Harris County District Clerk Marilyn Burgess formally announced she will not seek reelection for a third term as the district clerk of Texas’ largest county. Burgess said in a Sept. 22 news release that she also won’t pursue another political office.

Burgess and her staff support the legal proceedings within more than 90 courts in Harris County. She first took office in 2019, then went on to win reelection in 2022. Her current term ends Dec. 31, 2026.

“I have truly loved this job and everything we have accomplished,” Burgess said. “When I leave this office on Dec. 31, 2026, it will be with my head held high, proud of our work, and grateful for the opportunity to serve the people of Harris County.”

The context

The announcement comes less than a week after Burgess appeared before Harris County commissioners Sept. 18, addressing her request for a raise with the county’s salary grievance committee.

Over the last eight-plus months, commissioners and county department leaders have weighed how to offset at least $102 million in cuts and other savings before adopting the fiscal year 2025-26 budget Sept. 24. Various approved pay parity adjustments have been made, including the renegotiated $81,000 pay raises for the county’s eight elected constables.

Burgess requested a formal hearing with the county’s salary grievance committee, according to a Sept. 1 letter to Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo. Burgess said her 2024 salary of $179,420.80 was “disproportionately low for the scale and complexity” of her role and requested an increase to match the $260,000 approved for elected constables.

“If the county chooses to significantly increase any department head’s compensation, it is only fair and fiscally responsible to conduct a comprehensive and transparent review of all comparable roles,” Burgess said.

Zooming out

Leading up to the FY 2025-26 budget adoption, several elected officials appeared before Commissioners Court seeking higher pay in August, including judges within the county’s district courts and the county’s eight elected constables.

Under the 1987 Texas law, Sec. 152, which oversees compensation for elected county officers or employees, counties can select members of the salary committee composed of nine voting members and the following county officials:

  • Judge
  • Sheriff
  • Tax Assessor-Collector
  • Treasurer
  • Clerk
  • District Clerk
  • Attorney or criminal district attorney
According to the law, the county judge is the chairman of the salary grievance committee but does not vote. The nine public members serve on the committee until the end of the appointed fiscal year or the time the committee takes a final vote on the last of the grievances.

“Let me be clear: my grievance was never just about my salary. It was about fairness, transparency and accountability,” Burgess said in a Sept. 22 statement.

This is a developing story, and Community Impact will provide updates.