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Family District Judge, 309th Judicial District: who gets your vote?

What this role does

Family district judges hear cases involving divorce, child custody, visitation, child support, adoption, and child protection.

Their rulings affect family relationships and children’s care.

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.

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Candidate

Running for Family District Judge, 309th Judicial District · Texas

StateDemocratic Party / Partido Demócrata

Candidate

Running for Family District Judge, 309th Judicial District · Texas

StateRepublican Party / Partido Republicano

LINDA MARIE DUNSONCandidateMELISSA FERTELChallenger

Job fit

LINDA MARIE DUNSON

Her campaign lists a JD from Texas Southern University’s Thurgood Marshall School of Law, a taxation LL.M. from “University of Houston Dedman Law Center,” and licensure as a U.S. Customs Broker. ¹
Her campaign says Dunson began her legal career as a solo practitioner focused on family law. ¹
Her campaign reports that Dunson formerly led the Houston Lawyers Association and received the National Bar Association’s President of the Year recognition. ¹

MELISSA FERTEL

The Houston Chronicle’s October 13, 2026 editorial identified Fertel as a lawyer and Republican challenger for Harris County’s 309th Family District Court. ²
In its October 13, 2026 editorial, the Chronicle board reported that Fertel had not responded to its invitation for an endorsement screening. ²

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