Family District Judge, 311th Judicial District

Joe Radler

Republican

On ballot as: JOE RADLER
Current role: Family law attorney, The Radler Law Firm
Background: Bachelor's degree, Florida Atlantic University (2003)
Law degree, University of Houston Law Center (2012)
Runs a 501c3 non-profit, S.O.S. Legal Aid (per his 2026 candidate survey)
Experience: Most of his legal career devoted to family law, through The Radler Law Firm (per his 2026 candidate survey)
More than a decade representing families across Harris County (per campaign)
Top priorities: "Consistency in Applying the Law": "Rulings grounded in statute, precedent, and evidence, never personality or preference."
"Efficient Case Management": "Hearings move on time with clear communication that respects everyone's preparation."
"Respect for Litigants and Attorneys": "Litigants and attorneys are treated with dignity, regardless of circumstance."
"Set Clear Expectations": "Parties always know what is required, what comes next, and how to prepare."
2026 survey: plans on "utilizing "Zoom" to conduct most hearings and trials while reserving in-court time for more complicated cases"
Tidbits: Judicial philosophy: Campaign site: "Rulings grounded in statute, precedent, and evidence, never personality or preference."
Court administration: Campaign site: "Hearings move on time with clear communication that respects everyone's preparation."
Endorsements: The "C" Club of Houston
Campaign website: radlerlaw.com

Germaine Janet Tanner

Democratic Incumbent

On ballot as: GERMAINE JANET TANNER
Current role: Presiding Judge, 311th Family District Court, Harris County (elected November 6, 2018; sworn in January 1, 2019)
Background: B.A. in political science, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
J.D., Thurgood Marshall School of Law at Texas Southern University
Own law office, concentrating on family law (established 2003)
Experience: Re-elected November 8, 2022, defeating Gardner Eastland 51.2% to 48.8%
Before the bench: appointed amicus attorney, attorney ad litem, guardian ad litem and special master (per Ballotpedia)
Free "Brown Bag" continuing legal education seminars for attorneys, offered from the court (per campaign)
Top priorities: Mission statement she set for the court: "interpret and apply the law consistently and impartially; where appropriate, use discretion wisely"
Campaign site: the court "has established a generous preferential setting calendar, eliminated docket calls to expedite the hearing of cases"
Campaign site: the court "continues to permit attorneys, litigants, and witnesses to make virtual appearances when necessary"
Tidbits: Judicial philosophy: Her mission statement for the court: "interpret and apply the law consistently and impartially; where appropriate, use discretion wisely"
Court administration: Campaign site: the court "has established a generous preferential setting calendar, eliminated docket calls to expedite the hearing of cases"
Endorsements: Houston LGBTQ+ Political Caucus
Bay Area Democratic Movement
Houston Black American Democrats
Houston Association of Women Attorneys
Campaign website: judgegermainetanner.com