Filing ended Dec. 8 for the March 2026 primaries resulting in several contested races at the county level.
For Brazoria County Judge, Pearland Mayor and real estate developer Kevin Cole will face real estate broker Rob Giesecke in the Republican primary.
In the Democratic primary are county judge candidates Eddie Damian, a retiree from Lake Jackson; Eugene Howard, a Manvel business owner; and Pearland retiree Jim Mooney. Incumbent Matt Sebesta is not seeking reelection.
Precinct 2 County Commissioner Ryan Cade is being challenged in the primary by Alfred Froberg of Alvin. The winner of the primary will face Democrat Carlos Townsend Sr. in November.
County Court at Law No. 4 Judge Lori Rickert is retiring at the end of 2026. Vying to succeed her in the Republican primary are Lake Jackson attorney Matt Allen, prosecutor Jayne Griffin of Pearland and attorney Andrew Heston of Angleton. No Democrats filed for the position.
Separate from city council and school board races held in May, the March primaries are the nominating process for Republican and Democrat candidates in the November election. Ballots also include state and federal positions.
District 29 State Rep. Jeff Barry is unchallenged in the Republican primary but in November will run against Democrat Karen Reeder, a project manager from Pearland.
District 11 State Senator Mayes Middleton is forgoing reelection to run for attorney general. Dennis Paul, a current state representative from Houston, is the lone candidate for District 11 in the Republican primary. In the Democratic race for District 11 are Shannon Dicely of Friendswood and Cameron A. Rollwitz.
Feb. 2 is the last day to register to vote in the primaries. Early voting begins Feb. 17, the first business day after President’s Day.
