Hidalgo urges Democrats to oppose Parker in Harris County judge race

Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo urged Democratic primary voters to oppose former Houston Mayor Annise Parker for county judge on Tuesday. Hidalgo branded Parker as “Kim Ogg 2.0” on social media.

Hidalgo warned Democratic voters in a lengthy Facebook post that Parker, who declared her candidacy in June, does not share the party's values. Parker will “adhere to John Whitmire’s strategy,” Hidalgo said, claiming she has succumbed to former President Donald Trump and Governor Greg Abbott.

Hidalgo said, “Today, I aim to convey a definitive message to Democratic primary voters in Harris County: Annise Parker does not embody our values.” Parker has backed and arranged fundraisers for former Harris County District Attorney Kim Ogg.

Hidalgo's criticism stems from Ogg's long history of political conflict as district attorney. Democratic Party member Ogg routinely clashed with Hidalgo and other county Democrats. The indictment of three Hidalgo employees for an $11 million vaccine outreach contract with a political consultancy business exacerbated the problem.

Hidalgo supported her staff, claiming political motives drove the indictments. Ogg delivered up the cases to Republican Attorney General Ken Paxton in his final days in 2023. Paxton's office dismissed two charges and settled the third with a pretrial intervention agreement requiring community service.

Hidalgo, who announced in September that she will not run for reelection after becoming county judge at 27 in 2018, did not endorse a successor. She argued that Democrats should oppose Parker since he supported the Texas Education Agency's takeover of Houston ISD, praised Ogg, and did not support Hidalgo in her 2022 reelection effort.

Parker replied to Hidalgo's critiques in writing, highlighting her experience.

“My record of public service—characterized by stable, responsible, and drama-free leadership—speaks for itself,” Parker said. “My campaign opposes Donald Trump and Greg Abbott, not the Democratic Party conflicts.”

Parker, Houston's first openly homosexual mayor, served three terms from 2010 to 2016 and is running on a platform of practical administration.

The 2026 Harris County judge election is becoming competitive. Parker and Houston City Council member Letitia Plummer are Democrats running. The Republican field includes Matthew Salazar, Aliza Dutt, Warren Howell, Oscar Gonzales, Marty Lancton, Orlando Sanchez, and George Zeos.

With both parties battling for control in the state's largest county, the forthcoming election will draw attention as Hidalgo steps down.