Chronicle Hosts Jan. 29 Virtual Conversation with Harris County Judge Candidates

The Houston Chronicle will host a private Zoom conversation on Jan. 29 featuring Annise Parker and Letitia Plummer, the two leading Democratic contenders to replace Lina Hidalgo as Harris County Judge. The event, announced in an event listing dated Jan. 20, 2026, invites Chronicle readers to register and promises to focus on county infrastructure, healthcare, criminal justice, flood control and the responsibilities of the county judge presiding over Commissioners Court.

Annise Parker is presented in the Chronicle listing as the former mayor of Houston with prior service as city controller and a city council member. Parker brings a record on infrastructure projects and climate preparedness to the debate for a role that often intersects with storm response and long-term resilience planning. Letitia Plummer is identified as a dentist and a recent at-large member of Houston City Council, with campaign priorities that include expanding Harris Health, bolstering youth mental health programs and strengthening family services addressing addiction and mental health.

The conversation will be moderated by the Chronicle’s Harris County government reporter and conducted via private Zoom for registered readers. The paper said topics will include the day-to-day responsibilities of the county judge presiding over Commissioners Court - a role that shapes county budgeting, emergency response coordination and oversight of county services - as well as specific policy areas such as flood mitigation and public health delivery through Harris Health.

Harris County residents have a direct stake in the discussion. Decisions by the county judge and Commissioners Court affect flood-control projects that protect neighborhoods across the county, influence access to health services for uninsured and low-income residents, and guide criminal-justice policies that touch court services, detention operations and law enforcement oversight. Annise Parker’s municipal experience and Letitia Plummer’s recent citywide council service offer voters contrasting administrative backgrounds to weigh as the campaign advances.

The Chronicle’s event gives voters a chance to compare how each candidate would prioritize county resources and coordinate with state and federal partners on disaster response and public-health programs. Registration information is available through the Chronicle for readers who wish to attend the private Zoom.

As the campaign to succeed Lina Hidalgo moves forward, the Jan. 29 conversation will be an early opportunity for Harris County voters to hear detailed proposals from two prominent Democratic contenders and to assess how those proposals might translate into policy at Commissioners Court.