Photo: Getty Images North America
Former Houston Mayor Annise Parker has officially announced that she will be running for Harris County Judge in 2026, presenting a primary challenge for incumbent Lina Hidalgo.
In a press release announcing her campaign this morning, Parker blasted both state and federal Republicans saying, "Donald Trump is throwing millions of Americans off healthcare to fund tax cuts for billionaires – and gutting FEMA, which pays for our local response to hurricanes, flooding, and major disasters. Greg Abbott and Dan Patrick are at war with Harris County, at war with women and people of color, and at war with public education."
On her campaign website, Parker touted her record as mayor of Houston, an office she held for two terms from 2010-2016. Her website also promoted her record as an LGBTQ+ activist, saying, "Annise led the nation’s only organization dedicated to electing pro-equality, pro-choice LGBTQ+ leaders."
Before leaving the mayor's office in 2016, Parker pushed the Houston Equal Rights Ordinance (HERO), which would have allowed men access to women's restrooms across the city. The Texas Supreme Court ruled that the ordinance must be repealed or put to a vote. On November 3, 2015, Houston voters overturned HERO by a 61%-39% margin, following a campaign marked by controversy, including city subpoenas for pastors’ sermons, which Parker later withdrew amid backlash.
Jared Woodfill with Conservative Republicans of Texas told KTRH that Parker will likely prove to be a strong challenger. He said, "With Annise Parker, you have someone who's likely to run a much stronger, organized, effective campaign, and can rely upon her history of Government service."
He did add however that while her left-wing background could be an asset to her in the Democratic primaries, it could end up making things tougher for her in the November general election, when she'll have to win over voters concerned about more practical matters like public safety.
In an interview this morning with KTRH, Parker seemed to address those concerns saying, "I understand the job of Harris County Judge. The primary responsibilities; public safety, public health, flood management, roads and bridges."
Parker also told KTRH's Jimmy Barrett that this isn't the first time she considered running for County Judge. She revealed that in 2018, she had begun putting together a campaign, but decided not to out of respect for former judge Ed Emmett.