From commissioner to constable: Explaining the Harris County races on your 2024 ballot
With all eyes on who will win the White House this November, the Houston Landing wants to make sure Harris County residents are just as prepared to cast their votes in dozens of local races farther down on the ballot.
Though not as glamorous as some of the big-name national contests, these down-ballot races could have just as much of an impact, if not more, on Houston and Harris County residents' daily lives.
From county commissioners to constables, even a heated race for district attorney, learn about the local positions that will be on your ballot this fall.
Harris County CommissionersCommissioners Court is the governing body of Harris County. Consisting of five members – four commissioners and the county judge – the panel is the local form of government representation for the nearly 2 million peopl living in unincorporated Harris County.
Along with the county judge, commissioners are responsible for setting annual property tax rates for the county, port of Houston, Harris Health and the Harris County Flood Control District. They also determine the county's annual budget — funding the maintenance and construction of buildings, roads, parks and bridges — and oversee county courthouses, jails, and libraries.
Commissioners, elected to four-year terms, each represent their own geographic area of the county called precincts.
This November, residents in Precincts 1 and 3 will vote for a new commissioner.
Precinct 1 Commissioner Rodney Ellis and Precinct 3 Commissioner Tom Ramsey are both running for re-election against opponents Gerry Vander-Lyn and Saleem Malik, respectively.
To learn more about the candidates in those races, visit the Landing's 2024 election guide .
Harris County Tax Assessor-CollectorAs the name suggests, the Harris County tax assessor-collector is responsible for collecting and disbursing property taxes for numerous area governments and taxing jurisdictions.
In Harris County, the tax assessor also is the voter registrar, charged with maintaining the county's voter rolls and registering new voters. The office also is responsible for vehicle registrations and various licensing and permitting operations.
Current Tax Assessor-Collector Ann Harris-Bennett decided not to run for re-election this year, leaving two challengers to compete for the seat.
Learn more about candidates Steve Radack and Annette Ramirez, and the role of the tax assessor-collector using the Landing's 2024 election guide .
Harris County AttorneyThe Harris County attorney represents county government, Flood Control District, Toll Road Authority, and the Greater Harris County 9-1-1 Emergency Network in all civil matters, including lawsuits. The office also provides legal advice to county officials and employees, and enforces environmental laws.
Incumbent Harris County Attorney Christian Menefee is running against Republican challenger Jacqueline Lucci Smith to retain his seat.
To learn more about the candidates for Harris County attorney and read about their legal philosophies in their own words, visit the Landing's 2024 election guide .
District AttorneyThe district attorney is Harris County's lead criminal prosecutor. The office represents the State of Texas in criminal proceedings in the Harris County Criminal District Courts and County Criminal Courts at Law.
The office investigates and prosecutes crimes, and works through the grand jury system to file charges against individuals. The district attorney also sets policies and priorities for how to prosecute criminal offenses, from low-level drug crimes to murder cases.
Incumbent District Attorney Kim Ogg lost her re-election bid to primary challenger Sean Teare earlier this year, setting up what could be the most competitive down-ballot race this election cycle between Teare and Republican opponent Dan Simons.
To hear from Teare and Simons about their respective campaigns in their own words, visit the Landing's 2024 election guide .
Harris County SheriffThe Harris County Sheriff's Office is the largest in Texas and third-largest in the nation, with nearly 5,100 employees and 200 volunteer reservists.
The sheriff is responsible for law enforcement efforts across the county, operating the Harris County Jail and setting department policies for the thousands of sheriff's office employees.
The sheriff's office also provides bailiffs for county and district courts.
Sheriff's deputies have jurisdiction in both incorporated and unincorporated positions of the county, though they tend to defer to municipal police officers in the incorporated cities.
Incumbent Ed Gonzalez is running to retain his seat against former Houston City Council member Mike Knox. Visit the Landing's 2024 election guide to learn more about Gonzalez and Knox's visions for the sheriff's office.
Harris County ConstablesHarris County constables have unique and sometimes expansive powers their counterparts in other Texas counties do not.
The eight constables offices here have larger budgets and staffs than most other counties and serve large portions of unincorporated Harris County in need of law enforcement that normally would be provided by a local, municipal police department.
Seven of the eight Harris County constable offices also participate in a controversial "contract deputy" program in which neighborhoods can pay for extra patrols to their communities.
Similar to their counterparts across the state, Harris county constables serve warrants and other legal documents, including subpoenas and eviction notices. They also are able to respond directly to calls for service, with each office having its own dispatch system.
Each constable oversees a geographic area of the county called a precinct, and voters in all eight precincts will elect a constable this November.
Most of this year's constable races are uncontested, with incumbents seeking re-election. Only residents in Precincts 3, 4 and 5 will choose between two candidates.
To learn more about each constable candidate, visit the Landing's 2024 election guide .
