This sample ballot may not include all local party roles or measures on the official ballot. The listed candidates serve only within their party, and the propositions do not change the law.

2026 Texas General Election

2026 Texas Primary Election

Democrat

Republican

2026 Texas Primary Runoff

Sonia Lopez is from the Eastex Jensen area of Houston, Texas. She has a bachelor's degree from the University of Texas at Austin and a law degree from South Texas College of Law. 

Meet the primary candidates running for Harris County's justice of ...

Candidate website

Sonia Lopez is from the Eastex Jensen area of Houston, Texas. She has a bachelor's degree from the University of Texas at Austin and a law degree from South Texas College of Law. Sonia has a husband and daughter. 

Sonia is an in-house attorney for the Houston Federation of Teachers.

Harris County commissioners appoint Sonia Lopez to vacant civil ...

Sonia works as an in-house attorney for the Houston Federation of Teachers. She previously worked as a chief of staff. 

Sonia is currently a judge for Harris County. She was appointed to the bench in December 2025.

Sonia Lopez (Texas justice of the peace) - Ballotpedia

Sonia currently serves as a civil court judge for Harris County. She was appointed to the bench in December 2025 to fill a vacancy. She previously ran for justice of the peace in 2022 but did not win. 

As a civil court judge, see cases regarding civil matters such as eviction appeals, property disputes, personal injury suits, contract cases and small business claims.

As an attorney, researches, drafts, and files legal documents, and provides defense and counsel to clients.

- As a civil court judge, see cases regarding civil matters such as eviction appeals, property disputes, personal injury suits, contract cases and small business claims.
- As an attorney, researches, drafts, and files legal documents, and provides defense and counsel to clients.

Legal Experience

Believes in treating every member in the court with respect and approaching cases with impartiality, an open mind, and deciding matters based solely on the facts and the law.

Supports making court processes easier to understand, efficiently handling cases, promoting transparency and clear communication, and using technology responsibly to streamline operations.

Believes legal aid groups and zoom can be used to make courts more accessible.

- Believes in treating every member in the court with respect and approaching cases with impartiality, an open mind, and deciding matters based solely on the facts and the law.
- Supports making court processes easier to understand, efficiently handling cases, promoting transparency and clear communication, and using technology responsibly to streamline operations.
- Believes legal aid groups and zoom can be used to make courts more accessible.

Judicial Administration

Values service that is rooted in community.

- Values service that is rooted in community.

Judicial Philosophy

As of January 22, 2026, Sonia Lopez’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Ethics & Conduct

Actively participates in the Eastex Jensen Super Neighborhood Council, is an inaugural member of the Harris County Women's Commission, and is a Parent-Teacher Organization member.

Volunteers as a project administrator for the National Hispanic Institute's youth leadership program.

- Actively participates in the Eastex Jensen Super Neighborhood Council, is an inaugural member of the Harris County Women's Commission, and is a Parent-Teacher Organization member.
- Volunteers as a project administrator for the National Hispanic Institute's youth leadership program.

Community Involvement

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Sonia Lopez

Sonia Lopez is from the Eastex Jensen area of Houston, Texas. She has a bachelor 27s degree from the University of Texas at Austin and a law degree from South Texas College of Law. 

Sonia is an in-house attorney for the Houston Federation of Teachers. Sonia also interned for Harris County Commissioner Sylvia Garcia.

Sonia previously ran for Harris County Justice of the Peace, Precinct 1, Place 2, in 2022 but did not win. She is currently an associate judge for Harris County's Civil Court at Law, No. 1.

Sonia is from the Eastex Jensen area of Houston, Texas. She attended Houston Independent School District schools. She has a bachelor’s degree from the University of Texas at Austin and a Juris Doctor from South Texas College of Law.

Sonia Lopez is from the Eastex Jensen area in Houston, Texas. She attended schools in the Houston Independent School District. She has a bachelor's degree from the University of Texas at Austin and a Juris Doctor degree from South Texas College of Law.

Sonia is an in-house attorney. She works at the Houston Federation of Teachers. She previously served as Chief of Staff to Representative Hernandez and worked as an intern for Harris County Commissioner Sylvia Garcia.

Sonia is an in-house attorney. She works at the Houston Federation of Teachers. She previously served as Chief of Staff to Representative Hernandez.

Sonia Lopez was appointed by the Harris County Commissioners to fill a vacant seat on the bench.

Isaac Brickman

Walter Ley

- Hears bench and jury trials, including cases with large monetary amounts.
- Serves as an appellate judge for cases from local courts. They work on all cases they receive until they are closed or appealed to a higher court.
- County civil court-at-law judges are elected in a partisan, county-wide election to a four-year term. Candidates must be a U.S. citizen, at least 25 years old, have been a Texas and county resident for at least 24 consecutive months, a practicing lawyer and/or judge in Texas for at least four years, and registered to vote in that county.
- The annual salary for county civil court-at-law judges ranges from $174,000 to $244,500, depending on years of service and how much they receive as a county supplement.

Hears bench and jury trials and appeals from local courts.

Harris County Civil Court at Law Judge, Democratic Primary

Election results

Candidates (1)