- County commissioners vote on the budget and appropriations, which fund essential county services like road maintenance.
- They create and enforce civil and criminal laws that align with state regulations, including land use and construction codes.
- Commissioners implement state and federal mandates while overseeing county agencies and public buildings.
- They also set tax rates for the county and its subdivisions.
- Each Texas county has four commissioners and a county judge, forming the local governing body known as the Commissioners Court.

2026 Texas Primary Runoff

Texas

Taxes

Economy

Public Services

Housing & Urban Development

Public Safety

Transportation & Infrastructure

Energy & the Environment

Ethics & Conduct

County Commissioner

- The Attorney General is Texas’ top lawyer, representing the state in court and defending its laws and constitution.
- They provide legal advice to the governor and state agencies when asked and approve state bond issues.
- The Attorney General enforces certain laws, including child support, consumer protection, and crime victim services.
- They are elected statewide by voters and serve a four-year term with no term limits.
- As of 2025, the Attorney General’s salary is about $153,750 per year.

Victim Assistance

Public Health

Legal Experience

Consumer Protection

Voting & Elections

Attorney General

- Voters of the entire state elect judges to the Texas Criminal Court of Appeals. He or she serves in that capacity for a full six-year term. There are no term limits, but judges must retire at 75 years or older.
- The court has the power to overturn a criminal conviction and is the final authority on criminal matters in the state of Texas.
- The Criminal Court of Appeals can choose whether or not to review most criminal cases. However, the court is required to review cases involving the death penalty or bail denials.
- Court of Criminal Appeals judges earn a salary of $210,000 to $264,600, depending on how long they have served.

One of nine judges who serves on the highest appeals court for criminal matters in Texas. 

Criminal Justice

Judicial Administration

Judicial Philosophy

Community Involvement

Court of Criminal Appeals Judge

- The railroad commissioner is one of three members of the Texas Railroad Commission, which regulates the oil and natural gas industry, pipeline transporters, liquified petroleum gas, coal and uranium mining, and oversees clean drinking water. Despite its name, the commission no longer regulates railroads.
- Railroad commissioners are elected in statewide partisan elections for six-year, staggered terms, with one seat up for election every two years. The commissioners elect the chairman, and the Governor appoints replacements if a vacancy arises.

One of three commissioners who oversee the oil and gas industry, coal and uranium mining, and clean drinking water. 

Environment

Railroad Commissioner

- The lieutenant governor is elected statewide by voters and is the second-highest elected official in Texas.
- They run the Texas Senate, deciding which bills are considered and who serves on Senate committees. This gives them major influence over state laws.
- They can cast a deciding vote in the Senate if there is a tie.
- The lieutenant governor helps shape the state budget and policy priorities by serving on key budget and oversight boards.
- If the governor is out of state, temporarily unable to serve, or leaves office, the lieutenant governor takes over the governor’s duties. If the governor leaves office permanently, the lieutenant governor becomes governor.
- The lieutenant governor serves a four-year term and can run again with no term limits.
- The position pays the same base salary as a Texas state legislator (about $7,200 a year), plus additional daily pay during legislative sessions.

Utility Costs

Healthcare

Foreign Policy and Immigration

Education

Lieutenant Governor

- The US Senator is a member of the United States Senate, the upper house of the United States Congress. There are a total of 100 US Senators. Texas, like every other US state, has two senators. 
- US Senators have a great deal of power when it comes to bringing the concerns of their state to the national arena. US Senators can author, sponsor, amend, debate, and vote on bills that may become national law. 
- US Senators have an important role in deciding who runs the federal government. They hold confirmation hearings for most presidential appointees, including new Supreme Court Justices and Presidential Cabinet Members.
- Senators can be appointed to committees that focus on particular issues. Examples include the Appropriations Committee, which handles budget planning, and the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, which is a diplomatic body that welcomes foreign delegations.
- Senators are elected to six-year terms in statewide elections. US Senators are paid a salary of $174,000/year.

One of two federal lawmakers representing Texas in the US Senate

Economic Growth

US Senator

- District attorneys prosecute felony criminal cases on behalf of the state, presenting them to grand juries and working closely with law enforcement during investigations.
- They also represent victims seeking protective orders and assist in removing children from abusive homes as part of their responsibilities.
- They are elected to four-year terms.
- District attorneys in Texas make between $175,000 and $220,500, based on how long they have served in office. 

Acts as the attorney for the state of Texas in felony cases.

Van Zandt

District Attorney

Dayton Lakes

Daisetta

Kenefick

Browndell

Old River-Winfree

Cove

Vidor

Rose City

Taylor Landing

Kountze

Pine Forest

Woodville

Chester

Kirbyville

Anahuac

Nome

Devers

Tiki Island

Brazoria

La Marque

Plum Grove

Arcola

Rose Hill Acres

West Orange

Lake Jackson

Iowa Colony

Jones Creek

Beasley

Sandy Point

Clute

Pearland

Holiday Lakes

Kemah

Thompsons

Freeport

West Columbia

Surfside Beach

Orchard

Danbury

Galveston

Hitchcock

China

Liverpool

Bonney

Bayou Vista

Shoreacres

Sweeny

Seabrook

Weston Lakes

Kendleton

Needville

Simonton

Fairchilds

Colmesneil

Newton

Brookside Village

Meadows Place

Fulshear

North Cleveland

Pinehurst

Bailey's Prairie

Manvel

Morgan's Point

Mont Belvieu

Cleveland

Ivanhoe

Dickinson

Texas City

Liberty

Lumberton

Quintana

Katy

Missouri City

Richwood

Port Arthur

Groves

Rosenberg

Clear Lake Shores

Angleton

Orange

Pleak

Santa Fe

Richmond

Bridge City

Beach City

Bevil Oaks

Nederland

Jamaica Beach

Alvin

Ames

Friendswood

Sugar Land

Stafford

Silsbee

Beaumont

Dayton

League City

Sour Lake

Jasper

Hardin

Full profiles for 15 counties, including Collin and Dallas

Full profiles for down to counties, including Bexar and Brazoria (measures use no coverage)

2026 Texas candidates

Travis County Commissioner Runoff, District 4, Democratic Primary

2 candidates

Texas Attorney General Runoff, Republican Primary

2 candidates

How this impacts you

Texas Court of Criminal Appeals Judge Runoff, Republican Primary

2 candidates

Texas Attorney General Runoff, Democratic Primary

2 candidates

How this impacts you

Texas Railroad Commissioner Runoff, Republican Primary

2 candidates

How this impacts you

Texas Lieutenant Governor Runoff, Democratic Primary

2 candidates

How this impacts you

Texas US Senator Runoff, Republican Primary

2 candidates

How this impacts you

Van Zandt District Attorney Runoff, Republican Primary

2 candidates

Williamson County Commissioner Runoff, District 2, Republican Primary

2 candidates