Updated 10:33 a.m.

Democratic candidate Lina Hidalgo defeated incumbent Republican Ed Emmett Nov. 6 in the Harris County judge race, receiving 590,524 votes, or 49.72 percent of the vote. Emmett received 572,816 votes, or 48.23 percent of the vote. The Libertarian candidate, Eric Gatlin, received 24,379 votes, or 2.05 percent of the vote.

Hidalgo has previously worked as an advocate in criminal justice reform and has listed reform, along with flood control, health care access and transportation as some of her priorities in a previous interview with Community Impact Newspaper.

Hidalgo could not immediately be reached for comment, but posted about her victory on social media.



In a post on his Facebook page, Emmett attributed the loss in part to straight-ticket voting, which he said resulted in a larger portion of Democratic votes.



Emmett has served as judge since 2007 and has served in the Texas House of Representatives from 1979-1987 and as commissioner of the Interstate Commerce Commission from 1989-1992, according to a previous interview with Community Impact Newspaper.

With Hidalgo's victory and the defeat of Republican Jack Morman in the Harris County Precinct 2 commissioner race by Adrian Garcia, Harris County Commissioner's Court will have a Democratic majority in 2019.

All results are unofficial until canvassed.

Updated 11:50 p.m.

With 98 percent of precincts reporting, Democrat Lina Hidalgo appears to be headed for victory in the race for Harris County judge with 582,160 votes, or 49.62 percent of the vote. Incumbent Republican Ed Emmett received 566,893 votes, or 48.32 percent of the vote. Libertarian candidate Eric Gatlin received 24,085 votes, or 2.05 percent of the vote.

Hidalgo could not be reached for comments on election night. All results are unofficial until canvassed.

Updated 11:20 p.m.
Democratic challenger Lina Hidalgo has a lead of 11,259 votes over incumbent Republican Ed Emmett in the race for Harris County judge, with 572,901 votes, or 49.46 percent of the vote, to Emmett's 561,642 votes, or 48.49 percent of the votes. Libertarian candidate Eric Gatlin received 23,693 votes, or 2.05 percent of the votes.

Hidalgo could not immediately be reached for comment.

A spokesperson for Emmett's campaign said, with 94 percent of the vote counted, Emmett was waiting to hear the final results.

"The votes aren’t exactly closed up, but the judge has mentioned that he’s had an amazing 40-year career, and he thanks the citizens of Harris County," spokesperson Alec Carvalho said.

Emmett was first elected to public office in 1978 in the Texas House of Representatives. He has served as Harris County Judge since 2007.

Updated 9:40 p.m.
Incumbent Republican Harris County Judge Ed Emmett is maintaining a lead against challenger Democrat Lina Hidalgo, with 443,153 votes, or 49.43 percent of the vote. Hidalgo has 436,702 votes, or 48.71 percent of the vote. Libertarian candidate Eric Gatlin has received 16,731 votes, or 1.87 percent of the vote.

All results are unofficial until canvassed.

Posted 8:52 p.m.

Incumbent Republican Harris County Judge Ed Emmett has a narrow lead over Democratic challenger Lina Hidalgo in early and absentee voting, with 412,520 votes, or 49.47 percent of the vote, to Hidalgo's 406,313 votes, or 48.72 percent of the vote. Libertarian candidate Eric Gatlin has 1.81 percent of the vote, with 15,082 votes.

All votes are unofficial until canvassed.