Sanchez, Howell Advance to May 26 GOP Runoff for Harris County Judge

Orlando Sanchez and Warren A. Howell emerged as the top two finishers in the Republican primary for Harris County judge, sending the contest to a May 26 GOP runoff after no candidate captured a majority. The Harris County Clerk’s Office tallies show Sanchez with 47,397 votes (26.46%) and Howell with 37,242 votes (20.79%).

The clerk’s office released complete but unofficial results Wednesday morning; local broadcasters reported the count as 100% of precincts reported. Sanchez led a six-candidate GOP field, while Howell narrowly outpaced Marty Lancton by just 381 votes — 37,242 to 36,861 — a margin Que Onda Magazine characterized as “less than 1,000 votes separate second and third place.”

Lancton, president of the Houston Professional Fire Fighters Association and an early frontrunner in some polls, carried an endorsement from Gov. Greg Abbott but finished third. Houston Public Media published photos of Lancton speaking at an election watch party on March 3, and outlets noted his strong name recognition failed to translate into a runoff berth.

Sanchez is a 68-year-old U.S. Air Force veteran and Cuban immigrant who previously served as Harris County treasurer for 12 years. Sources describe his municipal record differently: Houston Public Media reports he served as an at-large Houston City Council member from 1996 through 2000, while Houston Press and KHOU describe him as having served seven years on city council. Sanchez was photographed at Picos in Upper Kirby on March 3 as returns came in.

Howell is an Air Force veteran and insurance businessman who is listed as president and owner of Employers Risk Insurance and as president of the Shadow Oaks Civic Association in Spring Branch. Local outlets framed Howell as a civic leader and business owner whose narrow second-place finish advanced him to the GOP runoff.

On the Democratic side, former Houston mayor Annise Parker topped her primary with 46.62% of the vote but fell short of the 50% threshold, setting up a May 26 runoff with Letitia Plummer, who received 37.29%. Houston Press quoted Parker saying she “had hoped to avoid a runoff but she’s ready to continue the campaign and restock her war chest.” Plummer, a former Houston City Council at-large member who leads Maxwello Dental in Pearland, entered the runoff with endorsements from the Harris County Young Democrats, Lone Star Left and the Houston Progressive Caucus and campaigned on expanding public health capacity, investing in flood control, supporting small businesses and strengthening environmental standards.

The open seat was vacated when Lina Hidalgo opted not to seek a third term; Democrats have held the Harris County judge’s office since 2018. The position presides over Commissioners Court, oversees a roughly $4 billion county budget, pays about $191,000 a year and carries a four-year term, making the May runoffs consequential for emergency management, infrastructure and flood-control policy in the nation’s third-largest county.

Both parties’ runoffs are scheduled for May 26, with the winners to advance to the November 2026 general election. The Harris County Elections Department will eventually certify final tallies.