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

Ethics & Conduct

Community Involvement

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Dan Simons

- 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.