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Candidate

Darrell Jordan, Jr.

Democrat

Attorney; former judge, Harris County Criminal Court at Law No. 16

Darrell Jordan Jr. is an attorney and U.S. Army and Texas Army National Guard veteran of 24 years who was judge of Harris County Criminal Court at Law No. 16 for eight years23. He won the May 2026 Democratic runoff for district clerk6 and is the Democratic nominee1.

  • Judge, Harris County Criminal Court at Law No. 16, elected in 2016 and re-elected in 2020; did not seek re-election in 20243
  • Served as a presiding judge of the county criminal courts at law and played a lead role in negotiating the ODonnell misdemeanor bail consent decree3
  • About 20 years practicing law; 24 years in the U.S. Army and Texas Army National Guard, including senior leadership roles2
  • Led an eight-candidate Democratic primary in March 2026 and advanced to a runoff with Jose "Alex" Maldonado4, which he won with 70.6 percent6.
  • Public discipline: State Commission on Judicial Conduct, Public Admonition and Order of Additional Education, May 13, 2022 (CJC No. 19-1137), for failing to be patient, dignified and courteous toward prosecutors and for manifesting bias against the Harris County District Attorney's Office in his court5.

Record

  • Was indicted in 2020 on an official oppression charge after ordering the arrest of a man who disrupted his courtroom; the charge was dismissed3.
  • Proposes modernizing the clerk's technology and advocating juror pay of $20 an hour to raise jury participation2.

Last reviewed 2026-10-06. Spotted something wrong? Every claim links to its source so you can check it yourself.

Sources (6)

Every claim on this page links to one of these
  1. Candidate Information: 2026 November General Election, qualified candidates (Ballot Certification Report, Harris County, 2026-08-28)Texas Secretary of State
  2. District Clerk, Democratic candidates: Darrell Jordan Jr. (2026 primary voters guide)League of Women Voters of Houston
  3. Reform-minded Darrell Jordan for district clerk in the Democratic primary (Endorsement, Feb. 12, 2026)Houston Chronicle Editorial Board
  4. Roundup: See election results for Harris County attorney, district clerk (Mar. 3 to 4, 2026)Community Impact
  5. Public Admonition and Order of Additional Education, Hon. Darrell Jordan, CJC No. 19-1137 (May 13, 2022)State Commission on Judicial Conduct
  6. 2026 Harris County electionsWikipedia