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

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.

Alejandra Gracias

Buket Urgen

Walter Ley

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

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

Judicial Administration

Judicial Philosophy

Letitia Plummer received a bachelor's degree in biology and a Doctor of Dental Surgery degree from the Baylor College of Dentistry. She is a mother of three.

Letitia has owned her own dental practice for more than 25 years.

Letitia Plummer was elected in 2020 and served as an At-Large member of the Houston City Council representing Position 4 until 2025.

Houston City Council member Letitia Plummer announces run for ...

Plummer launches campaign for Lina Hidalgo's county judge seat

Houston Council Member Letitia Plummer enters race for Harris ...

EVENT: Annise Parker and Letitia Plummer face off in Harris County ...

Letitia was elected in 2020 and served as an at-large member of the Houston city council representing Position 4 until 2025, when she resigned.

For Candidate Letitia Plummer on Issue economy:  
Supports creating business incubators and co-working spaces.

Supports the creation of business incubators and co-working spaces.

For Candidate Letitia Plummer on Issue economy: Plans to expand access to capital and increase opportunities for small businesses to compete for county contracts.

Plans to expand access to capital and increase opportunities for small businesses to compete for county contracts.

Supports building community college and apprenticeship programs.

Believes in building community college and apprenticeship programs.

Supports investing in innovation hubs and the green economy.

Wants to invest in innovation hubs and the "green economy."

For Candidate Letitia Plummer on Issue economy:  
Plans to review county fee structures to support entrepreneurs.

Promises to review county fee structures to "support entrepreneurs."

- Supports the creation of business incubators and co-working spaces.
- Plans to expand access to capital and increase opportunities for small businesses to compete for county contracts.
- Believes in building community college and apprenticeship programs.
- Wants to invest in innovation hubs and the "green economy."
- Promises to review county fee structures to "support entrepreneurs."

Supports upgrading libraries, emergency services, and cybersecurity.

Supports "upgrading" libraries, emergency services, and cybersecurity.

Supports launching low-cost internet programs for seniors and low-income families.

Believes in launching "low-cost internet programs" for seniors and low-income families.

Supports regional coordination on watershed and infrastructure issues.

- Supports "upgrading" libraries, emergency services, and cybersecurity.
- Believes in launching "low-cost internet programs" for seniors and low-income families.
- Supports regional coordination on watershed and infrastructure issues.

Concerned about the Houston Police Department's "collaboration" with the Immigration and Customs Enforcement Agency.

- Concerned about the Houston Police Department's "collaboration" with the Immigration and Customs Enforcement Agency.

Promises to expand broadband access in "underserved areas."

- Promises to expand broadband access in "underserved areas."

Wants to expand and improve the Harris Health System.

Wants to "expand and improve" the Harris Health System.

Wants to launch youth mental health partnerships with schools.

Seeks to launch youth mental health partnerships with schools.

For Candidate Letitia Plummer on Issue public health:  
Supports creating family support programs for addiction and mental health.

Supports creating family support programs for addiction and mental health.

Supports countywide health education focused on chronic illness and prevention.

Wants countywide health education focused on chronic illness and prevention.

Supports protecting families through stronger environmental health standards.

Supports "protecting families through stronger environmental health standards."

- Wants to "expand and improve" the Harris Health System.
- Seeks to launch youth mental health partnerships with schools.
- Supports creating family support programs for addiction and mental health.
- Wants countywide health education focused on chronic illness and prevention.
- Supports "protecting families through stronger environmental health standards."

Supports accelerating flood control projects and updating flood maps.

- Supports accelerating flood control projects and updating flood maps.

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Letitia Plummer

Letitia was elected in 2020 and served as an At-Large member of the Houston City Council representing Position 4 until 2025, when she resigned.

Letitia is an At-Large Houston City Council Member. She works at the City of Houston, where she has been for the past five years. She previously practiced dentistry in Houston.

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

Matt Salazar is from Lubbock and Hereford, Texas. He has a bachelor's degree in political science from the University of Houston.

Matt Salazar is from Lubbock and Hereford. He has a bachelor's degree in political science from the University of Houston.

Matt is a real estate agent. He previously worked as a missionary, youth pastor, father figure, and general contracting apprentice. He has also worked across nonprofits, government contracting, and consulting.

Matt currently works as the owner of Fastest Labs of Tomball, a drug, alcohol, and DNA testing company. He previously worked as a real estate agent for Magnolia Land & Lakes.

Matt Salazar is a real estate agent. He graduated from the University of Houston with a degree in Political Science.

Matt Salazar - Ballotpedia

Matt's campaign for Harris County judge is his first run for public office.

Plans to implement zero-based budgeting, which requires justifying every dollar spent, to increase transparency and accountability in government spending.

Supports apprenticeships and entrepreneurship.

Supports apprenticeships and entrepreneurship, saying "[economic] opportunity will no longer feel exclusive."

- Plans to implement zero-based budgeting, which requires justifying every dollar spent, to increase transparency and accountability in government spending.
- Supports apprenticeships and entrepreneurship, saying "[economic] opportunity will no longer feel exclusive."

Prioritizes transparency, accessible data, and community engagement.

- Prioritizes transparency, accessible data, and community engagement.

Supports "strong law enforcement, efficient courts, and accountability at every level."

- Supports "strong law enforcement, efficient courts, and accountability at every level."

Supports coordinating housing, transportation, and infrastructure to reduce congestion and support working families.

- Supports coordinating housing, transportation, and infrastructure to reduce congestion and support working families.

Matt Salazar

- Plans to implement zero-based budgeting, which requires justifying every dollar spent, to increase transparency and accountability in government spending.
- Supports apprenticeships and entrepreneurship, saying "[economic o]pportunity will no longer feel exclusive."

Matt is a real estate agent. He previously worked as a missionary, youth pastor, and general-contracting apprentice. He has also worked in government contracting, consulting, and small business ownership.

Matt Salazar's campaign for Harris County judge is his first time running for public office.

Plans to prioritize projects that aim to reduce risk countywide and provide protection for neighborhoods that have "waited too long."

- 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.

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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.

Harris County Judge, Democratic Primary

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