Two Republican candidates are running for Montgomery County justice of the peace Precinct 5 in the upcoming March primaries.

What you need to know: Early voting begins Feb. 17 for March 3 primary races in Texas, including several county and state contests.

Candidates were asked to keep responses under 50 words, answer the questions provided and avoid attacking opponents. Answers may have been edited or cut to adhere to those guidelines, or for style and clarity.

Family Promise of Montgomery County is celebrating 25 years with a gala on Feb. 13, according to a Jan. 12 news release.

More details: The nonprofit assists families experiencing homelessness and helps them work toward housing stability, according to the news release. Proceeds from the Feb. 13 gala—co-chaired by former Mrs. Texas Brittney Moss and Montgomery County Realtor Kristin Carter—will go towards Family Promise of Montgomery County’s programs.

Quote of note: “This event is a chance to reflect on what our community has made possible over the past 25 years,” Executive Director Marilyn Kasmiersky said via a news release. “It is also about coming together to ensure families continue to have support and opportunity for the next 25 years and beyond.”  

Houston City Council member Abbie Kamin and Harris County Civil Court Judge Audrie Lawton Evans will face each other in the March 3 Democratic primary election.

The details: Candidates were asked to keep responses under 50 words, answer the questions provided and avoid attacking opponents. Answers may have been edited or cut to adhere to those guidelines, or for style and clarity.

Important dates: Early voting runs Feb. 17-27. Election day is March 3.

Harris County commissioners will meet Jan. 29 with more than 300 agenda items on the docket, including discussion items regarding Harris Health’s proposed hospital expansion in Hermann Park, the county’s response to Winter Storm Fern and the countywide policy for law enforcement salaries.

What you need to know: Harris Health officials have complied with Commissioners Court’s October request and have prepared their public presentation on community engagement efforts regarding the $410 million Ben Taub Hospital expansion in the Texas Medical Center.

After the presentation, Commissioners Court will hold its Chapter 26 public hearing on the agenda item and is expected to also vote to authorize a formal public hearing on the hospital expansion March 19.

Also of note: Officials with Harris County’s budget office look to discuss the countywide policy for the new law enforcement salary scale. Law enforcement pay parity has reached various points at Commissioners Court, including a decision to spend $104 million on county law enforcement pay in the fiscal year 2025-26 budget, which required identifying necessary savings to provide for raises. 

Four Republican candidates are running for Texas comptroller in the upcoming March 3 primary election.

The big picture: Michael Berlanga, Christi Craddick, Kelly Hancock and Don Huffines are seeking the Republican nomination to be Texas' next chief financial officer. The Republican nominee will face the winner of the Democratic primary in November; the winner of that election will be sworn in for a four-year term in January 2027.

The background: The comptroller's office is open after former state comptroller Glenn Hegar stepped down in July to become chancellor of the Texas A&M University System. Former state Sen. Kelly Hancock currently serves as acting state comptroller and is running in the Republican primary, although he is not considered the incumbent in the race.

The comptroller is tasked with overseeing government spending, projecting Texas' biennial budget for state legislators, reporting on statewide economic issues, and managing the state treasury and unclaimed property programs. Hancock's office also recently launched the state’s new education savings account program, as mandated by the Texas Legislature.

Three Democrats are running to be Texas' next chief financial officer in the upcoming March 3 primary election.

The overview: Sarah Eckhardt, Michael Lange and Savant Moore are seeking the Democratic nomination for Texas comptroller. The winning Democratic candidate will face the Republican nominee in November; the winner of that election will be sworn in for a four-year term in January 2027.

The context: The comptroller's office is open after former state comptroller Glenn Hegar stepped down in July to become chancellor of the Texas A&M University System. Former state Sen. Kelly Hancock currently serves as acting state comptroller and is running in the Republican primary, although he is not considered the incumbent in the race.

The comptroller is tasked with overseeing government spending, projecting Texas' biennial budget for state legislators, reporting on statewide economic issues, and managing the state treasury and unclaimed property programs. Hancock's office also recently launched the state’s new education savings account program, as mandated by the Texas Legislature.