Texas Ballot Compare

General election · Tuesday, November 3, 2026

Nonpartisan voter guide · Texas

Judge, County Criminal Court at Law No. 15

Race · November 3, 2026 general election

Harris County
Vote for oneResearched · fact-checked
Stephen C. St. MartinStephen C. St. MartinRepublican
Tonya JonesTonya JonesDemocratic Incumbent
On ballot as
STEPHEN C. ST. MARTIN
TONYA JONES
Current role
Criminal defense attorney in private practice
Judge, Harris County Criminal Court at Law No. 15 (first elected 2018; since January 1, 2019; re-elected 2022)
Background
  • Police officer before law school (per campaign)
  • Graduate, Jesse H. Jones Senior High School
  • B.A. in political science, Baylor University
  • J.D., Southern University Law Center
  • Native Houstonian
Experience
  • Harris County Assistant District Attorney, 17 years (per campaign)
  • Briefs on criminal appeals and writs for an appellate court (per campaign)
  • 35-year legal career (per campaign)
  • Co-Presiding Judge, 16 county criminal courts; second six-month term from Jan. 1, 2026 (per court news release, Jan. 9, 2026)
  • Former local administrative judge, 20 Harris County Courts at Law (two-year term)
  • Former criminal defense attorney
  • Former legal fellow, Travis County Juvenile Public Defender's Office
Top priorities
  • "End the Backlog"
  • "I will fix that by starting on time and working efficiently."
  • "I will ensure that justice is not delayed while remaining fair and impartial."
  • "engaging, educating, and empowering — from the community to the courtroom"
  • "fairness, preparation, compassion, and respect for every person who enters the courtroom"
Tidbits
  • Judicial philosophy: Campaign site: "I will ensure that justice is not delayed while remaining fair and impartial."
  • Court administration: Campaign site: "I will fix that by starting on time and working efficiently."
  • Judicial philosophy: Campaign site: "I remain committed to fairness, preparation, compassion, and respect for every person who enters the courtroom."
  • Court administration: No public statement found
Endorsements
  • The "C" Club of Houston
  • Texas Gulf Coast Area Labor Federation, AFL-CIO
  • Houston LGBTQ+ Political Caucus
  • Houston Black American Democrats
  • Houston Association of Women Attorneys
Campaign website
stmartinforjudge.com
judgetonyajones.com
Stephen C. St. Martin

Stephen C. St. Martin

Republican
On ballot as
STEPHEN C. ST. MARTIN
Current role
Criminal defense attorney in private practice
Background
  • Police officer before law school (per campaign)
Experience
  • Harris County Assistant District Attorney, 17 years (per campaign)
  • Briefs on criminal appeals and writs for an appellate court (per campaign)
  • 35-year legal career (per campaign)
Top priorities
  • "End the Backlog"
  • "I will fix that by starting on time and working efficiently."
  • "I will ensure that justice is not delayed while remaining fair and impartial."
Tidbits
  • Judicial philosophy: Campaign site: "I will ensure that justice is not delayed while remaining fair and impartial."
  • Court administration: Campaign site: "I will fix that by starting on time and working efficiently."
Endorsements
  • The "C" Club of Houston
Campaign website
stmartinforjudge.com
Tonya Jones

Tonya Jones

Democratic Incumbent
On ballot as
TONYA JONES
Current role
Judge, Harris County Criminal Court at Law No. 15 (first elected 2018; since January 1, 2019; re-elected 2022)
Background
  • Graduate, Jesse H. Jones Senior High School
  • B.A. in political science, Baylor University
  • J.D., Southern University Law Center
  • Native Houstonian
Experience
  • Co-Presiding Judge, 16 county criminal courts; second six-month term from Jan. 1, 2026 (per court news release, Jan. 9, 2026)
  • Former local administrative judge, 20 Harris County Courts at Law (two-year term)
  • Former criminal defense attorney
  • Former legal fellow, Travis County Juvenile Public Defender's Office
Top priorities
  • "engaging, educating, and empowering — from the community to the courtroom"
  • "fairness, preparation, compassion, and respect for every person who enters the courtroom"
Tidbits
  • Judicial philosophy: Campaign site: "I remain committed to fairness, preparation, compassion, and respect for every person who enters the courtroom."
  • Court administration: No public statement found
Endorsements
  • Texas Gulf Coast Area Labor Federation, AFL-CIO
  • Houston LGBTQ+ Political Caucus
  • Houston Black American Democrats
  • Houston Association of Women Attorneys
Campaign website
judgetonyajones.com

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