2026 Texas General Election

2026 Texas General Runoff

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Dan Simons is from Humble, Texas. He has a bachelor 27s degree in business from Sam Houston State University and a law degree from Texas Southern University. He served in the United States Air Force and received an honorable discharge. 

Governor Abbott Appoints Simons To 496th Judicial District Court ...

Republican Dan Simons is running for Harris County DA. He says ...

Dan is from Humble, Texas. He has a bachelor s degree in business from Sam Houston State University and a law degree from Texas Southern University. 

Dan is a judge of the Texas 496th District Court. He is also a criminal defense attorney and the owner of Dan Simons Law Firm. He previously worked as an attorney for the Thiessen Law Firm and as an assistant district attorney for the Harris County District Attorney's Office. He served in the United States Air Force and received an honorable discharge. 

Dan Simons - Ballotpedia

Dan is the owner of Dan Simons Law Firm. He previously worked as an attorney for the Thiessen Law Firm and as an assistant district attorney for the Harris County District Attorney's Office. He served in the United States Air Force and received an honorable discharge. 

Dan is currently a judge of the Texas 496th District Court. He was appointed by Governor Greg Abbott in January 2025. His current term ends on December 31, 2026.

Dan Simons is currently a judge of the Texas 496th District Court. He was appointed by Governor Greg Abbott in January 2025. His current term ends on December 31, 2026.

Said, "Most prosecutors get 22 trials in that period of time, I did over 70. I have been a defense attorney for longer than I was a prosecutor."

- Said, "Most prosecutors get 22 trials in that period of time, I did over 70. I have been a defense attorney for longer than I was a prosecutor."

Legal Experience

Supports fully funding the justice system to hire more personnel and "seasoned prosecutors" to process the massive backlog of cases in Harris County (which exceeded 100,000 cases following Hurricane Harvey).

Advocates for changing the "toxic culture" often found in large bureaucratic legal offices, emphasizing teamwork and support for staff to prevent high turnover and ensure consistent justice.

- Supports fully funding the justice system to hire more personnel and "seasoned prosecutors" to process the massive backlog of cases in Harris County (which exceeded 100,000 cases following Hurricane Harvey).
- Advocates for changing the "toxic culture" often found in large bureaucratic legal offices, emphasizing teamwork and support for staff to prevent high turnover and ensure consistent justice.

Judicial Administration

As a prosecutor, he followed a personal standard of only proceeding with cases he believed in "beyond all doubt," a mindset he brings to the bench to ensure innocent individuals are not wrongfully convicted.

Advocates for taking politics out of the judicial system and the DA’s office, focusing strictly on the law and the facts.

Believes "justice delayed is justice denied."

- As a prosecutor, he followed a personal standard of only proceeding with cases he believed in "beyond all doubt," a mindset he brings to the bench to ensure innocent individuals are not wrongfully convicted.
- Advocates for taking politics out of the judicial system and the DA’s office, focusing strictly on the law and the facts.
- Believes "justice delayed is justice denied."

Judicial Philosophy

As of July 22, 2026, Dan Simons’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Ethics & Conduct

Community Involvement

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Dan Simons

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Ramona Franklin is from St. Petersburg, Florida. She has a bachelor's degree from Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University and a master's degree in sports administration. She is a member of Brookhollow Baptist Church.

Judicial Limelight: Ramona Franklin | Lawdragon

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Life at the Harris County Criminal Justice Center

Ramona Franklin - Ballotpedia

Ramona Franklin is from St. Petersburg, Florida. She has a bachelor's degree in English language and literature from Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University, a master's degree in sports administration from Lynn University, and a law degree from the Thomas M. Cooley Law School. She lives with her husband, Roderick, in Houston, Texas, and is a member of the Brookhollow Baptist Church.

Ramona is an attorney. She started her legal career at the Harris County District Attorney's Office. After a while, she opened her own practice. 

Ramona Franklin for Judge

Ramona is an attorney at her own private practice and as a visiting judge for the state of Texas. She previously worked as an assistant district attorney at the Harris County District Attorney's Office. She also worked as a legal intern fro Sixty Plus, Inc Elderlaw Clinic.

Ramona is currently the presiding judge for the 338th Judicial District Court in the Harris County Criminal Justice system.

Defense attorneys group files complaint against District Judge ...

Ramona previously served as the judge for the Texas 338th Judicial District Court. She served two terms from 2016 to 2024. She previously ran for the Place 7 judge of the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals in 2018, but did not win.

As an assistant district attorney at the Harris County District Attorney's Office, prosecuted civil and criminal cases under state law on behalf of the district attorney’s office.

As a judge for the Texas 338th Judicial District Court, oversaw all felony, probate, and civil cases, ruled in all civil actions against the state seeking financial payment, and exercised authority to review and correct the rulings of lower courts.

- As an assistant district attorney at the Harris County District Attorney's Office, prosecuted civil and criminal cases under state law on behalf of the district attorney’s office.
- As a judge for the Texas 338th Judicial District Court, oversaw all felony, probate, and civil cases, ruled in all civil actions against the state seeking financial payment, and exercised authority to review and correct the rulings of lower courts.

During COVID, did not allow lawyers to enter the court to stand with clients.

- During COVID, did not allow lawyers to enter the court to stand with clients.

As of July 22, 2026, Ramona Franklin did not have a website or any information online.

Judicial Misconduct Complaint

Editorial: Need a reason to support felony bail reform? Judge ...

Had a formal complaint filed against her by the Texas Criminal Defense Lawyers Association and the Harris County Lawyers Association for illegally revoking defendants' bonds and denying bail.

- Had a formal complaint filed against her by the Texas Criminal Defense Lawyers Association and the Harris County Lawyers Association for illegally revoking defendants' bonds and denying bail.

Involved in community service through teaching as an adjunct professor and volunteering with organizations such as the Houston Volunteer Lawyer program, NAACP Pro Bono Legal Defense Program, and the Diamond in the Rough Mentor Program.

- Involved in community service through teaching as an adjunct professor and volunteering with organizations such as the Houston Volunteer Lawyer program, NAACP Pro Bono Legal Defense Program, and the Diamond in the Rough Mentor Program.

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Ramona Franklin

- District judges manage Texas district courts, which are trial courts with general jurisdiction, and have exclusive authority over felony cases. A judge may be presiding over a civil, criminal, juvenile, or special court. They also share jurisdiction with Texas county courts.
- Texas has over 470 district courts, each presided over by a single judge. Some courts cover multiple counties, while others are assigned to single counties based on population size.
- District judges are elected through partisan elections for four-year terms. Candidates must be between 25 and 75 years old, have lived in the district for at least 2 years, and be licensed lawyers with at least 4 years' experience.
- The annual salary for district judges ranges from $175,000 to $245,500, depending on years of service.

Presides over a trial court with general jurisdiction. 

Texas District Judge, District 496

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Legal Experience

Judicial Administration

Judicial Philosophy

Ethics & Conduct

Community Involvement