A new University of Houston survey reveals that Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo has the lowest net approval rating among local officials, underscoring her polarizing role as the county heads into a pivotal election cycle.
A recent study from the University of Houston Hobby School of Public Affairs, released on Wednesday, reveals that Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo holds the lowest net approval rating among all elected officials in the county.
A recent survey involving 2,300 registered voters examined the public's views on elected officials and potential candidates for 2026 while also addressing issues related to county budget challenges and quality-of-life concerns.
Hidalgo's net favorability was recorded at a mere +4%, as 45% of those surveyed expressed approval of her leadership, while 41% voiced disapproval. Fourteen percent indicated they lacked sufficient knowledge to form an opinion about her—a notably low figure, positioning her as the most recognized official in Harris County. The results place her at the center of controversy in county-wide offices and among the five-member Commissioners Court.
Among her fellow commissioners, Adrian Garcia from Precinct 2 received the highest net approval, whereas Tom Ramsey from Precinct 3 and Lesley Briones from Precinct 4 both ranked at the bottom. Outside the court, Harris County Treasurer Carla Wyatt received the lowest net approval among the seven county-wide officeholders. Notably, two-thirds of voters indicated they lacked sufficient knowledge about her to form an opinion, positioning her as the least recognized official.
In a striking development, Harris County Sheriff Ed Gonzalez has distinguished himself as the most favored official, boasting the highest approval rating and the second-highest name recognition following Hidalgo.
With the 2026 judge election approaching, the survey also assessed the popularity of potential candidates. Annise Parker, the former mayor of Houston, topped all candidates in net approval throughout the county.
However, she fell notably behind Hidalgo among Democratic voters. Houston City Council Member Letitia Plummer, a Democrat, recorded the lowest net favorability among the declared candidates, standing at only +2% overall and 20% within the Democratic party. Aliza Dutt, the Republican Mayor of Piney Point and a declared candidate, was also featured in the survey.
Hidalgo has not yet announced her plans for reelection. Still, the survey results underscore her intricate political situation—a well-known figure with polarized public sentiment, particularly as Harris County grapples with an anticipated $270 million budget deficit and increasing voter apprehensions about public safety, infrastructure, and financial accountability.
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