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See who filed for Galveston County elections for 2026 primary races

The filing deadline for the March primary elections ended Dec. 8. Check out who filed for election for five races in Galveston County.

The overview: Five races are being contested by Democratic and Republican candidates across March primary elections. During the primary, voters will select the Democratic and Republican party nominees who will then appear on the November 2026 general election ballot alongside any independent or other party candidates.

The details: Here are the major contested races in Galveston County on the primary ballots:
Republican primary

  • County clerk: Dwight Sullivan
  • County judge: Mark Henry, Chris Kinard
  • District clerk: John D. Kinard, Samantha Morris
  • County commissioner, Precinct 2: Joe Giusti
  • County commissioner, Precinct 4: Robin Armstrong

Democratic primary
  • County judge: Albert Al Smith

 
In Your Neighborhood
Fewer homes sold in the Bay Area year over year in November

Check out last month's real estate data for the Bay Area and how it compared to the same month last year.

The gist: Fewer homes overall were sold in the Bay Area. While one ZIP code saw a slight increase, another saw 33 fewer homes sold.

Diving in deeper: Median prices varied from November 2024 to November 2025. Of four ZIP codes, two saw price increases, one remained stagnant and one decreased.

Also of note: Three of the area's four ZIP codes in the Bay Area saw an increase in the median number of days a home sat on the market in November 2025 compared to the same month last year.

 
Statewide News
Lt. Gov. Patrick vows to expand property tax breaks for Texas homeowners in 2027

Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick unveiled a plan Dec. 9 to further raise property tax exemptions for Texas homeowners and lower the age at which Texans qualify for additional tax relief during the 2027 state legislative session.

The details: Deemed “Operation Double Nickel,” Patrick’s three-part plan asks state lawmakers to:

  • Raise the property tax exemption on a Texas homeowner’s main residence, known as a homestead exemption, by $40,000
  • Allow homeowners who are at least 55 years old to qualify for a larger exemption reserved for seniors and people with disabilities
  • Pass legislation to drive down property taxes charged by local governments

More details: Texas is spending $51 billion on property tax relief in fiscal years 2026 and 2027, and some lawmakers have recently expressed concerns about raising tax exemptions in future legislative sessions, previous Community Impact reporting shows.

Patrick told reporters that his tax relief plan was “kept a secret” until the Dec. 9 news conference and that he had not discussed it with the governor or most legislators.

 

YOUR WEEKEND TO-DO LIST

Check out these weekend events across the metro area.

To submit your own event, click here!

Houston  |  Dec. 12, 7 p.m.

Cumbia night

Learn more.

 

Tomball  |  Dec. 12-14, times vary

Tomball German Christmas Market

Learn more.

 

Cypress  |  Dec. 13, 5:30 p.m.

Houston Methodist Cy-Hoops Invitational

Learn more.

 

Spring  |  Dec. 13-14, 10 a.m.-1 p.m.

Christmas in the Park

Learn more.

 

Sugar Land  |  Dec. 14, 4:30-6:30 p.m.

Menorah Lighting

Learn more.

 

Your local team

Haley Velasco
Editor

Papar Faircloth
General Manager

Email [email protected] for story ideas, tips or questions.

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