Texas news, down to the facts.

Early voting is open through Oct. 30. Election Day is Nov. 3, 15 days away. Elections

Elections Updated October 14, 12:32 am

Poll shows Plummer leading Sanchez in Harris County judge race

A University of Houston Hobby School of Public Affairs poll found Democrat Letitia Plummer leading Republican Orlando Sanchez by 7 percentage points in the Harris County judge race. The survey of likely voters shows a majority of both parties oppose a recent property tax increase.

Where
Harris County
When
Oct. 13, 2026
Sources
Reported by 7 outlets

Counties: Harris

Taxes and money

Harris County voters opposed a property tax increase approved this year, with 72% disapproving according to the poll.

  • Property tax increase cost per resident$1981 Who pays or receives it: Harris County residents

Does this affect you?

Coming up

  • Tuesday, November 3, 2026. Harris County elections including judge and commissioner races (Harris County)2

Who's involved

  • Letitia PlummerDemocratic candidate for Harris County judge
  • Orlando SanchezRepublican candidate for Harris County judge
  • University of Houston Hobby School of Public AffairsConducted poll
  • Mark JonesRice University political scientist

The facts

  • Plummer led Sanchez 47% to 40% among surveyed likely voters, with 13% undecided.2
  • 2,750 likely voters were surveyed for the poll.2
  • The Harris County judge position has been held by a Democrat for the past seven years.1
  • Harris County commissioners approved a property tax increase of 7.6% this year.1
  • About 72% of surveyed likely county voters disapprove of the property tax increase.1
  • Current Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo announced last year she would not seek re-election.1
  • Nearly 50% of survey respondents do not know enough about the county judge candidates to have an opinion.1

Who said what

These are statements and claims made by the people involved. They are reported, not verified.

  • Sanchez Positioned himself as a fiscally conservative candidate campaigning on reducing property taxes.1
  • Mark Jones, Rice University political scientist Trump's declining approval ratings have dragged Republicans down in Harris County.2

How they headlined it

The same event, as each outlet put it. Marked words appear in only one outlet's headline.

  • Survey: Democratic candidate Letitia Plummer leads Orlando Sanchez by 7 points for Harris County judge seat

    Houston Public Media

  • Plummer leads Sanchez by 7 points in Harris County judge race, poll finds

    Houston Chronicle

  • UH Poll: Plummer Leads Sanchez in Harris County Judge Race

    Houston Style Magazine

  • New poll shows Plummer leading Harris County judge race

    Axios

  • Plummer, Sanchez to face off in Harris County judge debate

    Houston Chronicle

  • Letitia Plummer vs. Orlando Sanchez: Meet the candidates for Harris County judge

    Houston Chronicle

  • Plummer Faces Attendance Questions in Harris County Judge Race

    SuaraGarut.ID, Demokratis.co.id

  • Letitia Plummer's Attendance Raises Questions in Harris County Judge Race Against Orlando Sanchez

    SSBCrack

Sources

Outlets: 4 not rated Who's covering Texas →

These outlets were found through Google News headlines. Google decides which outlets appear there, and they lean mostly one way, so this sheet can only be as balanced as the reporting it was built from. Leanings are AllSides Media Bias Ratings.

  1. Survey: Democratic candidate Letitia Plummer leads Orlando Sanchez by 7 points for Harris County judge seat Houston Public Media Not rated, October 13, 2026
  2. Plummer leads Sanchez by 7 points in Harris County judge race, poll finds Houston Chronicle Not rated, October 13, 2026
  3. UH Poll: Plummer Leads Sanchez in Harris County Judge Race Houston Style Magazine Not rated, October 13, 2026
  4. New poll shows Plummer leading Harris County judge race Axios Not rated, October 13, 2026

Also reported by SuaraGarut.ID, SSBCrack, Demokratis.co.id, FOX 26 Houston.

This sheet was written by AI from the sources above and adds nothing they don't state. Read the originals for full context.

Spot an error on this sheet?

All corrections and updates

Keep reading

Bexar and Brazoria counties hold county judge races on November 3

Two Texas county judge races are scheduled for the Nov. 3 election. In Bexar County, Republican Patrick Von Dohlen is challenging Democrat Ron Nirenberg. In Brazoria County, Republican Rob Giesecke, independent Lucinda Henry and Democrat Eugene Howard are running to replace retiring County Judge Matt Sebesta.

Patrick Von Dohlen, Republican candidate for Bexar County judge; Ron Nirenberg, Democrat candidate for Bexar County judge; Rob Giesecke, Republican candidate for Brazoria County judge and 3 more

Reported by 2 outletsFound via Google News

Texas counties prepare election security measures ahead of early voting

County clerks and election administrators across Texas are implementing security procedures before early voting begins October 19. Travis County plans 201 voting locations on Election Day. Multiple counties conducted security training for poll workers.

Travis County Clerk Dyana Limon-Mercado, Travis County Clerk; Bexar County Elections Administrator Michele Carew, Bexar County Elections Administrator; Dallas County Elections Administrator Paul Adams, Dallas County Elections Administrator and 2 more

Reported by 2 outletsFound via Google News

Democratic and Republican Senate candidates report third-quarter campaign fundraising totals

Democratic and Republican candidates released third-quarter campaign fundraising reports for the 2026 midterm elections. Democrat James Talarico's Texas Senate campaign raised $60 million between July and September, while Republican Ken Paxton's campaign raised about $10 million in the same period. Elon Musk's super PAC has heavily backed Paxton's campaign.

$60 million for campaign funds raised, third quarter 2026

James Talarico, Democrat candidate for Texas Senate; Ken Paxton, Republican candidate for Texas Senate; Elon Musk, Tech billionaire and super PAC backer of Republican candidates

Reported by 6 outletsFound via Google News

Elon Musk donates $158 million to support Ken Paxton Senate campaign

Elon Musk donated $158 million to the Senate Leadership Fund in September 2026, which transferred the money to Texas PAC to finance advertising supporting Republican Ken Paxton in his Senate race against Democrat James Talarico.

$158 million for donation to Senate Leadership Fund

Elon Musk, Donor; Ken Paxton, Republican Senate candidate; James Talarico, Democratic Senate candidate and 3 more

Reported by 5 outletsFound via Google News

Talarico's former classmate accuses him of prioritizing politics over truth

Mike Garcia, a former college classmate of Democratic Texas Senate candidate James Talarico, appeared on Fox News to accuse Talarico of putting political ambitions ahead of truthfulness.

James Talarico, Democratic Texas Senate candidate; Mike Garcia, former college classmate making accusation; Will Cain, Fox News host

Reported by 2 outletsOnly right-leaning outlets reported thisFound via Google News

Senate candidate Talarico schedules El Paso campaign rally October 26

Democratic U.S. Senate candidate James Talarico announced a campaign rally in El Paso on October 26 from 6 to 8 p.m., with doors opening at 5 p.m. The event is part of his "Clear Eyes, Full Hearts" statewide tour ahead of the November 3 election.

James Talarico, Democratic U.S. Senate candidate; Ken Paxton, Republican U.S. Senate candidate, Texas Attorney General

Reported by 4 outletsFound via Google News

"No Kings" organizers hold vote early event in Dallas Saturday

Organizers of the "No Kings" movement held a gathering in Dallas to encourage early voting. The event included speakers, music, community activities, voting information, and election volunteer opportunities.

Indivisible Dallas, organizer of Dallas gathering; Black Voters Matter Texas, participating organization

Reported by 4 outletsFound via Google News

All of today's news