Annise Parker has spent her entire adult life in Houston. She is a professor in the practice and the senior vice president and chief strategy officer at Neighborhood Centers, Inc. Parker was also previously a fellow of the Institute of Politics at Harvard. She was the first openly LGBTQ+ mayor of a major American city.

Former Houston Mayor Annise Parker to run for Harris County Judge ...

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Annise Parker is from Houston. She has a bachelor's degree in anthropology, psychology, and sociology from Rice University. She has a wife and four children. 

Annise previously served as the mayor of Houston and as the city controller. 

Former Houston Mayor Annise Parker announces campaign for ...

Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo vs. Annise Parker in 2026 would ...

Annise currently works as a lecturer at Rice University. She previously worked as the president and chief executive officer of the LGBTQ+ Victory Fund, a professor in the practice at Rice University, and as a senior vice president and chief strategy officer at BakerRipley.  

Annise previously served as the mayor of Houston from 2010 to 2016. She also served as a member of the Houston City Council and as Houston city controller.

Former Houston mayor Annise Parker running for Harris County judge

Annise previously served as the mayor of Houston from 2010 to 2016. She also served as a member of the Houston city council from 2004 to 2010 and as Houston city controller from 1998 to 2003.

Supports implementing a "Hire Harris County First" program to prioritize local firms and certified apprenticeship programs for county residents.

Supports implementing a program that prioritizes local firms that hire locally or participate in certified apprenticeship programs.

Supports a living wage of at least $20 per hour and advocates for higher state and federal minimum wages.

Supports a living wage of at least $20 per hour and policies that raise pay through county contracting standards and workforce programs.

Supports protecting local economic stability by investing in infrastructure, supporting workforce development, and defending local authority when federal or state actions threaten funding or jobs.

Supports investing in infrastructure, supporting workforce development, and defending local authority when federal or state actions interfere with funding or jobs. 

Supports partnering with labor and employers on apprenticeship programs, protecting disaster recovery dollars, and ensuring public projects create good local jobs.

Supports closing the structural budget deficit and addressing federal cuts and state revenue limits.

Plans to improve county financial transparency and increase understanding of it.

- Supports implementing a program that prioritizes local firms that hire locally or participate in certified apprenticeship programs.
- Supports a living wage of at least $20 per hour and policies that raise pay through county contracting standards and workforce programs.
- Supports investing in infrastructure, supporting workforce development, and defending local authority when federal or state actions interfere with funding or jobs. 
- Supports partnering with labor and employers on apprenticeship programs, protecting disaster recovery dollars, and ensuring public projects create good local jobs. 
- Supports closing the structural budget deficit and addressing federal cuts and state revenue limits.
- Plans to improve county financial transparency and increase understanding of it.

Economy

Plans to implement policies to reduce housing costs by removing "unnecessary barriers" to housing development.

- Plans to implement policies to reduce housing costs by removing "unnecessary barriers" to housing development.

Public Services

Supports modernizing the county jail, enhancing jail safety, and expanding programs that promote rehabilitation and reduce reoffending.

Supports modernizing the county jail, enhancing jail safety, and expanding programs that promote rehabilitation and reduce reoffences. 

Plans to work with Sheriff Ed Gonzalez on a new jail facility to house mentally ill prisoners.

Plans to work with the sheriff on a new jail facility to house mentally ill prisoners.

Supports prioritizing treatment over incarceration and supports diversion programs like the County’s HART program or the City of Houston’s Sobering Center.

Supports prioritizing treatment over incarceration and supports diversion programs, an alternative to traditional prosecution.

- Supports modernizing the county jail, enhancing jail safety, and expanding programs that promote rehabilitation and reduce reoffences. 
- Plans to work with the sheriff on a new jail facility to house mentally ill prisoners.
- Supports prioritizing treatment over incarceration and supports diversion programs, an alternative to traditional prosecution.

Public Safety

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

Transportation & Infrastructure

Supports expanding county science-based sex education programs to help prevent unwanted pregnancies.

Opposes funding cuts to public education.

Plans to fight against "Abbott’s voucher scam" to prevent draining funds from public schools.

Plans to evaluate the county pilot project on early childhood education and improve it with replacement funding.

- Supports expanding county science-based sex education programs to help prevent unwanted pregnancies.
- Opposes funding cuts to public education.
- Plans to fight against "Abbott’s voucher scam" to prevent draining funds from public schools.
- Plans to evaluate the county pilot project on early childhood education and improve it with replacement funding.

Education

Supports strengthening Harris Health, expanding preventive and mental health services, and addressing chronic health inequities with county resources.

Supports strengthening Harris Health, expanding preventive and mental health services, and addressing chronic health inequities.

Supports strengthening and expanding the network of Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs).

Supports strengthening and expanding the network of Federally Qualified Health Centers. 

Supports reducing duplication of services and costs by improving coordination between county and city health departments.

Plans to expand public emergency management education.

Plans to coordinate with local hospitals, shelters, and non-profits to ensure community preparation for disasters.

- Supports strengthening Harris Health, expanding preventive and mental health services, and addressing chronic health inequities.
- Supports strengthening and expanding the network of Federally Qualified Health Centers. 
- Supports reducing duplication of services and costs by improving coordination between county and city health departments. 
- Supports abortion.
- Plans to expand public emergency management education.
- Plans to coordinate with local hospitals, shelters, and non-profits to ensure community preparation for disasters.
- Supports expanding Medicaid.

Public Health

Supports advocating for consistent and accurate floodplain maps.

Advocates for consistent and accurate floodplain maps.

Supports working with federal partners to expedite long-term flood mitigation projects like the Ike Dike and Addicks and Barker Reservoirs.

Supports working with federal partners to speed up long-term flood mitigation solutions.

Supports upgraded drainage as well as road, ditch, and sewer maintenance for hurricane preparedness.

Plans to work with federal and state delegations to insure fair funding for flood prevention and infrastructure projects.

- Advocates for consistent and accurate floodplain maps.
- Supports working with federal partners to speed up long-term flood mitigation solutions.
- Supports upgraded drainage as well as road, ditch, and sewer maintenance for hurricane preparedness.
- Plans to work with federal and state delegations to insure fair funding for flood prevention and infrastructure projects.

Energy & the Environment

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Annise Parker

Supports implementing a "Hire Harris County First" program to prioritize local firms that hire or engage in certified apprenticeship programs for local residents.

Annise Parker has spent her entire adult life in Houston. She is a professor in the practice and the senior vice president and chief strategy officer at Neighborhood Centers, Inc. Parker was the first openly LGBTQ+ mayor of a major American city.

Annise previously served as the mayor of Houston from 2010 to 2016. She also served as an at-large member of the Houston City Council and as the Houston City Controller.

Plans to implement a new case management system to streamline court operations.

Promises to uphold the law and maintain ethical conduct.

Wants to enhance transparency and accessibility of county finances for the public.

Plans to "support and promote community involvement initiatives that encourage civic engagement, volunteerism, and participation in local governance."