Annise Parker, Orlando Sanchez lead in Harris County judge primary

Former mayor and Republican candidate top their respective tickets in new poll

Published on Feb. 19, 2026

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

According to a University of Houston Hobby School of Public Affairs poll, former Houston Mayor Annise Parker, a Democrat, and Republican Orlando Sanchez are leading their parties' primaries for Harris County judge. The poll found Parker holding a 21-point lead over former City Council Member Letitia Plummer among likely Democratic voters, while Sanchez led fellow Republican Patrick 'Marty' Lancton by 11 points.

Why it matters

The race for Harris County judge is a key contest in the 2026 elections, with the winner overseeing the county's government and operations. Parker's lead among Democrats suggests her experience and name recognition may give her an advantage, while Sanchez's stronger position among Republicans points to the importance of name ID in a crowded primary field.

The details

The poll surveyed 2,000 Republicans and 2,000 Democrats over one week in early February. It found that while Parker and Sanchez were leading their primaries, uncertainty remained high, with over half of Republicans and nearly a quarter of Democrats saying they were undecided. Lancton raised the most of any Republican candidate, but Sanchez's higher name recognition appeared to boost his campaign. Both Parker and Plummer saw increased favorability among Democrats compared to a previous 2025 poll.

  • Early voting began on February 17, 2026 and runs through February 27.
  • Election day is March 3, 2026, with runoffs scheduled for late May if no candidate secures over 50% of the vote.

The players

Annise Parker

A Democrat and former mayor of Houston who is leading the primary for Harris County judge.

Orlando Sanchez

A Republican candidate who is leading the primary for Harris County judge.

Letitia Plummer

A Democratic candidate for Harris County judge and former Houston City Council member.

Patrick 'Marty' Lancton

A Republican candidate for Harris County judge.

Renée Cross

A researcher and senior executive director at the University of Houston Hobby School of Public Affairs, which conducted the poll.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“Parker hasn't held elective office in more than a decade, but her years as an at-large City Council member, city controller and mayor, and her work in advocacy politics before and after she left office, cemented her reputation among Democratic voters.”

— Renée Cross, Researcher and senior executive director, University of Houston Hobby School of Public Affairs (Houston Chronicle)

“We found that voters who are familiar with Plummer have favorable views, but slightly more than half said they don't know enough about her to have an opinion.”

— Renée Cross, Researcher and senior executive director, University of Houston Hobby School of Public Affairs (Houston Chronicle)

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Walker Reed Quinn out on bail.

The takeaway

This race highlights the continued influence of experienced political figures like Annise Parker, as well as the challenges faced by lesser-known candidates in breaking through with voters. The high levels of undecided voters in both primaries also suggest the contest remains fluid heading into the final stretch.