Texas Ballot Compare

General election · Tuesday, November 3, 2026

Nonpartisan voter guide · Texas

Judge, County Criminal Court at Law No. 3

Race · November 3, 2026 general election

Harris County
Vote for oneResearched · fact-checked
Leslie R. JohnsonRepublican Incumbent
Carlos Alberto AguayoCarlos Alberto AguayoDemocratic
On ballot as
LESLIE R. JOHNSON
CARLOS ALBERTO AGUAYO
Current role
Judge, Harris County Criminal Court at Law No. 3 (since January 1, 2023)
Attorney; has worked as both prosecutor and defense attorney (per campaign)
Background
  • 28+ years of legal experience (per Harris County Republican Party candidate page)
Not found
Experience
  • Current term ends January 1, 2027
  • Thousands of cases handled; 22 jury trials, including murder cases (per campaign)
Top priorities
Not found
  • "bring fairness, balance, and integrity to the courtroom"
  • "uphold the Constitution, ensure equal justice for all"
Tidbits
  • Judicial philosophy: No public statement found
  • Court administration: No public statement found
  • Judicial philosophy: Campaign site: "to uphold the Constitution, ensure equal justice for all, and make our county courts a place where fairness is not just promised, but delivered."
  • Court administration: No public statement found
Endorsements
  • The "C" Club of Houston
  • Houston Police Officers' Union
  • Texas Gulf Coast Area Labor Federation, AFL-CIO
  • Houston LGBTQ+ Political Caucus
  • Houston Association of Women Attorneys
Campaign website
Not found

Leslie R. Johnson

Republican Incumbent
On ballot as
LESLIE R. JOHNSON
Current role
Judge, Harris County Criminal Court at Law No. 3 (since January 1, 2023)
Background
  • 28+ years of legal experience (per Harris County Republican Party candidate page)
Experience
  • Current term ends January 1, 2027
Top priorities
Not found
Tidbits
  • Judicial philosophy: No public statement found
  • Court administration: No public statement found
Endorsements
  • The "C" Club of Houston
  • Houston Police Officers' Union
Campaign website
Not found
Carlos Alberto Aguayo

Carlos Alberto Aguayo

Democratic
On ballot as
CARLOS ALBERTO AGUAYO
Current role
Attorney; has worked as both prosecutor and defense attorney (per campaign)
Background
Not found
Experience
  • Thousands of cases handled; 22 jury trials, including murder cases (per campaign)
Top priorities
  • "bring fairness, balance, and integrity to the courtroom"
  • "uphold the Constitution, ensure equal justice for all"
Tidbits
  • Judicial philosophy: Campaign site: "to uphold the Constitution, ensure equal justice for all, and make our county courts a place where fairness is not just promised, but delivered."
  • Court administration: No public statement found
Endorsements
  • Texas Gulf Coast Area Labor Federation, AFL-CIO
  • Houston LGBTQ+ Political Caucus
  • Houston Association of Women Attorneys
Campaign website
aguayoforjudge.com