Damiane D. Curvey, the presiding judge of Harris County's 280th Judicial District Court, seeks re-election in the Nov. 3, 2026 general election. She is running as a Democrat. Harris County voters, including those in the Clear Lake area, will see the race on their ballots.
The 280th District Court handles protective order cases. Curvey said she wants to continue expanding language access, ensuring incarcerated litigants appear for their hearings and empowering people to represent themselves in court without hiring an attorney.
"Poverty is one of the main causes of domestic violence," Curvey said in her candidate questionnaire. She said she has created a pamphlet giving litigants the phrases they need to admit and object to exhibits on their own.
Candidate information
- Party: Democratic
- Office sought: Texas District Court Judge, District 280
- Current role: Presiding Judge, 280th Judicial District Court of Harris County
- Education: Bachelor of Science in Radio, Television and Film, University of Texas at Austin; law degree with honors, Thurgood Marshall School of Law at Texas Southern University
- Bar status: Licensed in Texas since Nov. 4, 2005, according to her State Bar of Texas profile
- Practice areas (State Bar): Family, Wills-Trusts-Probate and Juvenile
- Disciplinary record: Public Reprimand recorded by the State Bar of Texas with an entry date of Dec. 7, 2012
- Family: Two children, Nick (LSU graduate) and Emma (high school junior)
Experience and public service
Curvey began her career as an adoption recruiter for DePelchin Children's Center, where she said she learned about Child Protective Services operations. She then taught English and Language Arts in Aldine ISD for six years and in Houston ISD for one year.
After graduating from law school with honors, she opened her own law practice and practiced family and criminal defense law for 18 years. She is the current presiding judge of the 280th Judicial District Court of Harris County.
Curvey said her varied background prepared her for protective order work. She said the schools taught her how to stay calm in escalated situations, a skill she applies on the bench.
She said she is the first in her family to enter politics.
On the issues
Protective order experience: Curvey said the critical difference between herself and her challenger is experience with protective order cases. She said she maintained a practice in both criminal and family law before taking the bench and has adjudicated thousands of cases each year as judge. She said her challenger has not filed a single application for a protective order in the past eight years. The challenger's response to this claim was not available.
Language access: Curvey said her court offers free interpreters to any litigant in need, regardless of language, and that she wants to continue making language access a priority.
Access for incarcerated litigants: Curvey said she wants to ensure incarcerated litigants are brought to court for their hearings rather than having cases proceed in their absence.
Continuing legal education: Curvey said she has organized CLE learning opportunities for lawyers and community members and shares presentation materials with any lawyer or law student who requests them.
Pro se litigant support: Curvey said she worked with the Houston Bar Association to create a handbook called "Your Day in Protective Order Court," which teaches litigants how to handle their cases. She called teaching people to be proficient in the 280th courtroom her greatest accomplishment.
