Harris County voters worry about crime and roads, per UH poll

• The survey polled 2,300 registered voters between July 9 and 18, with a margin of error of +/-2.04%.

The survey also gauged voters' views on local elected officials and four potential 2026 county judge candidates — Hidalgo, former three-term Houston Mayor Annise Parker, Houston City Council Member Letitia Plummer and Republican Piney Point Mayor Aliza Dutt.

State of play: Sheriff Ed Gonzalez had the highest net approval rating (33%, 55% of those who approve minus 22% who disapprove) among elected county officials.

• County Judge Lina Hidalgo had a 45% approval rating — second highest overall — but her 41% disapproval gives her a slim 4% net approval.
• Voters say streets in bad condition (45%), a lack of sidewalks or poor sidewalks (40%) and home and car break-ins (37%) impact their quality of life.
• 67% say they're confident the 2026 midterms will be conducted fairly and accurately in Harris County.

Zoom in: When asked about the four potential candidates for the Harris County judge race ahead of the 2026 election, voters gave Parker had the highest net favorability at 8%.

• Hidalgo has not yet announced whether she's running for judge.

Yes, but: Among Harris County Democrats, Hidalgo had the highest net favorability at 49%, while Parker came in at 29%. Plummer followed at 20%.

• More than half of Harris County registered voters say they don't know enough about Dutt (81%) or Plummer (64%) to form an opinion.