Democrat Letitia Plummer defeated Republican Orlando Sanchez in Tuesday's election for Harris County judge, according to unofficial returns. The returns showed Plummer with about 62 percent of the vote to Sanchez's 38 percent. Sanchez conceded Tuesday evening. Plummer will succeed Lina Hidalgo, who did not seek a third term. Her win keeps the county's highest elected office under Democratic control and marks the first time since 1958 that a Democrat has succeeded another Democrat in the post. Plummer will also be the county's first Muslim county judge.
Plummer is a dentist and a former Houston City Council member who represented At-Large Position 4 from 2020 through 2025. She won her party's nomination in May, defeating former Houston Mayor Annise Parker in a runoff. Her campaign focused on expanding public healthcare, improving flood control, supporting small businesses and public safety.
The candidates disagreed on several issues. Plummer defended the Harris County Immigrant Legal Services Fund, while Sanchez said the county should prioritize other spending and rely on nonprofit or free legal services. On the Harris County Jail, Sanchez proposed a new facility at another location, and Plummer supported rebuilding at the existing site. Sanchez, a former Houston City Council member and Harris County treasurer, campaigned on reducing spending and addressing property taxes.