in my values while remaining open …