Abbie Kamin, the interim Harris County attorney, is running as a Democrat for the remainder of the unexpired term in the Nov. 3 general election. She faces Republican Jacqueline Lucci Smith.

Harris County Commissioners Court appointed Kamin on June 15, and she was sworn in June 16, becoming the first woman to serve as Harris County attorney. Kamin was born and raised in Houston.

Asked why she is running, Kamin said in our questionnaire, "I am the current County Attorney, and I am running to continue the work I've started. I'm leading the charge for Harris County families: taking on scammers and slumlords who prey on seniors and the vulnerable; cracking down on domestic abusers; standing up to polluters to protect our air and water; suing Trump and Abbott to protect our democracy; and holding greedy corporations accountable."

Candidate information

Party: "I am a Democrat," Kamin said in our questionnaire.

Education: "I earned a JD, cum laude, from American University Washington College of Law, and a BA, cum laude, from Tulane University," Kamin said in our questionnaire. "At Tulane, I was part of the 'Katrina Class,' propelling me into local government and coastal restoration efforts."

Family: "I met my husband Matt in law school and we are raising our amazing son in Houston.." Kamin said in our questionnaire.

Experience and public service

Previous and current offices: "I was appointed as County Attorney by the Harris County Commissioners Court on June 15, 2026. I was elected to the Houston City Council in 2019 and reelected in 2023," Kamin said in our questionnaire.

Occupation and work history: "I currently serve as Harris County Attorney, and previously served as the Houston City Council Member for District C," Kamin said in our questionnaire. "Before I became an elected official, I practiced law with a focus on general civil, and voting rights and civil rights litigation … I went on to serve as the Associate Regional Director for the Anti-Defamation League's SW Region and was a Committee Director and Clerk at the Texas Legislature."

Accomplishments: Asked what past accomplishments show she can handle the job, Kamin said in our questionnaire, "I have a proven record working as an attorney on voting rights issues and am the only candidate for County Attorney who has taken on Greg Abbott and won, helping to overturn his illegal voter suppression scheme. … I have successfully championed paid parental leave and prenatal wellness policies for the City of Houston, secured millions for flood mitigation projects, and fought for innovative solutions to tackling domestic violence and gun violence."

On the issues

Differences from opponent: "Our values are different, I believe in fighting for, and protecting, the rights of all residents in Harris County. I am a Democrat and she is a Trump Republican," Kamin said in our questionnaire. "As the current County Attorney, I also have significantly more experience. …"

Voting rights and democracy: Kamin said in a Community Impact questionnaire that her overriding priority is protecting every eligible voter's rights, free and fair elections and democracy. She said she would use the full authority of the county attorney's office to protect voter access and challenge unlawful state interference in Harris County elections.

Environmental protection: Kamin said in the Community Impact questionnaire that she would pursue civil enforcement actions for violations of environmental laws and take action against concrete batch plants near schools and neighborhoods.

Best advice: "The late Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg famously kept a framed ancient Hebrew phrase hanging in her Supreme Court chambers: 'Tzedek, tzedek tirdof' (Justice, justice you shall pursue)," Kamin said in our questionnaire. "These exact words now hang in my office as a guiding principle."