Who is running for Family District Judge, 309th District Court in 2026?

Attorney

Melissa Fertel is the Republican nominee for the 309th District Court (a Harris County family court) against incumbent Democrat Linda Marie Dunson¹². Detailed biographical information was not found in the sources reviewed.

• No prior judicial service found in the sources reviewed¹
• Advanced unopposed from the Republican primary on March 3, 2026, and is on the November 3, 2026 general election ballot against incumbent Democrat Linda Marie Dunson¹².
• Bar poll: The Houston Bar Association's 2026 Judicial Preference Poll, a non-binding poll of HBA members on contested judicial races that the HBA says is not an endorsement, was open as of September 27, 2026, with results due October 9, 2026; no results were published as of this writing³.

Judge, 309th District Court (Harris County)

Linda Marie Dunson has served as judge of the 309th District Court, a Harris County family district court, since January 1, 2019, after defeating incumbent Sheri Y. Dean in 2018¹. She is seeking re-election against Republican nominee Melissa Fertel¹².

• Judge, 309th District Court (Harris County family district court), since January 1, 2019¹
• Elected in November 2018, defeating incumbent Republican Sheri Y. Dean 55.2% to 44.8%; re-elected in November 2022, defeating Republican Jesus Guillen 51.8% to 48.2%¹. She is running for a third term in November 2026¹².
• Bar poll: The Houston Bar Association's 2026 Judicial Preference Poll, a non-binding poll of HBA members on contested judicial races that the HBA says is not an endorsement, was open as of September 27, 2026, with results due October 9, 2026; no results were published as of this writing³.