HOUSTON – With no candidate in the Harris County judge primary clearing the 50% threshold, both parties are now headed to runoff elections in May.
On the Democratic side, former Houston Mayor Annise Parker and former Houston council member, Letitia Plummer advanced.
Parker has campaigned on her experience in city and county government, saying leaders need better coordination and management.
Annise Parker said, “What’s gone wrong is there’s no communication, no coordination — there’s a lack of professionalism. And I really want to focus on let’s come around an agenda for Harris County.”
Plummer has emphasized public health, affordability and disaster resilience — saying the county needs to improve quality of life for residents.
Letitia Plummer said, “The work that I did with the city focused on quality of life issues. It focused on affordability. It focused on allowing people to live and thrive in an equitable way. The county needs the same thing.”
On the Republican side, Orlando Sanchez and Warren Howell moved forward from a crowded primary field.
Sanchez has focused his campaign on public safety, tax reduction and election security. He points to his previous service as Harris County treasurer and as a probation officer.
Orlando Sanchez said, “With my years of service not only in the city of Houston but having served as the Harris County treasurer, I’m the only one that’s ever voted to cut property taxes. I served as a Harris County probation officer with two felony courts, two misdemeanor courts.”
Howell, an Air Force veteran, has pushed for a smaller and more efficient county government with an emphasis on accountability and audits.
Warren Howell said, “What we want to do is create a smaller, more efficient government — one that gives taxpayers what they’re paying their taxes for. And right now the Harris County government is on the wrong track.”
Early voting for the runoff begins this spring, with Election Day in May.
Candidates will spend the coming weeks working to consolidate support before voters decide the final matchups.