Who’s operating within the midterm elections?

Headed into the 2026 midterm election, Texans live beneath close to single-party management. Republicans have been in control of each statewide management place for practically three a long time, and two years in the past, they obtained President Donald Trump within the White Home and majorities within the U.S. Home and Senate, too.

After one in every of their finest elections in current reminiscence in 2024, nevertheless, this yr Trump isn’t on the poll to fireplace up his get together, and Democrats hope to make huge features off of his tumultuous return to workplace.

Their most possible goal to flip is the U.S. Home, the place each member is up for reelection, and Republicans are so nervous they redrew Texas’ maps to shore up their razor-thin majority.

The battle for the Home runs straight via swingy South Texas, and two San Antonio-area districts alone are projected to see as a lot as $30 million spent main as much as November.

Flipping the U.S. Senate is a a lot taller order, but when Democrats have any probability, they have to additionally win Texas’ marquee race between Republican Ken Paxton and Democrat James Talarico — one thing that depends closely on Talarico’s potential to win again voters on this a part of the state.

State legislative races are getting some uncommon consideration this yr too, since they maintain energy in a redistricting course of that might solidify Republicans’ dominance in Texas for years to return. Democrats are concentrating on 12 GOP-held seats throughout the state, of which two of their finest prospects are in San Antonio.

In the meantime in Bexar County, Republicans are those greedy for buy. Democrats haven’t misplaced a countywide workplace in additional than a decade, and now hope to proceed that report with a brand new technology in prime management positions.

This yr put up former San Antonio Mayor Ron Nirenberg as their nominee for Bexar County Choose, and chosen former Fourth Court docket of Appeals Justice Luz Elena Chapa as their candidate to switch a retiring district lawyer.

In all of those races, Republicans and Democrats selected their nominees in major elections earlier this yr. Now the sphere is essentially set for the final election, with unbiased and third-party contenders on the poll as effectively.

Get to know all the candidates utilizing the San Antonio Report’s 2026 Voter Information.

Voter information profiles are compiled by San Antonio Report senior authorities and politics reporter Andrea Drusch utilizing candidates’ submitting paperwork, marketing campaign supplies and previous information protection. To learn our Q&As with the candidates, click on the hyperlinks beneath their bios.

Key dates within the 2026 midterm election

Oct. 5 — Voter registration deadline

Oct. 19-30 — Early voting

Nov. 3 — Election Day

U.S. Senate

This yr one in every of Texas’ two U.S. Senate seats is on the poll, at present held by longtime U.S. Sen. John Cornyn (R-Texas), who tried to run for a sixth time period, however was knocked out by his conservative major challenger in a surprising 28-point defeat.

Nationwide Republicans broke spending data attempting to guard the extra average Cornyn as their nominee, however President Donald Trump backed Legal professional Common Ken Paxton, who now faces Democrat James Talarico in a race with super nationwide curiosity.

Republicans management 53 out of 100 U.S. Senate seats, and Democrats would want to flip 4 of the 35 which might be up for reelection this yr to take the bulk.

Although Texas hasn’t elected a Democrat to any statewide workplace in additional than three a long time, it’s nonetheless thought of probably the most aggressive races on a U.S. Senate map that features virtually completely crimson states this election cycle.

Candidates for Texas’ U.S. Senate seat

Congress

Republicans maintain a razor-thin majority within the 435-member U.S. Home in a yr the place the get together out of energy within the White Home usually picks up seats.

A Democrat-controlled Home may put the brakes on President Donald Trump’s agenda for the subsequent two years, which is why Trump obtained Texas to redraw its congressional maps outdoors of the Census cycle final yr — in hopes of electing extra Republicans to offset loses elsewhere.

Underneath the brand new maps, blue Bexar County is split between 4 congressional districts as an alternative of 5. Solely one in every of them, represented by U.S. Rep. Joaquin Castro (D-San Antonio), continues to be thought of safely blue. The opposite three don’t have an incumbent in search of reelection this yr, however had been drawn to favor Republicans.

After redistricting, 43% of Bexar County residents are in a brand new congressional district

Republicans are relying on choosing up the brand new thirty fifth Congressional District, which at present has a Democratic incumbent, however was reshaped so as to add Republican voters and lower the present congressman out of his district.

Democrats nonetheless plan to struggle them for that now harder seat, and goal the deeply crimson twenty third Congressional District, the place they hope U.S. Rep. Tony Gonzales’ (R-San Antonio) resignation has opened up a chance.

Texas’ twentieth Congressional District

Democratic U.S. Rep. Joaquin Castro (D-San Antonio) is in search of an eighth time period in a district that modified dramatically beneath the brand new maps, however now seems even bluer than it was earlier than.

It went from a principally Westside district to 1 than encompasses many of the city core, leaving San Antonio with one reliably blue district as an alternative of two.

This yr Castro is up in opposition to Republican Edgardo Baez, a first-time candidate hoping to make inroads with a few of the reshaped district’s many new voters.

Candidates for Texas’ twentieth Congressional District

Texas’ twenty first Congressional District

Longtime incumbent U.S. Rep. Chip Roy (R-Dripping Springs) selected to not search reelection to his reliably crimson district this yr, waging an unsuccessful Legal professional Common bid as an alternative.

Republicans selected former MLB participant Mark Teixeira from a crowded discipline of conservatives operating to switch Roy. He’ll face Democrat Kristin Hook in a district that is still deeply crimson.

Redistricting made it a extra San Antonio-centric seat, increasing its attain into Bexar County. However it additionally misplaced a portion that stretched up into Austin — stunning quite a few Republicans who dwell in that a part of the district, and who had been already campaigning to succeed Roy when the brand new maps had been unveiled.

Candidates for Texas’ twenty first Congressional District

Texas’ twenty third Congressional District

This seat has been vacant since April, when Republican Tony Gonzales resigned after admitting to an affair with a staffer.

The broken incumbent completed second in his GOP major, and would have gone to runoff for a second time with challenger Brandon Herrera. As an alternative Herrera mechanically turned the Republican nominee when Gonzales ended his reelection bid.

Gov. Greg Abbott may name a particular election to fill it earlier than November — open to all candidates, together with Herrera and Democratic nominee Katy Padilla Stout. However Abbott has stated little about his plans.

The large San Antonio-to-El Paso district stays deeply crimson, however nationwide Democrats reserved advertisements right here anyway, hoping to capitalizing on the GOP turmoil.

Candidates for Texas’ twenty third Congressional District

Texas’ thirty fifth Congressional District

That is a wholly new district that Republicans created for themselves once they redrew the congressional maps final yr.

They broke up progressive U.S. Rep. Greg Casar’s (D-Austin) seat, which looped downtown San Antonio and Austin right into a single deep-blue district. As an alternative, Republicans created a district that begins in San Antonio however stretches east to incorporate extra rural territory in Karnes, Wilson and Guadalupe counties.

Although the district would have supported President Donald Trump by greater than 10 proportion factors beneath its new boundaries, each events take into account it one of many prime battlegrounds on this yr’s U.S. Home map.

There’s no incumbent on the poll as a result of Casar, who lives in Austin, moved over to run in a distinct district that’s nearer to his residence.

As an alternative Republicans and Democrats are each leaning on political newcomers, who aren’t well-known to voters however have acquired huge assist from nationwide PACs attempting to affect who controls the U.S. Home in 2026.

Candidates for Texas’ thirty fifth Congressional District

Texas statewide races

Practically all of Texas’ statewide positions are on the poll this yr, together with the governor’s workplace, the place incumbent Republican Greg Abbott has been in cost for nearly 12 years.

Statewide positions that not often see turnover in Texas, the place Republicans have managed each statewide place for nearly three a long time.

However this yr many positions could have new leaders no matter who wins in November, as a result of the incumbent both moved on to a brand new function or misplaced their major.

Texas Governor

Gov. Greg Abbott is in search of a fourth four-year time period in 2026, which might make him the state’s longest-serving governor if he wins and completes his time period. He faces Democrat Gina Hinojosa and Libertarian Pat Dixon in November.

Candidates for Texas Governor

Lieutenant Governor

Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick is in search of a fourth, four-year time period in a strong function that oversees the Texas Senate. He faces three challengers this November.

Candidates for Texas Lieutenant Governor

Texas Legal professional Common

Legal professional Common Ken Paxton opened up probably the most highly effective positions within the state by operating for U.S. Senate as an alternative of reelection this yr.

The Legal professional Common is the state’s prime prosecutor, and it’s chargeable for client safety and imposing little one assist orders as effectively. Republican Mayes Middleton gained his get together’s nomination in an costly major that went to a runoff with U.S. Rep. Chip Roy. (R-Dripping Springs).

He now faces fellow Texas state Sen. Nathan Johnson (D-Dallas) and trial lawyer Tom Oxford within the race to switch Paxton.

Candidates for Texas Legal professional Common

Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts

The comptroller oversees many monetary tasks for the state, and bold Texas leaders noticed a uncommon statewide opening when former Comptroller Glenn Hegar left it to simply accept a place overseeing the Texas A&M College system final yr.

Gov. Greg Abbott tried to put in a successor in state Sen. Kelly Hancock (R-North Richland Hills), however Republican Don Huffines shocked political watchers by defeating Hancock and two different candidates with an outright victory within the GOP major.

Afterwards, Hancock resigned from his short-term comptroller appointment and Abbott tapped Huffines to take over. Huffines now faces three opponents, together with Democrat Sarah Eckhart, in his bid for a full, four-year time period this November.

Candidates for Texas Comptroller

Commissioner of the Common Land Workplace

Land Commissioner Daybreak Buckingham faces two opponents as she seeks a second four-year time period overseeing the state’s Common Land Workplace. The place manages state-owned lands, together with the Alamo, the place a serious redevelopment venture has put Buckingham on the heart of a many fights with native leaders.

Candidates for Land Commissioner

Commissioner of Agriculture

Incumbent Ag Commissioner Sid Miller misplaced his major to fellow Republican Nate Sheets — a businessman who had the backing of Gov. Greg Abbott. Now the race is all the way down to principally political newcomers.

The function is chargeable for an array of agricultural points, corresponding to regulating pesticides and grocery scales, in addition to overseeing college vitamin applications.

Candidates for Texas Ag Commissioner

Railroad Fee of Texas

The Railroad Fee of Texas oversees the state’s oil and gasoline trade, and its three members serve staggered six-year phrases. Simply one in every of them, Republican Jim Wright, was up for reelection this yr.

Wright misplaced his major to Bo French, an oilman and conservative activist who chaired the Tarrant County Republican Get together. Now it’s an open, three-way race between French, state Rep. Jon Rosenthal (D-Houston) and Libertarian Arthur DiBianca.

Candidates for Railroad Commissioner

Texas Senate

Republicans managed 18 out of 31 seats within the Texas Senate final legislative session — a majority that will likely be tough for Democrats to beat anytime quickly. Its members serve staggered four-year phrases, and 16 seats are up for reelection in 2026.

Bexar County is split between 4 Texas Senate districts, three of that are on the poll this yr: Democratic incumbents Roland Gutierrez (D-San Antonio), Judith Zaffirini (D-Laredo) and José Menéndez (D-San Antonio).

The lone Republican representing a part of Bexar County, state Sen. Donna Campbell (R-New Braunfels), isn’t up till 2028.

Senate District 19

Democratic state Sen. Roland Gutierrez (D-San Antonio) was first elected to the Texas Senate in 2020, and ran unsuccessfully for the Democratic nomination in Texas’ 2024 U.S. Senate race.

He’s been an outspoken critic of state GOP leaders, and this yr faces a Republican opponent, Marcus Cardenas, who has Gov. Greg Abbott’s backing.

Candidates for Texas Senate District 19

Senate District 21

Democrat Judith Zaffirini (D-Laredo) is without doubt one of the longest-serving members of the Texas Senate, first elected in 1986.

She fended off a Democratic major challenger this yr and drew one Republican opponent, Julie Dahlberg.

Candidate for Texas Senate District 21

Senate District 26

Democratic state Sen. José Menéndez (D-San Antonio) served on the San Antonio Metropolis Council and within the Texas Home earlier than profitable the seat in a 2015 particular election.

He didn’t draw a Republican opponent this yr, however faces a Inexperienced Get together challenger, Julián Villarreal, who additionally ran for the seat in 2020.

Candidates for Texas Senate District 26

Texas Home races

Republicans management 88 out of 150 Texas Home seats, giving them a lot energy that the largest fights are sometimes between factions of the Republican Get together slightly than with Democrats.

After the Texas Legislature green-lit modifications to the state’s congressional maps final yr, nevertheless, nationwide Democrats declared it mission-critical to start out chipping away at that Republican majority.

Most state Home districts are drawn solidly in favor of 1 get together or the opposite, however Democrats have laid out 12 GOP-held targets they suppose they’ve an opportunity of flipping, together with two of the ten districts representing Bexar County. Even when they gained all of them this yr, it wouldn’t be sufficient to take the bulk.

Home District 116

Longtime incumbent state Rep. Trey Martinez Fischer (D-San Antonio) is in search of a fifth consecutive time period.

Martinez Fischer was as soon as the chief of Home Democrats’ technique, however misplaced that function final session.

This yr he faces Republican Rhett Rosenquest Smith, who works in safety.

Home District 117

State Rep. Philip Cortez (D-San Antonio) has held the seat on and off since 2012. He was one of many solely Democrats who didn’t depart the state to interrupt quorum and stall Republicans’ redistricting effort final yr, and drew a Democratic major challenger over that problem in 2026.

The district has been reliably blue for a while, however Republican Ben Mostyn, who ran for the seat in 2024, is difficult Cortez once more this yr.

Candidates for Texas Home District 117

Home District 118

This swingy Southside seat is taken into account probably the most aggressive Texas Home districts within the state, and it’s one in every of Democrats’ two targets within the San Antonio space this yr.

Incumbent Republican John Lujan (R-San Antonio) flipped the district for Republicans a number of years in the past, however ran unsuccessfully for Congress as an alternative of reelection this yr.

Republicans nominated a conservative, Jorge Borrego to switch the extra average Lujan. Democrats renominated their 2024 candidate, Kristian Carranza, who raised huge cash final election cycle.

Candidates for Texas Home District 118

Home District 119

Incumbent Democratic state Rep. Liz Campos (D-San Antonio), a former legislative staffer, is operating for a fourth time period.

She faces Republican Melva Rivera Perez, a retired operational planner, in a district that’s been reliably blue however overlaps with a fiercely contested race in Congressional District 35 this yr.

Candidates for Texas Home District 119

Home District 120

State Rep. Barbara Gervin-Hawkins (D-San Antonio) is in search of a sixth time period in her East Aspect district.

She defeated two Democratic major challengers this yr, however is unopposed within the common election.

Candidates for Texas Home District 120

Home District 121

Republican state Rep. Marc LaHood (R-San Antonio) gained the seat by defeating an incumbent from his personal get together, Steve Allison, in 2024.

Democrats have lengthy hoped they might flip this seat if sufficient average Republicans soured on the GOP’s rightward march, however LaHood beat a well-funded opponent by a large margin that November.

Democrats as soon as once more take into account this district one in every of their two San Antonio-area targets.

LaHood will face Democrat Zack Dunn, a prosecutor and first-time candidate.

Candidates for Texas Home District 121

Home District 122

Republican state Rep. Mark Dorazio (R-San Antonio), a pacesetter within the get together’s conservative wing, gained the seat after average Republican Lyle Larson retired in 2022. Dorazio is a former Republican Get together of Bexar County chair identified for pushing the get together to the proper.

This yr he faces Democrat Shelly Nickels, a hospital medical director, in a district that’s been reliably crimson.

Candidates for Texas Home District 122

Home District 123

Democratic state Rep. Diego Bernal (D-San Antonio), an lawyer and former San Antonio Metropolis Council member, gained the seat in a 2015 particular election.

Bernal is as soon as once more operating unopposed in each the Democratic major and common election in 2026.

Candidates for Texas Home District 123

Home District 124

Democratic state Rep. Josey Garcia (D-San Antonio), a U.S. Air Pressure veteran, is in search of a 3rd time period representing the Southwest aspect.

The district has been reliably blue, however Garcia faces a rematch in November with Republican Sylvia Soto, a trainer who ran unsuccessfully for the seat in 2024.

Candidates for Texas Home District 124

Home District 125

Longtime Democratic state Rep. Ray Lopez (D-San Antonio) is retiring this yr, creating a gap in his reliably blue Westside seat.

Democrats nominated SAISD union chief Adrian Reyna, whose dad as soon as represented this district.

Reyna is up in opposition to Republican Ricardo Martinez this November.

Candidates for Texas Home District 125

Bexar County races

Practically all of Bexar County’s elected officers are up for reelection this yr, together with the DA, county decide and two out of 4 commissioners court docket seats. The sheriff and the opposite two commissioners had been simply reelected to four-year phrases in 2024.

Republicans at present management only one seat on the Bexar County Commissioners Court docket, Precinct 3, which isn’t up this yr. They haven’t gained a countywide workplace in additional than a decade.

Bexar County District Legal professional

District Legal professional Joe Gonzales, a progressive Democrat who first gained the seat in 2018, isn’t in search of reelection this yr.

Democrats selected their nominee, former Fourth Court docket of Appeals Justice Luz Elena Chapa, from a discipline of eight candidates with extra prosecutorial expertise.

Republicans simply had one candidate join the job, Ashley Foster, plus a former Republican decide who’s operating as an unbiased, Jason Wolff.

Candidates for Bexar County DA

Bexar County Choose

Incumbent Bexar County Choose Peter Sakai, a Democrat who was first elected in 2022, misplaced his major to former San Antonio Mayor Ron Nirenberg.

Nirenberg now faces Republican Patrick Von Dohlen in November, whereas Sakai is serving out the rest of his time period, which ends in December.

Candidates for Bexar County Choose

Bexar County District Clerk

District Clerk Gloria Martinez, a Democrat, misplaced her major to Christine “Chris” Castillo, who’s unopposed within the November election.

Candidates for District Clerk

Bexar County Clerk

Bexar County Clerk Lucy Adame-Clark, a Democrat, fended off a major challenger in a runoff this yr however didn’t draw a Republican opponent.

Candidates for Bexar County Clerk

Bexar County Precinct 2 Commissioner

Commissioner Justin Rodriguez, a Democrat who beforehand served within the Texas Home, has held the Precinct 2 seat since 2019, when then-Choose Nelson Wolff appointed him to switch the late Commissioner Paul Elizondo. Rodriguez will face Republican challenger David Sherwood Hill in November.

Candidates for Bexar County Pct. 2 Commissioner

Bexar County Precinct 4 Commissioner

Bexar County Commissioner Tommy Calvert (Pct. 4), a Democrat who has held the seat since 2014, didn’t draw a Republican opponent this yr. As an alternative he faces a problem from an unbiased candidate, Roy Anthony II.

Candidates for Bexar County Pct. 4 Commissioner

magistrate for Bexar County’s Pct. 1

magistrate Sylvia Ruiz isn’t in search of reelection in 2026. Democrats nominated Armando Cruz Jr. to fill her seat, and no Republicans filed for this race.

Candidates for Bexar County Pct. 1 magistrate

magistrate for Bexar County’s Pct. 3

Incumbent Julie Bray Patterson, a Republican who was first elected in 2022, is unopposed in her bid for a second time period.

Candidates for Pct. 3 magistrate

magistrate for Bexar County’s Pct. 4

magistrate Michele Garcia, a Democrat elected in 2022, declined to hunt reelection whereas battling most cancers. She died in December, and Anna Campos was appointed to the seat after profitable the Democratic major in March. Campos is unopposed in her bid for a full four-year time period this November.

Candidates for Bexar County Pct. 4 magistrate

Texas Supreme Court docket

The Texas Supreme Court docket is comprised of 9 members who serve staggered, six-year phrases. All positions are elected on a statewide foundation, and are at present held by Republicans. 4 seats are on the poll in 2026.

Texas Supreme Court docket — Chief Justice

Republican Chief Justice Jimmy Blacklock was appointed to the chief justice place by Gov. Greg Abbott in 2025, after the earlier chief justice, Nathan Hecht, reached the state’s judicial age cap. He faces Democrat Maggie Ellis in November.

Candidates for Texas Supreme Court docket Chief Justice

Texas Supreme Court docket — Place 2

Justice James P. Sullivan was appointed by Gov. Greg Abbott to fill this place when Justice Jimmy Blacklock was promoted to chief justice in January of 2025. Sullivan is now operating to carry it for the remainder of Blacklock’s unexpired time period. He faces Democrat Chari Kelly in November.

Candidates for Texas Supreme Court docket — Place 2

Texas Supreme Court docket — Place 7

Incumbent Republican Justice Kyle Hawkins was appointed by Gov. Greg Abbott in October 2025 to switch retiring Supreme Court docket Justice Jeff Boyd. He’s now operating for a full time period and faces Democrat Kristen Hawkins.

Candidates for Texas Supreme Court docket — Place 7

Texas Supreme Court docket — Place 8

Incumbent Republican Brett Busby was appointed to the Texas Supreme Court docket in 2019 when Justice Phil Johnson retired. He gained a full time period in 2020,  and now faces a rematch with Gisela Triana in his bid for a second. 

Candidates for Texas Supreme Court docket — Place 8

Texas Court docket of Prison Appeals

The Texas Court docket of Prison Appeals is the best appellate court docket for felony instances in Texas. It’s comprised of 9 members who’re elected on a statewide foundation, and serve staggered six-year phrases.

All seats are at present held by Republicans, however the court docket skilled huge turnover in final cycle’s major final election after Legal professional Common Ken Paxton campaigned in opposition to long-serving Republican judges who stated he didn’t have broad authority to prosecute election fraud.

Two remaining GOP judges who signed onto that ruling, Bert Richardson and David Newell, are retiring as an alternative of in search of reelection this yr. A 3rd Republican Justice, Kevin Patrick Yeary, is in search of a 3rd time period.

Texas Court docket of Prison Appeals — Place 3

Incumbent Republican Justice Bert Richardson is operating for a decrease court docket as an alternative of in search of reelection. Thomas Smith gained a four-way GOP major to take his place, and faces Democrat Okey Anyiam and Libertarian Mark Ash in November.

Candidates for Texas Court docket of Prison Appeals — Place 3

Texas Court docket of Prison Appeals — Place 4

Republican Justice Kevin Patrick Yeary was first elected in 2014, and is the one incumbent in search of reelection this yr. He faces Democrat Audra Riley in November.

Candidates for Texas Court docket of Prison Appeals — Place 4

Texas Court docket of Prison Appeals — Place 9

Incumbent Justice David Newell is retiring and Republicans nominated John Messinger to take his place. He faces Democrat Holly Taylor in November.

Candidates for Texas Court docket of Prison Appeals — Place 9

Texas’ fifteenth Court docket of Appeals

The fifteenth Court docket of Appeals was created through the 2023 legislative session and has jurisdiction over instances involving the state, state leaders, challenges to state regulation, and instances from the state’s new enterprise court docket.

Its three inaugural justices, all Republicans, had been appointed by Gov. Greg Abbott. They’re on the poll for the primary time in 2026 and every face Democratic challengers in November. The positions are elected on a statewide foundation.

Texas’ fifteenth Court docket of Appeals — Chief Justice

Incumbent Republican Justice Scott Brister will face Democrat Jerry Zimmerer in November.

Candidates for fifteenth Court docket of Appeals — Chief Justice

Texas’ fifteenth Court docket of Appeals — Place 2

Incumbent Republican Justice Scott Area will face Democrat Tom Baker in November.

Candidates for Texas’ fifteenth Court docket of Appeals — Place 2

Texas’ fifteenth Court docket of Appeals — Place 3

Incumbent Republican Justice April Farris will face Democrat Marc Meyer in November.

Candidates for Texas’ fifteenth Court docket of Appeals — Place 3

4th Court docket of Appeals

The 4th Court docket of Appeals is a regional appellate court docket based mostly in San Antonio. It hears appeals to instances from a 32-county area that features components of the Hill Nation and South Texas — which has made for a politically swingy voter base lately.

The court docket’s seven members serve staggered six-year phrases, and so they’re elected by the voters in its 32 counties.

Democrats held the vast majority of the seats going into the final election, however Republicans spent huge cash flipping practically Democrat-held appellate court docket seat within the state in 2024 — together with electing three new Republicans on the 4th Court docket of Appeals.

This yr the GOP may broaden that majority, because the court docket’s chief justice steps down.

4th Court docket of Appeals — Chief Justice

Incumbent Democratic Chief Justice Rebecca Martinez is just not in search of reelection, and Democrats nominated district court docket Choose Antonia Arteaga to fill her seat. She faces Republican Bert Richardson, who’s retiring from a place on the statewide Court docket of Prison Appeals, in November.

Candidates for 4th Court docket of Appeals — Chief Justice

District Courts

Every Texas county is served by no less than one district court docket, which hears felony felony instances, divorce instances, instances involving title to land, election contest instances and civil issues.

Giant counties like Bexar County have lots of them, specializing in felony, civil and juvenile instances. These judges are elected on a countywide foundation, and serve four-year phrases, with roughly half of the courts up for reelection in midterm years. 

Bexar County’s district courts used to swing backwards and forwards between Democrats and Republicans, however that stopped because the county trended bluer lately.

Democrats flipped the final remaining Republican-held district court docket judgeships in 2022, resulting in extra aggressive Democratic primaries and fewer common election fights, as Republicans struggled to recruit candidates.

Six San Antonio-area judges fall in Democratic major upsets

This yr there’s only one Republican incumbent, Choose Ben Robertson, who was appointed by Gov. Greg Abbott to fill a emptiness within the 226th Prison District Court docket. Robertson is now operating for a civil bench seat in 2026, since his background is in power regulation.

forty fifth Civil District Court docket

Incumbent Democratic Choose Mary Lou Alvarez is operating unopposed in November.

Candidates for the forty fifth Civil District Court docket

144th Prison District Court docket

Incumbent Democratic Choose Michael Mery misplaced his major to Michael De Leon, who’s operating unopposed in November.

Candidates for the 144th Prison District Court docket

a hundred and fiftieth Civil District Court docket

Incumbent Democratic Choose Monique Diaz is operating unopposed in November.

Candidates for the a hundred and fiftieth Civil District Court docket

186th Prison District Court docket

Incumbent Democratic Choose Kristina Escalona is operating unopposed in November.

Candidates for the 186th Prison District Court docket

187th Prison District Court docket

Incumbent Democratic Choose Stephanie R. Boyd misplaced her major to Stephanie Franco, who’s operating unopposed in November.

Candidates for the 187th Prison District Court docket

224th Civil District Court docket

Incumbent Democratic Choose Marisa Flores is operating unopposed in November.

Candidates for the 224th Civil District Court docket

225th Civil District Court docket

Incumbent Democratic Choose Christine Vasquez-Hortick faces a problem from Republican Benjamin Robertson, who’s at present a decide within the 226th District Court docket.

Candidates for the 225th Civil District Court docket

226th Prison District Court docket

Incumbent Republican Choose Benjamin Robertson is operating for a civil bench seat in a distinct court docket. Democrats nominated Ana Ochoa Nelson to fill the seat, and he or she is operating unopposed in November.

Candidates for the 226th Prison District Court docket

227th Prison District Court docket

Incumbent Democratic Choose Christine Del Prado is unopposed in November.

Candidates for the 227th Prison District Court docket

285th Civil District Court docket

Incumbent Democratic Choose Nadine Melissa Nieto is unopposed in November.

Candidates for the 285th Civil District Court docket

288th Civil District Court docket

Incumbent Democratic Choose Cynthia Marie Chapa is unopposed in November.

Candidates for the 288th Civil District Court docket

289th Juvenile District Court docket

Incumbent Democratic Choose Rose Sosa is unopposed in November.

Candidates for the 289th Juvenile District Court docket

290th Prison District Court docket

Incumbent Democratic Choose Jennifer Peña is unopposed in November.

Candidates for the 209th Prison District Court docket

436th Juvenile District Court docket

Incumbent Democratic Choose William “Cruz” Shaw misplaced his major to Raymond Villareal, who’s operating unopposed in November.

Candidates for the 436th Juvenile District Court docket

437th Prison District Court docket

Incumbent Democratic Choose Joel Perez is unopposed in November.

Candidates for the 437th Juvenile District Court docket

Bexar County Courts-at-Regulation

Judges within the 15 Bexar County Courts-at-Regulation serve four-year phrases, and all of them are up for reelection in 2026. In a blue county, Democrats management each county bench seat, and few Republicans signed as much as run in opposition to them.

This yr there have been two retirements, in County Court docket at Regulation No. 8 and No. 9.

County Court docket at Regulation No. 1

Incumbent Democrat Helen Petry Stowe faces Republican Bob Behrens, a former decide, in November.

Candidates for County Court docket at Regulation No. 1

County Court docket at Regulation No. 2

Incumbent Democrat Melissa Saenz is operating unopposed in November.

Candidates for County Court docket at Regulation No. 2

County Court docket at Regulation No. 3

Incumbent David Rodriguez is operating unopposed in November.

Candidates for County Court docket at Regulation No. 3

County Court docket at Regulation No. 4

Incumbent Democrat Alfredo Ximenez faces a rematch with former Republican Choose Jason Roland Garrahan in November.

Candidates for County Court docket at Regulation No. 4

County Court docket at Regulation No. 5

Incumbent Democrat Andrea Arevalos is unopposed in November.

Candidates for County Court docket at Regulation No. 5

County Court docket at Regulation No. 6

Incumbent Democrat Erica Dominguez is unopposed in November.

Candidates for County Court docket at Regulation No. 6

County Court docket at Regulation No. 7

Incumbent Democrat Melanie Lira is unopposed in November.

Candidates for County Court docket at Regulation No. 7

County Court docket at Regulation No. 8

Democrats nominated Victoria Cruz to switch retiring Choose Mary Roman. She is going to face Republican Celeste Brown in November.

Candidates for County Court docket at Regulation No. 8

County Court docket at Regulation No. 9

Democrats nominated Jessica A. Gonzalez to switch retiring Choose Gloria Saldaña. She is going to face Republican Daphne Previti Austin in November.

Candidates for County Court docket at Regulation No. 9

County Court docket at Regulation No. 10

Incumbent Democrat Cesar Garcia is operating unopposed in November, after warding off a Democratic challenger in a major runoff.

Candidates for County Court docket at Regulation No. 10

County Court docket at Regulation No. 11

Incumbent Democrat Erica Peña is unopposed in November.

Candidates for County Court docket at Regulation No. 11

County Court docket at Regulation No. 12

Incumbent Democrat Yolanda Huff misplaced her major to Lauren Zamora, who’s up in opposition to Republican Deborah Dietzmann in November.

Candidates for County Court docket at Regulation No. 12

County Court docket at Regulation No. 13

Incumbent Rosie Speedlin Gonzalez misplaced her major to Alicia Perez, who’s operating unopposed in November.

Candidates for County Court docket at Regulation No. 13

County Court docket at Regulation No. 14

Incumbent Democrat Carlo Rodriguez Key misplaced his major to Audrey Martinez, who’s operating unopposed in November.

Candidates for County Court docket at Regulation No. 13

County Court docket at Regulation No. 15

Incumbent Democrat Melissa Vara is unopposed in November.

Candidates for County Court docket at Regulation No. 15

Probate Courts

Bexar County has three probate courts that deal with wills and the distribution of belongings after an individual’s demise. They serve four-year phrases, and two of them are on the poll in 2026. Neither drew an opponent.

Probate Court docket No. 1

Incumbent Oscar J. Kazen is unopposed in November.

Candidates for Probate Court docket No. 1

Probate Court docket No. 2

Incumbent Democrat Veronica Vasquez is unopposed in November.

Candidates for Probate Court docket No. 2

Notice: The Nov. 4 poll will even embody races for 3 seats on the Bexar Central Appraisal District’s board of administrators, in addition to some native college board races. These are nonpartisan positions that don’t require a major, and the candidate submitting interval continues to be open till August 17. The candidates will likely be included in our voter information after we replace it nearer to the election.

San Antonio Report authorities and politics reporter Andrea Drusch constructed our 2026 voter guides. Questions? E mail andrea@sareport.org.