Early voting to begin Oct. 19, run through Oct. 30
City, county, state, federal races on ballot; Election Day set for Nov. 3
South Belt area voters will have nearly two weeks to cast their ballots ahead of the Nov. 3 general and special elections, with early voting scheduled from Oct. 19 through Oct. 30.
Harris County voters will decide races ranging from U.S. Senate to countywide offices, while Houston residents will also weigh in on a city charter amendment involving marijuana enforcement and no-knock search warrants.
Voters will decide multiple open-seat races at the federal, state and county levels.
The election will be the first for many South Belt residents under congressional boundaries redrawn during Texas’ recent mid-decade redistricting process. Portions of the community that previously voted in different congressional districts are now located in either Congressional District 9 or Congressional District 18, making this the first time many voters in the area will cast ballots in those districts.
District 18 voters have experienced an unusual period of turnover in recent years, with the deaths of former U.S. representatives Sheila Jackson Lee and Sylvester Turner leading to a special election and another transition in representation. Voters there will now select a representative for a full term.
Among the highest-profile contests on the ballot is the U.S. Senate open-seat race between Democrat James Talarico, Libertarian Ted Brown and Republican Ken Paxton.
Congressional races
South Belt area voters may find themselves in one of three congressional districts on the ballot:
– Congressional District 9: Democrat Leticia Gutierrez faces Republican Alex Mealer in the open-seat race.
– Congressional District 18: Democrat Christian Menefee (former Harris County attorney) faces Republican Ronald Dwayne Whitfield in the open-seat contest.
– Congressional District 36: Democrat Rhonda Hart faces Republican Brian Babin (incumbent).
State legislative races
South Belt voters will also help decide several legislative races that directly affect representation in Austin.
In Texas Senate District 11, Democrat Shannon Dicely and Republican Dennis Paul are seeking the seat currently held by Mayes Middleton, who is running for Texas attorney general. Senate District 11 includes much of the South Belt, Clear Lake and Pasadena areas.
The race is part of a broader political reshuffling among local Republican officeholders. Paxton’s move into the U.S. Senate race opened the door for Middleton to seek the attorney general’s office, creating a vacancy in Senate District 11. That vacancy prompted Paul, currently the state representative for House District 129, to pursue the Senate seat, leaving his House position open as well.
Voters in Texas House District 129 will choose between Democrat Albert Wittliff and Republican Scott Bowen (former Clear Creek ISD board member) in the open-seat contest. The district includes portions of Southeast Houston, Clear Lake, Pasadena and neighboring communities.
Meanwhile, voters in Texas House District 144 will decide whether Democratic incumbent Mary Ann Perez can retain the seat against Republican challenger David Flores. House District 144 includes portions of Pasadena and communities near the eastern edge of the South Belt area.
The legislative contests are among the most significant local races on the ballot, as lawmakers elected to the Texas House and Senate will help shape state policy on public education, transportation, property taxes, public safety and other issues affecting residents throughout the region.
Statewide offices
Texas voters will also choose the state’s next governor, lieutenant governor and attorney general.
The governor’s race features Democrat Gina Hinojosa, Libertarian Pat Dixon and Republican Greg Abbott (incumbent).
For lieutenant governor, Democratic candidate Vikki Goodwin, Green Party candidate Kevin McCormick, Libertarian candidate Anthony Cristo and Republican Dan Patrick (incumbent) are on the ballot.
The open-seat contest for attorney general includes Democrat Nathan Johnson, Libertarian Tom Oxford and Republican Mayes Middleton.
Harris County offices
Several countywide positions that affect local government operations and services are also up for election.
Candidates for the open-seat county judge race to replace outgoing Lina Hidalgo are Democrat Letitia Plummer (former Houston City Council member).and Republican Orlando Sanchez (former Houston City Council member, Harris County treasurer).
In the county attorney special election to fill the unexpired term of Menefee (running for TX 18 congressional district), Democrat Abbie Kamin faces Republican Jacqueline Lucci Smith.
Other county contests include the following:
– County clerk: Democrat Teneshia Hudspeth (incumbent) faces Republican Mike Wolfe.
– County treasurer: Democrat Carla L. Wyatt (incumbent) faces Republican Marc Cowart.
– District clerk: Democrat Darrell Jordan Jr. faces Republican Chris Daniel (formerly held the position).
– Precinct 2, Place 2 justice of the peace: Democrat Dolores Lozano (incumbent) faces Republican Jack Ezell.
City of Houston charter amendment
Houston voters will also consider Proposition A, a city charter amendment that would require the Houston Police Department to make enforcement of Class A and Class B misdemeanor marijuana possession cases its lowest law-enforcement priority. The proposition would also prohibit Houston police officers from requesting or executing no-knock search warrants.
Under the proposal, voters will choose either “For” or “Against” the charter amendment.
Before heading to the polls
Because of the recent congressional redistricting changes, election officials encourage voters to review their sample ballots and verify which congressional district applies to their address before voting.
For additional information, to see a list of early voting locations or view a sample ballot, visit www.harrisvotes.com.
Wings Over Houston returns to Ellington
Annual airshow to celebrate USA’s 250th anniversary
The 2026 Wings Over Houston Airshow (WOHA), one of the region’s largest annual events, will return to Ellington Airport Oct. 31-Nov. 1.
Celebrating its 42nd consecutive year, the show will be headlined by two jet teams, the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds and the NASA “Freedom 250” F-5s. Tickets are available now at www.wingsoverhouston.com.
Making their Wings Over Houston debut, the Freedom 250 F-5s is a four-jet team created by NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman to celebrate America’s 250th birthday. The jets are painted in a commemorative red, white and blue scheme, and one will be on static display for an up-close look.
“For 42 years, Wings Over Houston has brought our community together to celebrate the very best of aviation,” said Bill Roach, executive director of WOHA. “There’s no better way to mark America’s 250th birthday than putting two headline jet teams in the sky over one show. Our Vietnam Heritage tribute will honor the veterans who are part of that story. And as always, we’ll spend the weekend doing what we do best, inspiring the next generation of pilots and aerospace leaders.”
The U.S. Air Force will also perform flying demonstrations with the C-17 Globemaster III and KC-46A Pegasus. Rounding out the flying lineup are fan favorites Tora! Tora! Tora!, the RE/MAX Skydive Team and The Pink Jet, an L-39 Albatros flown by women pilots to raise breast cancer awareness. The weekend’s Vietnam Heritage tribute features three rare warbirds. The Collings Foundation’s F-4D Phantom II, the world’s only airworthy example, anchors the flight. Joining it are the Foundation’s F-100F Super Sabre, one of just two still flying, and the Vietnam War Flight Museum’s A-4 Skyhawk.
On the ground, confirmed ramp highlights include the B-52 Stratofortress, C-5 Galaxy, KC-135 Stratotanker and the C-121A Constellation from Lewis Air Legends. Additional performers and attractions will be announced in the coming weeks.
The event opens with a drive-in style show on Friday, Oct. 30, followed by full show days Saturday and Sunday over Halloween weekend. Across the weekend, guests will enjoy hours of aerial performances, displays of vintage and modern aviation, interactive areas for children and adults, and the return of the fan-favorite Legends & Heroes tent, along with opportunities to give back to the community. United Airlines returns as the show’s exclusive airline sponsor.
The airshow is also a driving force behind the next generation of aviators.
Through its scholarship program, in partnership with renowned aerobatic pilot and WOHA board member Debby Rihn-Harvey, the show has awarded more than $250,000 to students pursuing aviation and aerospace careers over the past 10 years. This year’s recipients will be announced and recognized on-site during the show.
For additional details on ticket options, performers, display aircraft, event attractions, travel accommodations, sponsorship, or volunteer opportunities, visit www.wingsoverhouston.com.
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