Criminal District Judge, 496th 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.
DAN SIMONS
Running for Criminal District Judge, 496th Judicial District · Texas
StateRepublican Party / Partido Republicano
RAMONA FRANKLIN
Running for Criminal District Judge, 496th Judicial District · Texas
StateDemocratic Party / Partido Demócrata
Job fit
DAN SIMONS
- On January 7, 2025, Governor Abbott announced Simons’s appointment to Harris County’s 496th Judicial District Court, for a term set to expire December 31, 2026, or until his successor was duly elected and qualified. 1
- The January 2025 announcement described Simons as a criminal defense attorney and law firm owner, previously an attorney at Thiessen Law Firm and an assistant district attorney in Harris County. 1
- The January 2025 announcement reported that Simons served in the United States Air Force and received an honorable discharge. 1
RAMONA FRANKLIN
- Franklin’s campaign describes her as a former elected Harris County district judge with more than two decades of experience as a prosecutor, defense attorney and judge. 2
- Her campaign says she founded and hosts the annual Blindfold Justice Mock Trial Competition for young people ages 10–19. 2
- The Chronicle reports county records showed Franklin was the only one of 37 elected felony and misdemeanor judges who did not preside over a trial in 2021. 3
Past rulings
We haven't found past rulings for either candidate yet.
Who pays them
DAN SIMONS
Nothing found for this candidate yet.
RAMONA FRANKLIN
The Chronicle’s February 13, 2026 report said Franklin had $1,538 in campaign cash on hand; the quoted passage does not identify the balance’s reporting date. 3
According to the Chronicle, a state expenditure report showed Franklin paid a man identified as Earl Blair $1,200 in February 2024 for unspecified campaign consulting. 3
Checks
No checks have run for either candidate yet.
Based on current data. May change in a future update.
Sources
- Governor Abbott Appoints Simons To 496th Judicial District ... · checked 2026-10-31 used in: Experience
- Meet Judge Franklin · checked 2026-10-31 used in: Experience
- Ousted judge Ramona Franklin wants another chance from ... · checked 2026-10-31 used in: Experience, Money