Criminal District Judge, 184th Judicial District: who gets your vote?
What this role does
Criminal district judges hear felony criminal cases and manage court proceedings under criminal law.
Their rulings affect criminal trials and the rights of people involved.
- Felony cases
- Criminal trial proceedings
Read about them. Then tap a button to pick one. You can change it later.
Data last updated: Oct 31, 2026 (state and local ballot sources). Verify approaching elections with your state election office.
Our reading of the duties, not an official requirement. Doesn't rank or recommend anyone.
AI can make mistakes. Check the source links.
HEATHER HUDSON
Running for Criminal District Judge, 184th Judicial District · Texas
StateRepublican Party / Partido Republicano
KATHERINE "KAT" THOMAS
Running for Criminal District Judge, 184th Judicial District · Texas
StateDemocratic Party / Partido Demócrata
Job fit
HEATHER HUDSON
- On October 12, 2026, the Houston Chronicle described Hudson as a Republican Harris County prosecutor working in the felony appellate division. 1
- Hudson described her appellate work as being a “defense attorney for judges” whose cases are appealed. 1
- The Chronicle reported in October 2026 that Hudson had not tried any cases as a criminal prosecutor. 1
KATHERINE "KAT" THOMAS
- The Chronicle reported in October 2026 that Thomas's court had more than 2,100 pending cases when she took the bench and 594 through September 2026. 1
- Thomas said she offered the family Zoom viewing in a witness room; the Chronicle reported that this effort was absent from the transcripts used by the appellate court. 1
- In her July 2022 interview, Thomas said she handled and tried cases as an assistant district attorney and had balanced an average caseload exceeding 2,000 cases. 2
Past rulings
HEATHER HUDSON
Nothing found for this candidate yet.
KATHERINE "KAT" THOMAS
Thomas piloted the Emerging Adult Docket for young, nonviolent offenders, connecting participants with mental health treatment, substance-use rehabilitation, housing support and career placement, according to the Chronicle. 1
Says who: Houston Chronicle editorial reports · Date: not given
The Chronicle reported that in May 2026, the 14th Court of Appeals reversed a capital murder conviction because Thomas violated courtroom-access rights by excluding the defendant's family during jury selection. 1
Says who: Houston Chronicle editorial reports a reversal; not independently verified against an opinion here · Date: not given
Who pays them
We haven't found campaign money records for either candidate yet.
Checks
No checks have run for either candidate yet.
Based on current data. May change in a future update.
Sources
- Harris County should keep these 9 Democratic felony court ... · checked 2026-10-31 used in: Experience, Past rulings
- Hidden Gems: Meet Katherine Thomas - Voyage Houston Magazine | Houston City Guide · checked 2026-10-31 used in: Experience
- Texas Judiciary: district trial courts · checked 2026-10-30 used in: Experience