Democrat Letitia Plummer defeated Republican Orlando Sanchez in Tuesday’s election for Harris County judge, keeping the county’s highest elected office under Democratic control.
Unofficial election returns showed Plummer receiving approximately 62 percent of the vote compared to Sanchez’s 38 percent. Sanchez conceded the race Tuesday evening, clearing the way for Plummer to succeed outgoing County Judge Lina Hidalgo, who did not seek a third term.
Plummer will become the first Muslim to serve as Harris County judge. Her election also marks the first time since 1958 that a Democrat has succeeded another Democrat in the position.
A dentist and former Houston City Council member, Plummer represented At-Large Position 4 from 2020 through 2025. She owns a dental practice with locations in Houston and Pearland and has operated her business for more than two decades. Plummer previously sought the Democrat nomination for Texas’ 22nd Congressional District in 2018 before winning her first City Council election the following year.
She secured her party’s nomination for county judge in May after defeating former Houston Mayor Annise Parker in a runoff election.
Throughout her campaign, Plummer emphasized expanding public healthcare services, improving flood control infrastructure, supporting small businesses and addressing public safety. Her proposals include expanding the Harris Health System, accelerating flood mitigation projects, updating county flood maps, and establishing additional mental health partnerships with local schools.
Plummer has also advocated for limiting the county’s cooperation with federal immigration enforcement beyond what state and federal law require. During a recent candidate debate, she defended the Harris County Immigrant Legal Services Fund, which provides taxpayer-funded legal assistance to immigrants facing deportation.
Sanchez opposed continuing the program, arguing that the county should prioritize other spending needs and rely on nonprofit organizations or attorneys providing services without charge.
The candidates also disagreed over how to address conditions at the Harris County Jail. Sanchez proposed constructing a new jail facility at another location, while Plummer supported rebuilding at the existing site and reducing the county’s reliance on housing inmates in out-of-state facilities.
Plummer has additionally called for stronger restrictions on the county’s use of automatic license plate reader technology, including limits on data retention and information sharing with outside agencies.
Sanchez, a former Houston City Council member and Harris County treasurer, campaigned on reducing government spending, addressing property taxes, improving infrastructure and prioritizing public safety. The election followed Hidalgo’s decision not to seek reelection after two terms in office. Hidalgo first won the position in 2018, defeating Republican incumbent Ed Emmett, and subsequently secured reelection in 2022.
Democrats also retained their majority on Harris County Commissioners Court, with incumbents Adrian Garcia and Lesley Briones winning re-election. Garcia defeated Republican Richard Vega in Precinct 2, while Briones defeated former Republican Commissioner Steve Radack in Precinct 4. Their victories preserve the court’s 4-1 Democrat majority.
Other countywide Democrat candidates, including County Clerk Teneshia Hudspeth, County Attorney Abbie Kamin and Treasurer Carla Wyatt, also led their Republican opponents by substantial margins in unofficial returns.
Outside Harris County, Democrats won the county judge race in neighboring Fort Bend County, where Dexter McCoy defeated Republican Daniel Wong with approximately 60 percent of the vote.
Republicans secured victories in Montgomery and Galveston counties. Montgomery County Judge Mark Keough defeated Democrat James Graf, while Galveston County Judge Mark Henry defeated Democrat Albert Al Smith by approximately 57 percent to 43 percent.
In Brazoria County, Republican Rob Giesecke held a lead over Democrat Eugene Howard and independent Lucinda Henry in the county judge contest, although the available results remained incomplete.
The new county judges will take office in January 2027, overseeing county budgets, infrastructure, emergency management and other local government operations.
