Beverly D. Armstrong, the Democratic incumbent on Harris County's 208th Criminal District Court, is seeking reelection in the Nov. 3, 2026, general election.
Armstrong took the bench Jan. 1, 2023. In a candidate questionnaire, she wrote that she initially ran "to improve the justice system and implement strategies to increase community faith and trust in the judiciary." She said she is seeking a second term because "there is still plenty of work left to be done" to reduce the backlog and speed up case resolution.
Candidate information
- Party: Democratic
- Office sought: Texas District Court Judge, District 208 (Harris County)
- Hometown: Born in Beaumont, Texas; Houston resident since 1990
- Education: Bachelor's degree in civil engineering, Prairie View A&M University (1990); law degree, South Texas College of Law Houston (1996)
- Family: Married with two children
- Community involvement: Communion steward and trustee at her church; member of the Association of Women Attorneys, Houston Lawyers Association, Humble Area Democrats, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc. (Mu Kappa Omega Chapter) and the National Black Prosecutors Association
- Endorsements: AFL-CIO; Houston Black American Democrats; Harris County Democratic Party; Greater Heights Democratic Club
Experience and public service
Armstrong began her legal career in 1999 in probate, guardianship and bankruptcy law. She shifted to criminal prosecution in 2006 as a misdemeanor prosecutor in Polk County before advancing to felony cases.
In 2014, she was recruited to the Galveston County District Attorney's Office, where she served as court chief and later as child abuse division chief. In 2018, she was recruited back to Polk County as first assistant criminal district attorney, a role she held until ascending to the Harris County bench.
Her legal career spans 27 years. Armstrong wrote in the questionnaire that it reflects "a track record of steady progression in leadership responsibilities," including managing office staff, mentoring attorneys and handling high-profile criminal cases.
On the issues
Caseload and court efficiency
Armstrong cited her court's caseload reduction as evidence she can handle the job. According to her campaign, during her first term she tried 35 cases and maintained a clearance rate of 156% as of April 2025. She wrote that pending cases in the 208th dropped from more than 2,200 to fewer than 800 as of September 2026, a 66% decrease. Cases older than one year fell from more than 900 to fewer than 120, an 87% decrease.
Bonds and public safety
Armstrong's stated positions include high bonds for serious crimes and stiff bond conditions. She also lists "no bonds granted when constitutional procedures are followed" among her positions.
Government reform
Armstrong wrote that she supports decisions based on "verifiable information not misinformation" and is "focused on people not politics." She also advocates working within the Constitution rather than, in her words, "weaponizing the Constitution."
