Tarrant County 2026 Election: Who’s Running & What Voters Need to Know

Tarrant County 2026 Election: A Complete Guide to Local Candidates & Races

As Tarrant County gears up for the 2026 election cycle, voters will see a wide array of local offices up for grabs — from the high-profile county judge race to judicial seats, administrative roles, and justice courts. Getting familiar with who’s running — and what each office does — is key to a well-informed vote.

Primary elections are set for March 3, 2026 (deadline to register: Feb 2, 2026) with the general election on Nov 3, 2026.

Countywide Offices

These are offices whose jurisdiction covers all of Tarrant County:

County Judge

The County Judge presides over the Commissioners Court, setting county policy and budget.

• Tim O’Hare (R) – incumbent seeking reelection
• Robert Buker (R) – challenger
• Alisa Simmons (D) – current commissioner running Democratic primary
• Millennium Anton C. Woods (D) – Democratic challenger
  

(Note: Rep. Marc Veasey withdrew from the race after filing.)

District Attorney

The chief prosecutor for felony crimes in Tarrant County:

• Phil Sorrells (R) – current District Attorney (likely up for reelection though specific challengers have not been widely reported yet).

County Clerk & District Clerk

These administrative offices manage public records and court filings:

• Mary Louise Nicholson (R) – County Clerk (term ends 2026)
• Tom Wilder (R) – District Clerk (term ends 2026)
  

Both offices will be on the 2026 ballot per the official list of offices up for election.

Judicial Races

These races decide who sits on the bench in civil, criminal, and family courts:

District Court Judges

Several district court seats covering civil, criminal, family, and juvenile law are on the ballot in 2026. These include, but are not limited to:

• 141st, 236th, 297th, 371st, 372nd, 432nd & 485th District Courts (4-Year Terms)
• Criminal District Judges Courts No. 1, 3, 4
• Family District Courts (231st, 233rd, 322nd, 323rd, 324th, 325th)
  

These judicial seats are up for election; candidate filings for each will determine who appears on the March primary ballot.

Note: Most judges in these races either run unopposed in the primary or have challengers whose names are posted once filings are certified by the county. Detailed candidate lists are typically published by Ballotpedia or the Tarrant County Elections Office as the filing information is finalized.

County and Probate Court Judges

Statutory county courts covering major civil and probate matters are also on the ballot:

• County Court at Law Nos. 1–3
• County Criminal Courts Nos. 1–10
• County Probate Courts Nos. 1 & 2
  

Each of these positions carries a four-year term and will be decided by voters in 2026.

Justice of the Peace & Magistrate Courts

Justice of the Peace (JP) judges preside over small claims, landlord-tenant matters, truancy, and magistrate duties (like setting bail).

• Multiple Justice of the Peace Precincts (Precinct Nos. 1–8) are up for election.
  

These local positions often fly under the radar but play a direct role in everyday justice and community governance.

Other Key Local Offices

In addition to judicial posts, Tarrant County voters will also vote for:

• County Commissioners (Precincts 2 & 4) — with competitive fields including Gabe Rivas, Tony Tinderholt, Amanda Arizola, Lucila Seri, and others.
• State Party Chairs — Republican and Democratic county party leadership positions.

Why This Election Matters

The 2026 ballot in Tarrant County is one of the most consequential in recent years, not just for national or statewide races, but for local governance that affects daily life — from how your courts operate to how county services are administered.

Whether District Court judges deciding civil and criminal cases, Justice of the Peace courts handling local disputes, or the County Clerk maintaining public records, these positions are foundational to the functioning of local government.

How to Stay Informed & Vote

✔️ Check Your Registration — Deadline: Feb 2, 2026
✔️ Plan to Vote in the Primary — March 3, 2026
✔️ General Election — Nov 3, 2026
✔️ Visit the Tarrant County Elections website to view sample ballots and candidate lists.