Who is running for Justice of the Peace Precinct 3, Place 2 (Fort Bend County Justice of the Peace Precinct 3, Texas) in 2026?

Justice of the Peace, Precinct 3, Place 2 (Fort Bend County)

Ken Cannata (Kenneth S. Cannata on the county page) became Justice of the Peace for Precinct 3, Place 2 in January 2026, when Commissioners Court created new Place 1 and Place 2 positions in Precinct 3 and appointed him to Place 2¹²⁴. The county's biography says he has more than 40 years of legal experience, previously served 11 years as Precinct 3 Justice of the Peace and was the first judge of the 458th District Court².

• Justice of the Peace, Precinct 3, Place 2, since January 13, 2026 (sworn in)²
• Justice of the Peace, Precinct 3, for 11 years; appointed by Gov. Greg Abbott in September 2017 as first judge of the 458th District Court, serving until 2019²
• Assistant County Attorney, Fort Bend County, from 2019, promoted to Chief of Litigation²
• B.A., University of South Florida, 1979; J.D. with honors, South Texas College of Law, 1983; board certified in civil trial law since 1993²
• Commissioners Court voted 5-0 on January 8, 2026 to create new Justice of the Peace positions, Place 1 and Place 2, in Precinct 3, and voted 5-0 to approve an order appointing Kenneth Cannata Justice of the Peace, Precinct 3, Place 2, under Texas Local Government Code Section 87.041, effective immediately⁴. The county says he was sworn in January 13, 2026². Nominee on the November 3, 2026 ballot¹.

Associate judge, City of Sugar Land municipal court

Rachelle Carter is the Democratic nominee for Justice of the Peace, Precinct 3, Place 2, and is challenging incumbent Ken Cannata¹². Houston Public Media reported in July 2025 that she was an associate judge with Sugar Land's municipal court².

• Associate judge, City of Sugar Land municipal court, as of July 2025²
• Democratic nominee on the November 3, 2026 ballot¹; has not held this office.