A new survey commissioned by the campaign of Democratic Harris County Judge nominee Dr. Letitia Plummer shows Plummer holding an early lead over Republican nominee Orlando Sanchez in the race for Harris County's top elected county office.

The survey, conducted by HIT Strategies from Aug. 14 through Aug. 20 among 600 likely general election voters in Harris County, found Plummer leading Sanchez 53% to 37% on an initial ballot, with 9% of respondents undecided.

After voters were presented with brief biographical information about both candidates, Plummer's support increased to 58%, while Sanchez received 36%, according to a memo released by HIT Strategies President and Founding Partner Terrance Woodbury.

The findings come as Plummer and Sanchez prepare for the Nov. 3 general election. Both candidates won their respective party nominations in the May primary runoff elections.

According to the survey memo, just over half of likely 2026 voters surveyed said they currently knew who Plummer is, suggesting that name recognition remains a factor in the race as the campaign moves closer to Election Day.

The poll also examined voter attitudes toward prominent political figures and how those views could affect the countywide contest. HIT Strategies said Sanchez's support could be affected by voter perceptions of national and statewide Republican leaders, including President Donald Trump, Gov. Greg Abbott and U.S. Senate candidate Ken Paxton.

The survey also explored the potential impact of the Harris County Judge race on other contests on the November ballot. According to the campaign-commissioned poll, Plummer outperformed Democratic U.S. Senate candidate James Talarico among younger Black voters by 7 points.

Harris County is the largest county in Texas and plays a significant role in statewide elections, making the county judge race one of the closely watched contests on the local ballot.

Woodbury said the poll's results indicate that Plummer begins the general election campaign with a significant advantage.

"Dr. Plummer is well-positioned to defeat Trump Republican Orlando Sanchez this November," Woodbury said. "With her support still growing and Sanchez's allies deeply unpopular with Harris County voters, this race represents a real opportunity. Her win can, and will, help power turnout for the entire Democratic ticket."

Because the survey was commissioned by the Plummer campaign, its findings represent polling conducted on behalf of one of the candidates and should be considered alongside other independent polling and voter data as the campaign continues.

Plummer, a dentist, community advocate and former Houston City Council member, is the Democratic nominee for Harris County Judge. Sanchez is the Republican nominee and a former Harris County treasurer and Houston City Council member.

Make Sure You Are Registered to Vote

The last day to register to vote for the Nov. 3, 2026, General Election is Monday, Oct. 5, 2026, according to the Texas Secretary of State.

Harris County voters can find election information, including voting dates and other resources, through the Harris County Elections Department.