Harris County Judge Race Set for November as Letitia Plummer and Orlando Sanchez Secure Party Nominations
As Harris County heads toward the November 3, 2026 General Election, voters across Houston and surrounding communities are beginning to focus on a race that could shape the county’s direction on public safety, flood resilience, taxes, infrastructure, healthcare access and disaster preparedness for years to come.
Following the recent primary elections, Dr. Letitia Plummer secured the Democratic nomination for Harris County Judge, while former Harris County Treasurer Orlando Sanchez won the Republican nomination. The two candidates will now advance to the general election in a contest that is expected to draw significant attention across the region.
The Harris County Judge position serves as the presiding officer of Commissioners Court and plays a major role in emergency management, budgeting, county infrastructure, public health initiatives and disaster response coordination — responsibilities that have become especially important for residents following repeated flooding events, severe weather disasters and continued population growth across Greater Houston.
According to unofficial primary election results from the Harris County Clerk’s Office Elections Department, Plummer narrowly defeated former Houston City Council Member Annise Parker in the Democratic runoff. Plummer received 57,755 votes, or 51.13%, while Parker received 55,213 votes, or 48.87%, with 112,968 total votes cast in the race.
On the Republican side, Sanchez defeated Warren A. Howell with 85,132 votes, or 63.33%, compared to Howell’s 49,288 votes, or 36.67%. A total of 134,420 votes were cast in the Republican Harris County Judge primary contest.
The results set up a November matchup between two longtime Houston-area public figures with different governing priorities and visions for Harris County’s future.
Plummer Advances After Competitive Democratic Runoff
In a statement following her victory, Plummer thanked volunteers, supporters and voters while emphasizing themes of public safety, opportunity and countywide investment.
“The people of Harris County made their voices heard, and together, we made history,” Plummer said. “This campaign has always been about the people. It has been about neighborhoods too often overlooked, working families fighting to stay afloat, small businesses trying to grow, and communities demanding leadership that listens and delivers.”
Plummer currently serves as Houston City Council At-Large Position 4 and previously announced her candidacy in July 2025. A native Houstonian and practicing dentist, she has built much of her public platform around emergency preparedness, affordability, healthcare access and public safety.
Her campaign has highlighted her work on disaster resilience initiatives, food insecurity programs, environmental health advocacy and mental health response programs during her time on Houston City Council.
Among her proposals for Harris County are expanded flood mitigation efforts, additional support for first-time homebuyers, countywide healthcare partnerships, mental health response investments and expanded disaster education programs in multiple languages.
Plummer has also emphasized her family’s long-standing ties to public service in Texas. Her grandfather was the first African-American judge in Texas and helped desegregate the Harris County cafeteria system, while other family members served in education and healthcare roles throughout the Houston area.
During her campaign launch last year, Plummer said Harris County needed leadership prepared to respond quickly during times of crisis.
“These are uncertain and turbulent times, calling on a new kind of leadership that is tough and fair,” Plummer said during her 2025 campaign announcement. “Harris County policy should be decided here, by our people, and not politicians in Austin or Washington.”
Sanchez Wins Republican Nomination
Sanchez, a former Houston City Council member and former Harris County Treasurer, emerged from the Republican primary with a decisive margin and now moves into the general election campaign focused on public safety, tax relief and government spending.
In a statement after the primary, Sanchez thanked supporters and pledged to continue campaigning across the county ahead of November.
“I am deeply humbled and honored to have won the Republican nomination for Harris County Judge,” Sanchez said. “I promise to fight every day for safer streets, better services, and a Harris County that works for all of us.”
Sanchez immigrated to Houston from Cuba as a child with his family after fleeing communist oppression. He graduated from Bellaire High School and the University of Houston and served in both the United States Air Force and the Texas Air National Guard.
His public service background includes six years on Houston City Council and 12 years as Harris County Treasurer, where he frequently focused on county transparency and financial management.
Sanchez’s campaign platform centers on reducing property tax burdens, strengthening public safety measures, improving flood planning and restoring what he describes as fiscal discipline within county government.
His campaign has also emphasized regional disaster coordination and flood recovery planning following storms such as Hurricane Harvey and Hurricane Beryl, particularly for vulnerable communities throughout Harris County.
Why the Harris County Judge Race Matters to Residents
For many Harris County residents, the county judge race extends well beyond politics. Decisions made by the office can directly affect flood mitigation projects, emergency response coordination, county taxes, road and infrastructure investments, jail operations and public health initiatives.
The county judge also serves as the county’s emergency management director during disasters — a role that becomes especially visible during hurricanes, freezes and major weather emergencies affecting Houston-area neighborhoods.
With Harris County continuing to grow rapidly, the upcoming election is expected to generate conversations around affordability, transportation infrastructure, emergency preparedness and how county resources are distributed across urban, suburban and historically underserved communities.
Residents preparing for the November election can already begin reviewing important voting dates released by the Harris County Clerk’s Office Elections Department.
Key Harris County Election Dates for November 2026
The Harris County Clerk’s Office announced that Early Vote Centers for the November 3, 2026 General and Special Elections will operate from Monday, October 19 through Friday, October 30.
Early voting hours will run:
- Monday through Saturday: 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
- Sunday: Noon to 7 p.m.
The deadline to apply for a mail ballot is October 23, 2026.
On Election Day, November 3, Vote Centers across Harris County will accept voters from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
The Harris County Clerk’s Office also encourages residents to use the “What’s on my Ballot?” tool to review eligible contests and candidates before voting. Voters may bring handwritten notes or printed sample ballots into the voting booth as long as they take them when leaving.
What Happens Next
With the primary season now complete, both campaigns are expected to intensify outreach efforts throughout Houston, Cypress, Katy, Spring, Pasadena, Baytown, Kingwood, and other parts of Harris County ahead of the fall election.
The Harris County Judge race is likely to remain one of the most closely watched local contests in Texas, particularly as residents continue weighing concerns tied to public safety, disaster response, flood infrastructure, taxes and long-term county growth.
As the November election approaches, many voters will be watching closely to see how each candidate connects their plans to the everyday concerns facing Harris County families and neighborhoods.
Stay tuned to My Neighborhood News for continuing coverage of the 2026 Harris County elections, voting information and community updates across Greater Houston.
Tiffany Krenek has been on the My Neighborhood News team since August 2021. She is passionate about curating and sharing content that enriches the lives of our readers in a personal, meaningful way. A loving mother and wife, Tiffany and her family live in the West Houston/Cypress region.
