Former Houston Mayor Annise Parker has officially announced her candidacy for Harris County Judge in the upcoming November 2026 general election. She will seek the Democratic nomination in the primary scheduled for March 3, 2026.

Parker, a veteran of Houston politics and a well-known advocate for equality and responsible governance, is positioning herself as a stabilizing force in response to what she describes as growing chaos at both state and federal levels. Her campaign is expected to focus on public safety, affordability, disaster preparedness, and support for working families.

A longtime Democratic leader, Parker has served as an at-large Houston City Council member, Houston City Controller, and was elected three times as the city's mayor. Her post-mayoral career included leading a national organization focused on electing pro-equality, pro-choice LGBTQ+ officials.

Her candidacy adds a high-profile name to what is expected to be a closely watched race in Harris County, one of the most populous and politically pivotal regions in Texas. Parker’s experience and name recognition are likely to make her a major contender in the Democratic primary and beyond.

If elected, Parker would bring decades of public service experience to the role as Harris County faces critical decisions on disaster response, public education, and economic stability..