Criminal District Judge, 495th Judicial District

Lori Ann Deangelo

Republican Incumbent

On ballot as: LORI ANN DEANGELO
Current role: Judge, 495th District Court, Harris County (appointed by Gov. Greg Abbott, Dec. 19, 2024; effective Jan. 1, 2025)
Background: Bachelor of Science in journalism, University of Florida
Law degree, Baylor Law School
Lives in Spring
Experience: Previously appointed by Abbott to the 487th District Court
Ran for 487th District Court seat (November 2024 general election); lost
Assistant District Attorney, Harris County District Attorney's Office (over 20 years)
Former attorney in private practice
Republican primary (March 3, 2026): advanced
Top priorities: "Public safety. Victims' rights. The rule of law."
Campaign: she has focused on "a tight, lawful docket: victims heard, cases prepared, and serious offenders not treated as a revolving door"
Tidbits: Judicial philosophy: Campaign site: "Public safety. Victims' rights. The rule of law."
Court administration: Campaign site: says she has focused on "a tight, lawful docket: victims heard, cases prepared, and serious offenders not treated as a revolving door"
Endorsements: Houston Police Officers' Union
"C" Club of Houston
Campaign website: lorideangelo.com

Tiffany M. Hill

Democratic

On ballot as: TIFFANY M. HILL
Current role: Criminal defense attorney (per her Ballotpedia survey)
Background: Graduate, Lyndon B. Johnson High School
Bachelor's degree, Texas Southern University (2008)
Law degree, Texas Southern University's Thurgood Marshall School of Law (2012)
Master of Public Administration (per campaign)
Born and raised in Austin (per campaign)
Experience: Criminal defense attorney, over 10 years (per candidate)
Former felony associate judge, Harris County (per candidate)
Served as president, Houston Lawyers' Association (per campaign)
Taught as an adjunct professor, Thurgood Marshall School of Law (per campaign)
Democratic primary (March 3, 2026): advanced
Top priorities: "My goal if elected is to run an organized, efficient courtroom; applying the law fairly, and making legally sound, timely rulings."
"I will make sure that victims' voices are heard and valued throughout the process."
"Accountability and second chances are not mutually exclusive."
Tidbits: Judicial philosophy: In a Ballotpedia survey: "As a judge, my role is not partisan but principled."
Court administration: In a Ballotpedia survey: "My goal if elected is to run an organized, efficient courtroom; applying the law fairly, and making legally sound, timely rulings."
Endorsements: Texas Gulf Coast Area Labor Federation, AFL-CIO
Houston Black American Democrats
Houston LGBTQ+ Political Caucus
Houston Association of Women Attorneys
Bay Area Democratic Movement
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Greater Heights Democratic Club (primary)
Run Sister Run (listed by campaign)
Campaign website: hillfor495.com