2026 Texas General Election

2026 Texas General Runoff

Nonpartisan

Sonia is a Fort Bend County resident for 17 years. She earned a bachelor's degree in political science,  a master’s degree in international relations/economics, and a law degree from Texas Southern University. She is a proud wife, and mother of two daughters.

Judge Sonia Rash

Welcome to Fort Bend County Justice of the Peace, Precinct 3, Place 1.

Judge Sonia Rash took office on January 1, 2023.

Justice of the Peace, Precinct 3
Vote For 1
Absentee Early Voting Election
Day TOTAL
REP Justin M. Joyce 27,069 6,771 859 19,439
DEM Sonia Rash 31,220 8,063 1,645 21,512
Total Votes Cast 58,289 14,834 2,504 40,951
Precincts Reporting 57 of 57

Fort Bend County Accumulated Totals (General Election, November 8, 2022) [PDF]

Sonia Rash was elected justice of the peace for Fort Bend County Precinct 3, Place 1 in 2022 and took office on January 1, 2023.

Fort Bend County Accumulated Totals (General Election — November 8, 2022) — Unofficial Results (Electionware)

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

Legal Experience

January kicked off with important transitions for both the court and our community as everyone adjusted to the new precinct lines. Judge Sonia Rash ensured her staff was fully up to date on the new eviction laws now in effect, as well as the updated precinct assignments for all small claims and traffic tickets filed with the court.

issue #21 (JP3 Newsletter)

Many working individuals face the difficult choice between attending court and keeping their jobs. To address this, Judge Sonia Rash implemented Night Court sessions—offering extended evening hours for court proceedings. Judge Rash has become the first and only Justice of the Peace in her county to create a night court designed to serve working families. This helps to ensure that everyone has the opportunity to resolve legal matters without sacrificing their income, job security, or family responsibilities.

Sonia Rash | Justice of the Peace, Precinct 3

Through efficient case management, innovative scheduling, and a dedicated team effort, I successfully eliminated case backlogs in our court-ensuring that justice moves swiftly and fairly for everyone. By streamling court processes, expanding access through night court sessions, and using technology to improve efficiency, we have transformed delays into timely resolutions.

To make the justice system more accessible, after taking office Judge Sonia Rash began offering video conference hearings as a standard option. This has allowed individuals to attend court without the burden of taking time off work, arranging childcare, or traveling long distances.

Sonia Rash supports offering virtual hearings and evening court sessions to better serve working families and increase access to justice for all. Virtual Hearings & Services – Continue building out online platforms so citizens can attend hearings, file documents, or access resources remotely and conveniently. Fee Community Mediation Programs- Develop alternatives to formal hearings, such as mediation sessions, to help resolve disputes quickly and fairly.

LANGUAGE ACCESS

Expand translation services to ensure all residents feel represented and understood.

LEGAL RESOURCE CORNER

Create a public area in the courthouse with brochures and links to self-help forms and community resources. In addition to partnering with local bar associations or legal aid to provide indigent citizens a resource.

Ensured court staff were updated on new eviction laws and precinct assignments for filings.

As a Justice of the Peace, implemented evening Night Court sessions for court proceedings.

Said she eliminated the court's case backlog through case management, scheduling, Night Court, and technology.

As a Justice of the Peace, began offering video conference hearings as a standard option.

Plans to expand online platforms for remote hearings, document filing, and access to resources.

Proposes mediation sessions as alternatives to formal hearings to resolve disputes.

Plans to expand court translation services.

Proposes a courthouse resource area with self-help forms, community resources, and legal-aid partnerships.

- Ensured court staff were updated on new eviction laws and precinct assignments for filings.
- As a Justice of the Peace, implemented evening Night Court sessions for court proceedings.
- Said she eliminated the court's case backlog through case management, scheduling, Night Court, and technology.
- As a Justice of the Peace, began offering video conference hearings as a standard option.
- Plans to expand online platforms for remote hearings, document filing, and access to resources.
- Proposes mediation sessions as alternatives to formal hearings to resolve disputes.
- Plans to expand court translation services.
- Proposes a courthouse resource area with self-help forms, community resources, and legal-aid partnerships.

Judicial Administration

Expanding Access to Justice
Since taking office, Judge Rash has made it her mission to ensure that every person who enters her courtroom is treated with dignity and respect. She is the only Justice of the Peace in Fort Bend County to offer Night Court for working families, free community outreach and educational programs, and a dedicated resource area for both legal and non-legal needs.

About | Sonia Rash

Sonia Rash supports offering virtual hearings and evening court sessions to better serve working families and increase access to justice for all.

Sonia Rash is dedicated to improving court operations through streamlined processes, timely case handling, and upholding the highest standards of professionalism and respect for all.

Prioritizes treating every person who enters the courtroom with dignity and respect.

Prioritizes streamlined court processes, timely case handling, professionalism, and respect for all.

- Prioritizes treating every person who enters the courtroom with dignity and respect.
- Prioritizes streamlined court processes, timely case handling, professionalism, and respect for all.

Judicial Philosophy

Ethics & Conduct

Judge Rash also organized a full-day voter registration drive at Dulles High School. Over 50 students were successfully registered just before the cutoff date for the March elections!

Knowledge is power, especially when it comes to understanding your legal rights. After taking office, Sonia organized regular community seminars focused on practical legal topics for all Fort Bend Citizens. These free events provided residents with valuable tools and information to better protect themselves, their families, and their futures—while building stronger trust between the court and the community.

I am proud to provide internship opportunities for both high school and college students, giving young people a chance to gain firsthand experience in the justice system and public service. These experiences allow young people to learn, grow, and see firsthand how public service impacts our community. Guiding students on their journey not only strengthens their confidence but also inspires them to become future leaders.

Organized a voter registration drive at Dulles High School that registered over 50 students.

Organized free community seminars on practical legal topics for Fort Bend residents.

Provides high school and college students with internships in the justice system and public service.

- Organized a voter registration drive at Dulles High School that registered over 50 students.
- Organized free community seminars on practical legal topics for Fort Bend residents.
- Provides high school and college students with internships in the justice system and public service.

Community Involvement

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Sonia Rash

- As a Justice of the Peace, implemented evening Night Court sessions for court proceedings.
- Said she eliminated the court's case backlog through case management, scheduling, Night Court, and technology.
- As a Justice of the Peace, began offering video conference hearings as a standard option.
- Plans to expand online platforms for remote hearings, document filing, and access to resources.
- Proposes mediation sessions as alternatives to formal hearings to resolve disputes.
- Plans to expand court translation services.
- Proposes a courthouse resource area with self-help forms, community resources, and legal-aid partnerships.

- Organized free community seminars on practical legal topics for Fort Bend residents.
- Provides high school and college students with internships in the justice system and public service.

Sonia Rash earned a bachelor's degree in political science from Our Lady of the Lake University, a master's degree in international relations with a focus on economics from St. Mary's University, and a law degree from Texas Southern University. She is married and has two children.

Sonia Rash previously practiced law privately, handling legal matters. She is licensed in Texas and in the Southern District of Texas.

- Practiced law privately before her election, handling a wide array of legal matters.

- As a justice of the peace, she implemented evening court sessions and standard video hearings to expand access to court proceedings.
- Said she eliminated the court's case backlog through case management, scheduling, streamlined processes, night court, and technology.
- Proposes community mediation programs as alternatives to formal hearings to resolve disputes quickly and fairly.
- Proposes expanding translation services for court users.
- Proposes a courthouse resource area with self-help forms, community resources, and referrals to bar associations or legal aid.
- Proposes partnering with schools to address absenteeism through counseling, community involvement, and peer discussions rather than punishment.

- Prioritizes treating every person who enters the courtroom with dignity and respect.

- Organized regular community seminars on practical legal topics for Fort Bend County residents.
- Provides high school and college students with internships in the justice system and public service.
- Served as vice president of LULAC Chapter 2911.
- Served as third vice president of the NAACP of Missouri City and the surrounding vicinity.
- Served on the board of directors of S.M.I.L.E., a student mentoring program.

Sonia is from Houston, Texas. She attended the High School for the Performing and Visual Arts. She has a bachelor’s degree in political science from Our Lady of the Lake University, a master’s degree in international relations from St. Mary’s University, and a law degree from Thurgood Marshall School of Law. She lives with her husband and two daughters in Fort Bend County.

Sonia Rash is currently the Justice of the Peace for Fort Bend County Precinct 3. She took office on January 1, 2023, and is serving her first term.

Sonia Rash is from Houston, Texas. She has a bachelor's degree in political science from Our Lady of the Lake University, a master's degree in international relations and economics from St. Mary's University, and a law degree from Texas Southern University. She is a wife and mother of two daughters. Sonia has lived in Fort Bend County for 17 years.

Sonia is a judge for Fort Bend County Justice of the Peace Precinct 3. She previously had a private law practice where she handled a wide array of legal matters. She also served as a law clerk for the 269th Civil District Court in Harris County. 

Sonia is currently a Fort Bend County Justice of the Peace for Precinct 3. She took office on January 1, 2023.

Buket Urgen

Mauricio Mendez

William Ferguson is a husband and father.

William has served with the Stafford Police Department, Fort Bend County Sheriff’s Office, Precinct 4 Constable’s Office, and now as a Reserve Lieutenant with Precinct 1.

William Ferguson is currently an At-Large Sugar Land City Council member representing Sugar Land, Texas. He was elected in 2020 and has served one term.

Candidate Information | Sugar Land, TX - Official Website

Hometown Heroes: William Ferguson | Fort Bend Focus Magazine

Has 33 years of experience as a Texas peace officer.

- Has 33 years of experience as a Texas peace officer.

Claims he will "respond quickly and responsibly to mental-health warrant needs — something our hospitals, law enforcement, and families depend on."

- Claims he will "respond quickly and responsibly to mental-health warrant needs — something our hospitals, law enforcement, and families depend on."

Wants to "ensure fairness in every decision, guided by my decades of real-world experience serving our county."

Supports protecting "the conservative values that built Fort Bend County: responsibility, accountability, faith, family, and freedom."

Aims to serve with "humility and compassion, knowing that every person who stands before the court is someone’s neighbor, someone’s child, someone who deserves to be treated with dignity."

- Wants to "ensure fairness in every decision, guided by my decades of real-world experience serving our county."
- Supports protecting "the conservative values that built Fort Bend County: responsibility, accountability, faith, family, and freedom."
- Aims to serve with "humility and compassion, knowing that every person who stands before the court is someone’s neighbor, someone’s child, someone who deserves to be treated with dignity."

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

Supports community involvement through volunteer work and non-profit organizations.

- Supports community involvement through volunteer work and non-profit organizations.

William Ferguson

- Justices of the Peace oversee Justice Courts, trial courts for civil cases up to $20,000, and misdemeanor cases punishable only by fine. They also perform marriages, issue warrants, conduct preliminary hearings, and serve as notaries.
- Texas has 835 Justice Courts, each presided over by a single judge. Every county has between one and eight precincts based on the county's population, each with its own Justice Court.
- Justices of the Peace are elected through partisan, precinct-wide election to four-year terms. 
- Candidates must be a U.S. citizen, at least 18 years old, have been a Texas resident for at least 12 consecutive months, a district resident for at least six consecutive months, and registered to vote in that precinct.
- The annual salary for Justices of the Peace ranges from $19,207 to $151,805 and is by the county's Commissioners Court.


Presides over civil cases and fine-only misdemeanor cases.

Fort Bend Justice of the Peace, Justice Precinct 3, Seat 1

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Legal Experience

Judicial Administration

Judicial Philosophy

Ethics & Conduct

Community Involvement