Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo announced she will not seek re-election in 2026, prompting a competitive race to fill her position. Five candidates from both the Democratic and Republican parties have declared their bids.
Former Houston Mayor Annise Parker and Houston City Council member Letitia Plummer are running for the Democratic nomination. Parker served six years as mayor and remains active in national politics. Plummer currently serves on the city council and has experience in community engagement.
The Republican candidates include Marty Lancton, Aliza Dutt, and Orlando Sanchez. Lancton leads the Houston firefighters union. Dutt is the mayor of Piney Point Village. Sanchez is a former Harris County treasurer with prior local government experience.
Rice University political science professor Mark Jones said Harris County leans Democratic, which could pose challenges for Republican candidates.
Jones also noted that Democratic candidates need to appeal to both progressive voters and those focused on public safety, cost of living, and property taxes.
The primary filing deadline is Dec. 8, 2025. The primary election is scheduled for March 3, 2026, with the general election set for Nov. 3, 2026.