A Historic Latina Leader in Harris County Seeks a 2nd Term as Justice of the Peace for Precinct 2, Place 2
BY INDIRA ZALDIVAR & EDWARD SAENZ
Judge Dolores Lozano is once again asking Harris County voters for their support as she seeks re-election as Justice of the Peace for Precinct 2, Place 2.
First elected in 2022, Lozano made history as the first Latina, the first woman, and the youngest woman ever elected to the position in Harris County.
Now, as her name appears on the March 3, 2026 primary ballot, Lozano says her campaign is about continuing the work she started—making the justice system more accessible, compassionate, and community-centered.
Rooted in Community and Service
Lozano describes herself as “the proud daughter of a union carpenter and a Harris County police officer,” parents who, she said, “fostered all the resources they had to ensure that I had a better life.”
She was the first in her family to graduate from college and returned to Houston shortly after to give back to the community that raised her.
“When I took office in 2023, I made a commitment to make the courtroom more convenient, compassionate, and community-centered,” Lozano said. “And I’m proud to share that we’ve delivered on that commitment.”
Accomplishments From Her First Term
One of Lozano’s most notable achievements has been the launch of an eviction diversion initiative in her court. The program has received multiple accolades, including a Best Practices Award from the Texas Association of Counties—the first time a Harris County Justice of the Peace has received the honor.
“We’ve been able to help families with over half a million dollars in assistance,” Lozano said. “Awards are great, but what matters most to me are the stories.”
She pointed to single mothers on the brink of eviction and abuelas caring for their grandchildren who were able to stabilize their housing through the program.
In addition, Lozano helped bring a free legal kiosk to her courthouse in Pasadena, allowing residents to connect with an attorney within minutes.
“It’s the number one traffic kiosk in the state of Texas,” she said.
“I attribute that to my team and to us being out in the community and making sure people know there are resources available.”
Expanding Access and Education
Accessibility has been a cornerstone of Lozano’s judicial philosophy, both inside and outside the courtroom. Her court operates bilingually, with translations available in English and Spanish and interpreters present at all dockets upon request.
“The courtroom is very intimidating,” Lozano said. “I noticed very quickly the importance of accessibility.”
Beyond the courthouse, Lozano has prioritized fully translated community education to address issues she regularly sees on the bench, particularly disputes involving property and estate matters.
“What I see in my courtroom time and time again is family members fighting over property, but no one really has true ownership of the estate,” she said.
Historic Jacinto City Legal Workshop
That commitment was underscored in January 2026 when Lozano hosted Harris County’s first fully translated and interpreted family legal workshop in Jacinto City alongside county and judicial partners.
The free event provided multilingual guidance on probate, property ownership, and estate planning tools such as small estate affidavits and Transfer on Death Deeds (TODDs).
“No one should be prevented from understanding their rights and responsibilities because of language,” Lozano said.
The workshop addressed common challenges including frozen bank accounts and unclear property titles, and helped families take proactive steps to protect their homes and generational wealth.
Why She Ran—and Why She’s Running Again
Lozano said her decision to run for office was shaped during the COVID-19 pandemic, a time when she was deeply involved in protests, coalitions, and public meetings.
“I noticed specifically in this seat, the previous judge had been sitting there for 36 years,” she said.
“That was longer than I had ever been alive. I knew it was time for a change.”
She ran her first campaign using her personal savings, with her husband serving as campaign manager. The experience, she said, taught her resilience—one word she uses to describe her first term.
“Being the youngest woman ever elected, being the first Latina in the seat, there were challenges,” Lozano said. “But through everything that hit me in my first year, I was still able to continue to rise.”
A Vision for a Second Term
Looking ahead, Lozano says her priority is expanding the eviction diversion initiative countywide and continuing partnerships with Harris County Commissioners Court.
“My goal in this next term is to expand it throughout all the courts in Harris County,” she said, noting the recent approval of $1 million to launch the Houston Eviction Advocacy Center, which provides free legal aid to tenants regardless of immigration status.
She also hopes to address what she sees as an imbalance in case distribution across justice courts.
“Justice delayed is justice denied,” Lozano said. She emphasized the importance of continued coordination to address disparities in caseloads.
Representation, Motherhood, and the Future
Lozano emphasized the importance of representation, especially for Latinas navigating the legal system.
“Having a friendly face, a Latina, somebody that’s always in the community is really comforting,” she said.
Recently becoming a mother has also shaped her perspective. Lozano worked alongside Harris County Precinct 4 Commissioner Lesley Briones to establish maternity leave for herself—the first time a sitting Harris County judge had been pregnant in office.
“Everything I do now is through a mother’s lens,” she said. “Everything I do is for my son, Xavi.”
Encouraging the Next Generation
A first-generation college graduate, Lozano is a strong advocate for education and civic engagement serving as assistant Secretary on the KIPP Texas Board of Directors and has been selected for leadership programs including the Aspen Ideas Festival, Management Leadership for Tomorrow, Latinos for Education, HTXelerator, and New Leaders Council.
She also is an active member of the Junior League of Houston focusing her volunteer efforts at the Houston Food Bank.
Lozano encourages young people interested in public service to start by getting involved locally.
“Go to city council meetings, commissioners court, do your research,” she said. “Email us. DM us. I’m 100% available to share my journey.”
Broad Coalition of Endorsements
As she campaigns for a second term, Lozano has garnered widespread support from labor, progressive, and advocacy organizations, as well as dozens of elected officials across all levels of government.
She has been endorsed by the Texas Gulf Coast Area Labor Federation AFL-CIO, Bay Area Democratic Movement, Area 5 Democrats, Houston Black American Democrats, Houston LGBTQ+ Political Caucus, Run For Something, Latino PAC, the Latino Labor Leadership Council, the Houston Progressive Caucus, and Run Sister Run, along with more than 30 elected officials at the federal, state, county, and local levels.
Notable endorsers include U.S. Rep. Al Green; former U.S. Rep. Erica Lee Carter; Harris County Commissioners Rodney Ellis, Adrian Garcia, and Lesley Briones; Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo; District Attorney Sean Teare; Sheriff Ed Gonzalez; State Sen. Molly Cook; State Reps. Harold Dutton and Ron Reynolds; and Houston City Councilmembers Letitia Plummer, Carolyn Evans-Shabazz, and Joaquin Martinez, among many others throughout Harris County and the greater Houston region.
Election Information and Final Message
Early voting runs from February 17 through February 27, with Election Day set for March 3, 2026. Lozano urges voters to bring their families and make their voices heard.
“To everyone at Que Onda,” Lozano said in closing, “continue following your dreams. No dream is too small or too big. Keep going, keep pushing. Sí se puede.”
For more stories on prominent Latino and Hispanic leaders in Houston like Judge Dolores Lozano, stay tuned to Que Onda Magazine.