Four candidates seeking Harris County’s highest elected office met with voters Thursday evening at the University of Houston-Downtown. The Harris County Judge forum was co-organized by Que Onda Magazine, KHOU 11, the League of Women Voters of Houston and UHD.
The free public event gave residents an opportunity to compare the candidates before the Nov. 3 general election.
Four Candidates Join Harris County Judge Forum
The Oct. 1 forum featured Democratic nominee Dr. Letitia Plummer and Republican nominee Orlando Sanchez. Write-in candidates Vince Duncan and Marianne “Yan” Hess also participated.
KHOU 11 anchor Len Cannon moderated the discussion inside UHD’s Wilhelmina Cullen Robertson Auditorium. The program ran from 6 to 8:30 p.m.
Candidates addressed several responsibilities that fall under county government. Topics included public safety, taxes and spending, flooding, infrastructure, healthcare and emergency preparedness.
The discussion also covered economic opportunity and government accountability. These issues affect communities throughout Harris County, including residents in Houston and surrounding unincorporated areas.
Candidates Present Different Backgrounds
Plummer is a dentist, small-business owner and former Houston City Council member. She represented residents in the council’s At-Large Position 4.
Her campaign has emphasized healthcare access, affordability, emergency preparedness and economic opportunity. She has also identified public safety and support for small businesses as priorities.
Sanchez previously served nearly 12 years as Harris County treasurer. He also completed six years on Houston City Council and served in the U.S. Air Force and Texas Air National Guard.
His campaign has focused on fiscal policy, public safety and flood control. Sanchez immigrated to Houston from Cuba as a child and later graduated from the University of Houston.
Duncan is a businessman running as a declared write-in candidate. His campaign has emphasized government reform, fiscal issues and public safety.
Hess is also seeking the office as a write-in candidate. Her public messaging has focused on county spending, property taxes and government accountability.
Why the County Judge Race Matters
Despite the title, the Harris County judge does not preside over a traditional courtroom. The office leads the five-member Harris County Commissioners Court.
The county judge helps oversee the county budget, tax rate and major government operations. Those responsibilities include roads, bridges, parks, libraries, courts, the county jail and the Harris County Flood Control District.
The office also leads the county’s emergency management system. That role becomes especially important during hurricanes, floods, freezes and other major disasters.
The 2026 election will select a successor to Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo, who is not seeking reelection.
Que Onda and Partners Promote Voter Education
Que Onda Magazine helped organize the forum as part of its commitment to accessible community information and civic participation. The collaboration connected local media, higher education and nonpartisan voter outreach.
The League of Women Voters of Houston regularly organizes candidate forums and publishes election resources. The organization does not support or oppose political candidates or parties.
UHD provided a central downtown location for the event. KHOU 11 supported the program through moderation and video coverage.
Together, the participating organizations created a setting where candidates could speak directly to residents about the county’s future.
Key Harris County Voting Dates
The final day to register for the Nov. 3 election is Monday, Oct. 5. Early voting will run from Oct. 19 through Oct. 30.
Voters can review registration information, polling locations and sample ballots through Harris County election resources. The League of Women Voters of Houston also provides nonpartisan election information.
The forum encouraged residents to examine each candidate’s experience and proposals before voting. For Harris County communities, informed participation remains essential when choosing the next leader of county government.