Letitia Plummer Wins Harris County Judge Race
The former Houston City Council member defeated Orlando Sanchez in the November 3 midterms to become the first Black woman and first Muslim to hold the office.
By Andrew Kovalenko ·
Letitia Plummer became the first Black woman to serve as Harris County judge following the November 3, 2026, midterm elections. She defeated Republican opponent Orlando Sanchez in a contest for the leadership of Texas' most populous county. Unofficial results reported by KPRC 2 showed Plummer securing approximately 813,708 votes, which accounted for 61% of the total. Sanchez received 521,501 votes, or 39%, and conceded the race on Tuesday evening.
Plummer's victory marks a shift in local leadership succession. It is the first time since 1958 that a Democrat will succeed another Democrat in this role. The election also made Plummer the first Muslim elected to the position. Her path to the general election required winning the Democratic nomination in a close runoff against former Houston Mayor Annise Parker.
The new judge will succeed Lina Hidalgo, who served eight years in the office before deciding not to seek a third term. Hidalgo's departure opened the seat for the recent contest. Plummer brings a background in public service and healthcare to the role. She served on the Houston City Council, where she was first elected in 2019, and works as a dentist.
During her time on the City Council, Plummer focused on affordable housing, public safety, and community development. Her campaign for county judge centered on improving local services and strengthening infrastructure. These priorities addressed the specific needs of residents in Harris County. The race concluded with Plummer's lead over Sanchez, clearing the way for her inauguration.
The result stands as a historic moment for representation in local government. Plummer's election follows a campaign that emphasized direct improvements to county operations. The transition of power will see the end of Hidalgo's eight-year tenure and the start of Plummer's term. The unofficial vote counts from KPRC 2 provide the current snapshot of the outcome.
