Adrian Garcia, the Democratic incumbent on the Harris County Commission for Precinct 2, is seeking a third term in the general election. Republican Richard Vega is also running for the seat.

Asked in our questionnaire why he is running, Garcia said: "I am seeking reelection as Harris County Commissioner for Precinct 2 to continue delivering tangible results for communities that have too often been overlooked. During my first two terms, we focused on practical improvements that directly affect quality of life, including flood control, public health access, infrastructure, and neighborhood investment."

Candidate information

Party: Democrat

Education: "I attended Houston public schools, attended UH-Downtown, and graduated from the Houston Police Academy," Garcia said in our questionnaire.

Family: "I am married to a wonderful wife and together, we have an extraordinary daughter," Garcia said in our questionnaire.

Family in politics or government: "I have a niece who works in politics," Garcia said in our questionnaire.

Experience and public service

Garcia has held public roles spanning more than four decades. He served as a Houston police officer from 1980 to 2003, according to his Wikipedia biography. He directed the Mayor's Anti-Gang Office from 1999 to 2003.

Garcia served on Houston City Council from 2004 to 2008, including a term as mayor pro tempore from 2007 to 2008. In November 2008, he became Harris County's first Latino sheriff. He served as sheriff until 2015 and has served as Precinct 2 commissioner since 2019.

Asked what accomplishments show he can handle the job, Garcia said in our questionnaire: "I spent 23 years protecting Houston neighborhoods as a police officer, led the city's fight against gangs, served on City Council and as Mayor Pro Tem, and managed nearly 5,000 employees as Harris County Sheriff. My entire life has prepared me to do this job."

On the issues

What sets him apart from other candidates: Garcia said in our questionnaire that the critical difference is "experience," adding: "I am the only candidate who has delivered for the people of Harris County Precinct 2." He cited "cutting property taxes for seniors & disabled people 7 years in a row," "investing half a billion dollars to prevent flooding," "clearing more than six million linear feet of drainage ditches" and "starting the VIPER Task Force to take violent offenders off our streets," among other items.

Fiscal responsibility: Garcia said on his campaign website that he is "focused on using our tax dollars responsibly to make life more affordable in Harris County." He said that when the county faced a budget shortfall, he "made the hard call — cutting wasteful spending rather than raising taxes on working families."

Environment: Garcia said on his campaign website that he has "improved emergency responses to potentially deadly leaks from chemical plants and worked to reduce toxic pollution along the Ship Channel, making sure we have clean air and safe drinking water."

Best advice he ever received: Garcia said in our questionnaire that when he decided to become a police officer, he asked his father for his blessing. His father told him: "You will always have my blessings if you promise me this: Don't be ashamed that you are Mexican; don't be ashamed that your name is Garcia; don't bring shame to your name; be honest; and never forget where you come from."

The general election is Nov. 3, 2026.