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

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

Judicial Philosophy

Aliza is a first-generation American who moved to the United States from Hong Kong as a child. She grew up working in her family's small business. Aliza lives in Piney Point Village with her husband and their three children.

Aliza is the elected mayor of Piney Point Village.

Who Is Running for Harris County Judge in 2026? Here Is the Field ...

Piney Point Mayor challenging Lina Hidalgo for Harris County Judge ...

Aliza previously worked as an energy analyst and built a career in the private sector before entering public service.

Aliza previously served as the mayor of Piney Point Village.

Aliza Dutt currently serves as the mayor of Piney Point Village, a position she has held since 2024.

Supports fiscal responsibility, public safety, and transparency, with a focus on supporting law enforcement and protecting taxpayers.

Advocates for "local voices" and opposes what she describes as top-down mandates from state or federal government.

- Supports fiscal responsibility, public safety, and transparency, with a focus on supporting law enforcement and protecting taxpayers.
- Advocates for "local voices" and opposes what she describes as top-down mandates from state or federal government.

Economy

Intends to improve the delivery of county services by increasing accountability and streamlining operations.

Supports a move toward consensus-driven governance and focusing on core county functions that impact residents' daily lives.

- Intends to improve the delivery of county services by increasing accountability and streamlining operations.
- Supports a move toward consensus-driven governance and focusing on core county functions that impact residents' daily lives.

Public Services

For Candidate Aliza Dutt on Issue public-safety: Criticizes current leadership for inadequate handling of crime and homelessness, advocating for improved collaboration between law enforcement and community organizations to enhance safety.

Criticizes current leadership for inadequate handling of crime and homelessness.

Advocates for improved collaboration between law enforcement and community organizations to enhance safety.

- Criticizes current leadership for inadequate handling of crime and homelessness.
- Advocates for improved collaboration between law enforcement and community organizations to enhance safety.

Public Safety

Piney Point Mayor launches campaign against Lina Hidalgo for Harris County Judge

Piney Point mayor to run for Lina Hidalgo's Harris County judge seat

For Candidate Aliza Dutt on Issue Transportation & Infrastructure: Emphasizes fiscal responsibility and transparency in supporting law enforcement and protecting taxpayers.

Emphasizes fiscal responsibility and transparency in supporting law enforcement and protecting taxpayers.

Advocates for fiscal transparency in infrastructure projects, specifically focusing on the condition of roads and streets

As mayor Managed major city projects including the Shadow Way Drainage Improvements and the Windermere 24 Inch Outfall Repair.

- Emphasizes fiscal responsibility and transparency in supporting law enforcement and protecting taxpayers.
- Advocates for fiscal transparency in infrastructure projects, specifically focusing on the condition of roads and streets
- As mayor Managed major city projects including the Shadow Way Drainage Improvements and the Windermere 24 Inch Outfall Repair.

Transportation & Infrastructure

Education

Public Health

Energy & the Environment

Instagram

Aliza Dutt

Aliza is currently the mayor of Piney Point Village. She was elected in 2024 and is serving her first term.

Isaac Brickman

Buket Urgen

Walter Ley

As of January 22, 2026, George Harry Zoes’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Judicial Administration

Ethics & Conduct

Community Involvement

George is from Houston. He attends Annunciation Greek Orthodox Cathedral and volunteers there. 

George previously worked in the restaurant business and has launched multiple wholesale, design, and retail companies. 

George Harry Zoes previously ran for Harris County Judge in 2022 and did not win.

George Zoes - Ballotpedia

March primaries and May elections to know in The Woodlands area ...

George previously ran for Harris County judge in 2022 and did not win. 

Supports rejecting "wasteful spending" and making sure funds reflect the values of the community.

Plans to publish a transparent, line-item county budget online and hold quarterly town halls to listen to residents about concerns.

Supports "cutting ineffective programs, consolidating overlapping departments, or saying no to tax hikes when government bloat is the real issue. "

- Supports rejecting "wasteful spending" and making sure funds reflect the values of the community.
- Plans to publish a transparent, line-item county budget online and hold quarterly town halls to listen to residents about concerns.
- Supports "cutting ineffective programs, consolidating overlapping departments, or saying no to tax hikes when government bloat is the real issue. "

Believes in reforms that prioritize efficiency.

For Candidate George Harry Zoes on Issue economy: Supports helping everyone, including small businesses, and emphasizes a commitment to community service beyond personal political views.

Supports helping everyone, no matter their personal political views. 

- Believes in reforms that prioritize efficiency.
- Supports helping everyone, no matter their personal political views. 

Believes in fully funding law enforcement, firefighters, and emergency medical services and providing fair pay.

Supports measuring results in crime reduction.

- Believes in fully funding law enforcement, firefighters, and emergency medical services and providing fair pay.
- Supports measuring results in crime reduction.

Plans on prioritizing fixing neighborhoods that have been neglected instead of "the loudest or wealthiest voices."

Values ensuring communities have access to safe roads, sidewalks, and drainage improvements.

- Plans on prioritizing fixing neighborhoods that have been neglected instead of "the loudest or wealthiest voices."
- Values ensuring communities have access to safe roads, sidewalks, and drainage improvements.

Plans to invest in after-school programs, mental health support, and job training to create safer communities, reduce long-term costs, and expand businesses.

- Plans to invest in after-school programs, mental health support, and job training to create safer communities, reduce long-term costs, and expand businesses.

Facebook

George Harry Zoes

George previously ran for Harris County Judge in 2022 and did not win. 

- Supports rejecting wasteful spending and making sure funds reflect the values of the community.
- Plans to publish a transparent, line-item county budget online and hold quarterly town halls to listen to residents about concerns.
- Supports "cutting ineffective programs, consolidating overlapping departments, or saying no to tax hikes when government bloat is the real issue. "

George Harry Zoes previously ran for Harris County Judge in 2022 but did not win.

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

Marty Lancton is a native of Houston, Texas. Marty lives in Houston with his family. 

Marty is president of the Houston Professional Fire Fighters Association. He works at the union, where he leads contract negotiations and advocates for firefighters. He previously served as a firefighter with the City of Houston Fire Department.

Firefighters union leader Marty Lancton running for Harris County ...

Marty currently works as a firefighter and paramedic for the Houston Fire Department. He has served as the president of the Houston Professional Fire Fighters Association (HPFFA) since 2016 and as the vice president of the Texas State Association of Fire Fighters since 2017. Marty began his career in public safety in 2000 as a firefighter and paramedic in Cedar Park, Texas, before joining the West University Fire Department and later the Houston Fire Department.

Marty Lancton's campaign for Harris County Judge is his first entry into politics.

Marty's campaign for Harris County Judge is his first entry into politics.

Supports cutting property taxes and wasteful spending.

Supports expanding the port, supporting small businesses, and strengthening the workforce to help young people build careers locally.

- Supports cutting property taxes and wasteful spending.
- Supports expanding the port, supporting small businesses, and strengthening the workforce to help young people build careers locally.

Intends to restore trust in county government by ending corruption and increasing accountability for county leaders.

Supports making county operations more transparent to ensure the government works for residents not insiders.

- Intends to restore trust in county government by ending corruption and increasing accountability for county leaders.
- Supports making county operations more transparent to ensure the government works for residents not insiders.

Supports law enforcement and first responders with the necessary resources to combat rising crime.

- Supports law enforcement and first responders with the necessary resources to combat rising crime.

Supports investing in flood control, disaster preparedness, and strong infrastructure to protect families and neighborhoods.

Supports investing in flood control and disaster preparedness.

- Supports investing in flood control and disaster preparedness.

Twitter

Marty Lancton

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

Orlando Sanchez has a bachelor's degree from the University of Houston.

Orlando Sánchez is originally from Havana, Cuba. He earned a bachelor's in political science from the University of Houston. Orlando lives in Houston.

Orlando previously served as Harris County Treasurer for 12 years. He also served on the Houston City Council. 

LinkedIn

Orlando Sanchez - Ballotpedia

Orlando Sanchez - Wikipedia

Orlando currently works as founder of Texas Latino Conservatives, a political action committee focused on Hispanic conservative engagement. He served in the U.S. Air Force and the Texas Air National Guard for 13 years.

Orlando previously served as a member of the Houston City Council and as the Harris County Treasurer. He has run for office nine times and has won six times.

Republican Orlando Sanchez, former county treasurer and city ...

Orlando previously served as Harris county treasurer for three terms between 2007 and 2018. He also served three terms as a Houston city council member from 1996 to 2002. Orlando ran for mayor of Houston in 2001 and 2003, and for Houston city controller in 2019 and 2023, but did not win.

Orlando Sánchez: From Cuban Immigrant to Harris County Judge Candidate

Supports ending unnecessary travel and reprioritizing spending to essentials and basic services for Harris County taxpayers.

Supports major property tax reductions as the foundation of economic growth.

Supports reining in out-of-control spending, scrubbing the budget, and expanding public safety and healthcare access, while ensuring preparedness for natural disasters.

Advocates for strict fiscal discipline and reduced government spending.

Supports working with the Governor to provide lasting property tax relief to Texans.

Supports keeping Harris County business-friendly to preserve economic opportunity and opposes labor unions.

- Supports major property tax reductions as the foundation of economic growth.
- Advocates for strict fiscal discipline and reduced government spending.
- Supports keeping Harris County business-friendly to preserve economic opportunity and opposes labor unions.

Supports prioritizing essential public services over non-essential programs.

- Supports prioritizing essential public services over non-essential programs.

For Candidate Orlando Sanchez on Issue public-safety: Supports creating a public safety district in Houston to generate revenue for first responders and transitioning them to a defined contribution retirement plan to alleviate pressure on the city's general fund.

Advocates for tougher criminal justice policies and keeping repeat offenders in jail.

Supports ending the judicial revolving door created by liberal judges through mandatory sentencing guidelines and reducing discretion for repeat offenders and egregious crimes.

Supports expanding law enforcement and criminal justice resources.

- Advocates for tougher criminal justice policies and keeping repeat offenders in jail.
- Supports expanding law enforcement and criminal justice resources.

Believes flooding is a significant issue and criticizes the current administration for misusing federal funds, emphasizing the need for proper management of resources to address infrastructure challenges.

Believes infrastructure investment must focus on core services and flood control.

- Believes infrastructure investment must focus on core services and flood control.

Supports strong conservative involvement in local education policy.

- Supports strong conservative involvement in local education policy.

Supports pandemic preparedness and emphasizes the need for strict health guidelines.

Supports expanding access to mental health and basic healthcare services.

- Supports expanding access to mental health and basic healthcare services.

Believes environmental policy should focus on disaster resilience rather than climate regulation.

Supports maintaining Texas’s traditional energy-driven economy.

- Believes environmental policy should focus on disaster resilience rather than climate regulation.
- Supports maintaining Texas’s traditional energy-driven economy.

Orlando Sanchez

Orlando Sánchez is originally from Havana, Cuba. He earned a Bachelor of Arts in political science from the University of Houston. Sánchez lives in Houston.

Orlando currently works as Founder of Texas Latino Conservatives, a political action committee focused on Hispanic conservative engagement. He previously worked as Harris County Treasurer, Houston City Council Member, board member of Capital Bank Texas, board member of HCA Houston Healthcare Northwest, and Chairman of the University of Houston Foundation Board of Trustees. He served in the U.S. Air Force and the Texas Air National Guard for 13 years.

Orlando previously served as Harris County Treasurer. He served three terms from 2007 to 2018. Orlando Sánchez previously served as a Houston City Council Member At-Large. He served three terms. Orlando previously ran for Mayor of Houston in 2001, but did not win. He previously ran for Mayor of Houston again in 2003, but did not win. Orlando Sánchez previously ran for Houston City Controller in 2019, but did not win. He previously ran for Houston City Controller again in 2023, but did not win. Orlando Sánchez’s campaign for Harris County Judge in 2026 is his current run for public office.

Orlando Sanchez has a bachelor's degree from the University of Houston. He is a veteran of the United States Air Force and the Texas Air National Guard.

Orlando is a veteran of the United States Air Force and the Texas Air National Guard. He previously served as treasurer for Harris County for 12 years. He also served six years on Houston's City Council and was assigned to the Council's Budget Committee. He is currently on the board of directors for Capital Bank in Houston. 

Orlando previously served as a member of the Houston City Council. He also served as the Harris County treasurer for 12 years.

Orlando Sanchez came to Houston as a child, fleeing Communist oppression in Cuba with his family. He has a bachelor's degree from the University of Houston. 

Orlando is a board member at Capital Bank and the University of Houston Foundation Board of Trustees. He previously served as Harris County Treasurer for 12 years and as a Houston City Council member for six years. 

Orlando previously served as a member of the Houston City Council and as the Harris County Treasurer for 12 years.

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

Oscar Gonzales is from Houston, Texas. He graduated from Reagan High School. Oscar is of Mexican, Portuguese, and Native American ancestry from the Kickapoo tribe. He speaks both English and Spanglish.

Oscar Gonzales is originally from Houston.

Oscar is a retired deputy sheriff. He worked at the Harris County Sheriff's Office for 30 years. He retired in 2018.

Oscar is currently retired. He previously worked as a deputy in the Harris County Sheriff's Office.

Oscar previously ran for Harris County judge in 2022 but did not win. He is a retired deputy sheriff with 30 years of experience working in the Harris County jail.

Oscar Gonzales (Texas judicial candidate) - Ballotpedia

Oscar previously ran for Harris County judge in 2022 but did not win.

Aims to provide tax relief by ending reckless spending and lowering the burden on hardworking families.

Supports reducing spending and "lowering the [tax] burden on hardworking families" to "encourag[e] economic growth that benefits every community."

- Supports reducing spending and "lowering the [tax] burden on hardworking families" to "encourag[e] economic growth that benefits every community."

Aims to restore public safety and tackle rising crime head-on.

Opposes bail reform, policies that release defendants before a criminal trial based on public safety risks instead of their ability to pay money to be released.

- Aims to restore public safety and tackle rising crime head-on.
- Opposes bail reform, policies that release defendants before a criminal trial based on public safety risks instead of their ability to pay money to be released.

Oscar Gonzales

Oscar Gonzales is from Houston, Texas. He graduated from Reagan High School. Spanish was his first language, and today he speaks both English and Spanglish.

Oscar is a retired deputy sheriff. He worked at the Harris County Sheriff's Office for 30 years, including roles in jail operations, narcotics, and various court divisions. He retired in 2018. 

Oscar Gonzales is from Houston, Texas. He graduated from Reagan High School. 

Oscar is a retired deputy sheriff. He worked at the Harris County Sheriff's Office for 30 years, where he served in nearly every division. He retired in 2018. 

As of January 22, 2026, Warren A. Howell’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Warren Howell is from Harris County, Texas. He is married to his wife, Dr. Paula Howell. He has lived in the Spring Branch neighborhood for over 40 years.

Warren A. Howell is from Harris County, Texas. He is married to his wife, Dr. Paula Howell. He has lived in the Spring Branch neighborhood for over 40 years.

Warren is the president and owner of Employers Risk Insurance. He previously worked as a partner at Beckner-Howell Building Corp. and led a local manufacturing company that produces roofing products. He is an Air Force veteran.

Warren previously ran for Harris County judge in 2022 but did not win. He is currently a businessman.

Warren Howell - Ballotpedia

26 candidates file in 7 contested Harris County races for 2026 primary

Here's who will be on March primary ballots in the Houston area ...

Candidate Warren Howell Brings Back Common Sense Leadership ...

Supports balanced budgets, increased funding for public safety, and addressing homelessness, while advocating for the removal of property tax burdens from senior citizens and veterans.

Supports balanced budgets, increased funding for public safety, and addressing homelessness.

Advocates for the removal of property tax burdens from senior citizens and veterans.

Advocates for aggressive fiscal reform, including the creation of a "Department of County Efficiency (DOCE)" to audit county contracts and eliminate bureaucratic bloat.

Supports the elimination of the Department of Administration

- Supports balanced budgets, increased funding for public safety, and addressing homelessness.
- Advocates for the removal of property tax burdens from senior citizens and veterans.
- Advocates for aggressive fiscal reform, including the creation of a "Department of County Efficiency (DOCE)" to audit county contracts and eliminate bureaucratic bloat.
- Supports the elimination of the Department of Administration

Supports placing a a cap on county employee salaries.

- Supports placing a a cap on county employee salaries.

Emphasizes balanced budgets, increased funding for the sheriff’s department, and addressing homelessness as part of a public safety platform.

Advocates for increased funding for the Harris County Sheriff's Department.

Believes that hiring for county positions should be strictly merit-based and opposes policies centered on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI).

Advocates for canceling burglar alarm fees for residents and commercial property.

- Advocates for increased funding for the Harris County Sheriff's Department.
- Believes that hiring for county positions should be strictly merit-based and opposes policies centered on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI).
- Advocates for canceling burglar alarm fees for residents and commercial property.

Proposes creating a "pot-hole wall of shame" to hold county officials accountable for the quality and speed of road maintenance.

- Proposes creating a "pot-hole wall of shame" to hold county officials accountable for the quality and speed of road maintenance.

Supports partnerships with other states to provide long-term support for individuals struggling with addiction or mental illness.

- Supports partnerships with other states to provide long-term support for individuals struggling with addiction or mental illness.

Supports a long-term infrastructure plan that prioritizes flood mitigation and the repair of county roads and bridges.

Critical of the rapid expansion of high-energy-demand facilities, such as data centers and cryptocurrency mining operations, citing their potential impact on the reliability of the electrical grid.

- Supports a long-term infrastructure plan that prioritizes flood mitigation and the repair of county roads and bridges.
- Critical of the rapid expansion of high-energy-demand facilities, such as data centers and cryptocurrency mining operations, citing their potential impact on the reliability of the electrical grid.

Warren A. Howell

Warren Howell is from Harris County, Texas. He is married to his wife, Dr. Paula Howell. He has lived in the Shadow Oaks neighborhood of Spring Branch for over 40 years.

Warren is the president and owner of Employers Risk Insurance. He previously worked as a partner at Beckner-Howell Building Corp. and led a local manufacturing company that produced roofing products. He is an Air Force veteran.

Warren previously ran for Harris County judge in 2022 but did not win. He is running again in 2026.

Warren Howell is from Harris County, Texas. He is an Air Force veteran. He has lived in Spring Branch for over 40 years. He and his wife, Dr. Paula Howell, have been married for more than 40 years.

Warren previously ran for Harris County judge in 2022 but did not win. 

Warren Howell is from Harris County, Texas. He is married to his wife, Dr. Paula Howell. He has lived in the Spring Branch neighborhood for over 40 years. 

- Presides over commissioners court, county’s policy-making body. Helps adopt county budget, sets county tax rates, oversees building and maintaining county infrastructure, and other county government operations.
- Serves as judge of county court, taking on misdemeanor criminal and small civil cases, probate matters, and appeals from the justice of the peace court.
- Performs administration duties, ranging from hearings for beer and wine license applications to calling elections. Can serve as budget officer in counties with a smaller population.
- Serves as county’s emergency management director, with authority to designate an assistant to emergency management issues as emergency management coordinator.
- Represents county at ceremonial occasions and on various boards and committees, including Election Commission, Workforce Governing Board, and Bail Bond Board.
- County Judges are elected in a partisan, county-wide election to a four-year term. Candidates must be a U.S. citizen, at least 18 years old, have been a Texas resident for at least 12 consecutive months, a county resident for at least six consecutive months, and registered to vote in that county.
- The annual salary for county judges range from $47,425 to $198,921, set by the county’s commissioners court.

Leads your county’s policy-making board.

Harris County Judge, Republican Primary

Election results

Runoff election

Candidates (6)

Compare candidates