Raul Rodriguez, the Democratic incumbent for Harris County Criminal Court-at-Law Judge, Court 13, seeks re-election in the Nov. 3, 2026, Texas General Election. Republican Amber Cox is also running for the seat.

Asked why he is seeking re-election, Rodriguez said in our candidate questionnaire: "I seek elective office to ensure Harris County's judiciary reflects our community's rich diversity and treats every working person with dignity, fairness, and equal protection under the law … I am running for re-election to protect and expand the transformative 'Smart Justice' initiatives I have instituted on this bench."

Candidate information

Party: "My party affiliation is Democrat," Rodriguez said in our questionnaire.

Family: Rodriguez said: "I was born in Monterrey, Nuevo León, México. A few months after I was born, my father immigrated to Houston in pursuit of a better life, and my mother brought my older brother and me to join him when I was two. Growing up in Houston as the second oldest of six boys, I learned the values of family and sacrifice from my parents."

He added: "Today, I reside in Houston with my wife, Patricia Limón de Rodríguez, who recently embarked on her second career as an attorney."

Education: Rodriguez said: "I graduated from John H. Reagan High School in 1977. I attended and graduated from the University of Houston in December 1982 with a Bachelor of Business Administration with a major in Marketing. I attended and graduated from South Texas College of Law Houston in December 1991 with a Doctor of Jurisprudence."

Family in government: Rodriguez said: "To my knowledge, no one in my family works in politics. However, one of my brothers serves as a police officer with the Houston Police Department. Additionally, my sister-in-law, who is married to another of my brothers, works in the Domestic Violence Division at the Harris County District Attorney's Office in administrative support."

Experience and public service

Rodriguez said in our questionnaire: "Since January 2019, I have served as Judge of Harris County Criminal Court at Law No. 13. Prior to taking the county bench, I managed a private practice as an Attorney at Law with Raúl Rodríguez, P.C. from January 1992 to December 2018. During that time, I also served as an Associate Judge for the City of Houston Municipal Courts from November 2005 to December 2018."

According to his campaign website, Rodriguez also serves as presiding judge of Harris County's SOBER Court, a specialty court focused on substance abuse rehabilitation, and as co-chair of the Harris County Pre-trial Services and Community Supervision and Corrections Department Committee.

On the issues

Accomplishments: Asked what evidence he would cite for his ability to handle the job, Rodriguez said: "Before taking the bench, I spent 26 years as a trial attorney handling over 11,000 criminal cases, from Class C misdemeanors to capital murder, and tried 35 cases to jury verdicts. As a trained mediator and fluent Spanish speaker, I communicate directly with non-English speaking residents, eliminating language barriers and ensuring equal access to justice."

Differences from opponent: Asked what sets him apart, Rodriguez said: "As an immigrant who became a naturalized citizen at 18 specifically to vote, I bring a deeply personal commitment to equal protection, democracy, and public service." He is the incumbent. He added: "Unlike my opponent, I am the only candidate in this race with prior judicial experience. Having served 20 years on the bench, 13 as a Municipal Judge and nearly eight in Harris County Criminal Court at Law No. 13, I offer a track record of courtroom leadership and temperament that my challenger cannot match."

Best advice: Rodriguez said: "First, in life, your reputation is invaluable. Second, as an attorney, a truly fair justice system must reflect and respect the rich diversity of the community it serves. Third, as a public servant, it is important to treat everyone who enters the courtroom … with genuine dignity, courtesy, and respect."

Rodriguez has received endorsements from the AFL-CIO, Our Revolution Harris County, Our Revolution Texas, Houston Black American Democrats and the Greater Heights Democratic Club, according to BallotReady.