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HOUSTON - Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo will not be running for reelection once her second term is over.
FOX 26 reached out to her office on Monday, who confirmed that the Democratic leader would not be seeking a third term.
Judge Hidalgo not seeking third term
The backstory:
Hidalgo has served two terms as county judge – first winning election in 2018 and reelection in 2022.
She was the first woman to be elected to the position to lead the most populous county in Texas.
What they're saying:
Judge Hidalgo gave this statement Tuesday morning:
It’s been an incredible honor to serve as your County Judge.
When I first ran for office, I promised I would not serve more than two terms. Although this decision has been difficult, I want to share with you that I intend to keep that promise, and I will not seek re-election for a third term as Harris County Judge. While I am so proud of the progress that we’ve achieved together, Harris County deserves a fresh perspective to continue building on the progress that we’ve started.
Together, we’ve faced historic floods, massive chemical fires, a pandemic and countless other challenges. Through it all, we’ve built a stronger, fairer Harris County. We’ve expanded access to early childhood education, invested more in public safety than ever before, and made historic progress in reducing homelessness. You can find more information about our accomplishments here.
Our work is not done, and I will continue to serve Harris County with the same energy, integrity, and love for this community that I’ve had since day one.
Thank you for putting your trust in me. It’s been, and continues to be, an honor to represent our community.
2026 election
What's next:
Harris County residents will elect a new county judge in 2026.
Among those who have already announced their campaigns are Marty Lancton, Orlando Sanchez, Annise Parker, Letitia Plummer, Aliza Dutt and Warren Howell. Erica Lee Carter previously said that she was "seriously considering" running for the office if Hidalgo did not seek a third term.
The Source: The information in this article comes from Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo's Office and previous FOX 26 reporting.