Who is running for Criminal District Judge, 496th District Court in 2026?

Visiting judge (occupation listed on her 2026 primary filing); former judge, 338th District Court

Ramona Franklin was judge of the 338th District Court in Harris County, elected in 2016 and reelected in 2020; she lost the March 2024 Democratic primary for that seat and left office at the end of 2024¹. She began her legal career as a Harris County assistant district attorney and opened a private practice in 2006¹. Her 2026 primary filing lists her occupation as visiting judge³. She won the March 2026 Democratic primary for the 496th District Court and faces Republican incumbent Dan Simons in the general election¹.

• Judge, 338th District Court, Harris County; elected in 2016, reelected in 2020, left office December 31, 2024¹
• Occupation listed on her 2026 primary filing: visiting judge³
• Assistant District Attorney, Harris County District Attorney's Office, after law school; private law practice beginning in 2006¹
• B.A. in English, Florida A&M University, 1996; M.S. in sports administration, Lynn University, 1999; J.D., Thomas M. Cooley Law School, 2002; licensed in Texas since November 2002¹²
• Elected to the 338th District Court in November 2016, defeating incumbent Brock Thomas, and reelected in 2020¹. Was the Democratic nominee for Texas Court of Criminal Appeals, Place 7, in 2018 and lost to incumbent Barbara Hervey¹. Lost the March 5, 2024 Democratic primary for the 338th District Court to Allison Mathis, 61.7% to 38.3%, and left office December 31, 2024¹. Defeated Michael Abner in the Democratic primary for the 496th District Court on March 3, 2026, 61.5% to 38.5%, and faces Republican incumbent Dan Simons in the November 3, 2026 general election¹.

Judge, 496th District Court (Harris County)

Dan Simons was appointed judge of the 496th District Court by Governor Greg Abbott on January 7, 2025¹². Before that he was a criminal defense attorney and owner of Dan Simons Law Firm, and earlier an assistant district attorney in Harris County². He was the Republican nominee for Harris County District Attorney in 2024¹. He advanced unopposed from the Republican primary for a full term and faces Democrat Ramona Franklin in the general election¹.

• Judge, 496th District Court, Harris County, by appointment of Governor Greg Abbott on January 7, 2025; current term ends December 31, 2026¹²
• Criminal defense attorney and owner, Dan Simons Law Firm; previously an attorney with the Thiessen Law Firm and an assistant district attorney, Harris County District Attorney's Office²
• U.S. Air Force, 1996 to 1999; honorably discharged¹²
• Bachelor's degree, Sam Houston State University, 2008; J.D., Thurgood Marshall School of Law, 2011; graduate degree, University of Houston, 2013; licensed in Texas since November 2012¹³
• Ran as the Republican nominee for Harris County Criminal Court at Law No. 8 in 2018 (lost to Democrat Franklin Bynum), for Criminal Court at Law No. 11 in 2022 (lost to incumbent Democrat Sedrick Walker II), and for Harris County District Attorney in 2024 (lost to Democrat Sean Teare, 50.9% to 49.1%)¹. Appointed by Governor Greg Abbott to the 496th District Court on January 7, 2025, for a term ending December 31, 2026². Advanced unopposed from the Republican primary on March 3, 2026, and faces Democrat Ramona Franklin in the November 3, 2026 general election¹.