Abbie Kamin, the interim Harris County attorney, is running as the Democratic nominee for the remainder of the unexpired Harris County Attorney term in the Tuesday, Nov. 3 general election. She faces Republican Jacqueline Lucci Smith.

Asked why she is running, Kamin said in our candidate questionnaire: "I am the current County Attorney, and I am running to continue the work I've started. I'm leading the charge for Harris County families: taking on scammers and slumlords who prey on seniors and the vulnerable; cracking down on domestic abusers; standing up to polluters to protect our air and water; suing Trump and Abbott to protect our democracy; and holding greedy corporations accountable."

Candidate information

Party: "I am a Democrat," Kamin said in our questionnaire.

Family: "I met my husband Matt in law school and we are raising our amazing son in Houston.." Kamin said in our questionnaire.

Education: "I earned a JD, cum laude, from American University Washington College of Law, and a BA, cum laude, from Tulane University," Kamin said in our questionnaire. "At Tulane, I was part of the 'Katrina Class,' propelling me into local government and coastal restoration efforts."

Family in government: "My family is very civically engaged, but I am the only one who works in government," Kamin said in our questionnaire.

Kamin was born and raised in Houston and attended The Emery/Weiner School, according to KTRK and her Wikipedia page.

Experience and public service

Harris County Commissioners Court appointed Kamin as county attorney on June 15, 2026. She was sworn in June 16, 2026, becoming the first woman to serve as Harris County attorney, according to Houston Public Media.

Asked about her work history, Kamin said in our questionnaire: "I currently serve as Harris County Attorney, and previously served as the Houston City Council Member for District C. Before I became an elected official, I practiced law with a focus on general civil, and voting rights and civil rights litigation … I went on to serve as the Associate Regional Director for the Anti-Defamation League's SW Region and was a Committee Director and Clerk at the Texas Legislature."

Asked about previous offices, Kamin said in our questionnaire: "I was appointed as County Attorney by the Harris County Commissioners Court on June 15, 2026. I was elected to the Houston City Council in 2019 and reelected in 2023."

On the issues

Accomplishments: Asked what past accomplishments show she can handle the job, Kamin said in our questionnaire: "I have a proven record working as an attorney on voting rights issues and am the only candidate for County Attorney who has taken on Greg Abbott and won, helping to overturn his illegal voter suppression scheme … I have successfully championed paid parental leave and prenatal wellness policies for the City of Houston, secured millions for flood mitigation projects, and fought for innovative solutions to tackling domestic violence and gun violence."

Differences from opponent: "Our values are different, I believe in fighting for, and protecting, the rights of all residents in Harris County. I am a Democrat and she is a Trump Republican," Kamin said in our questionnaire. "As the current County Attorney, I also have significantly more experience."

Voting rights: Kamin said in a Community Impact questionnaire that her overriding priority is protecting every eligible voter's rights and free and fair elections. She pledged to use the full authority of the county attorney's office to protect voter access and challenge unlawful state interference in Harris County elections.

Environmental protection: Kamin pledged to pursue civil enforcement actions for violations of environmental laws and to take action against companies that endanger Harris County residents, including concrete batch plants near schools and neighborhoods, according to Community Impact.

Best advice: Kamin said in our questionnaire that while the advice was not shared directly with her, it inspires her: "… The late Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg famously kept a framed ancient Hebrew phrase hanging in her Supreme Court chambers: 'Tzedek, tzedek tirdof' (Justice, justice you shall pursue). These exact words now hang in my office as a guiding principle."

The election is Tuesday, Nov. 3.