Lance Long, the Republican incumbent judge on the Texas 183rd District Court, is running for a full term in the Nov. 3 general election. He faces Democrat Julia Maldonado.

Gov. Greg Abbott appointed Long to the bench on Dec. 31, 2024, to replace Kristin Guiney, according to Ballotpedia. Long assumed office Jan. 1, 2025.

Asked in our questionnaire why he is seeking election, Long said: "I was appointed to the 183rd District Court in January 2025. I solely practiced criminal law for over 33 years before taking the bench. I believe my staff and I have worked to make the 183rd District Court one of the best felony courts in Harris County and I would like to continue that work."

Candidate information

Party: Republican

Education: Long said in our questionnaire: "I graduated magna cum laude from Westfield High School here in Houston in 1984. I then attended Georgetown University and graduated cum laude in 1988. I graduated from the University of Texas School of Law in 1991 with honors."

Family: Long said in our questionnaire: "I was born in Houston and raised here by my parents. I have been married for over 26 years. My wife and I have one adult daughter who lives in Austin."

Family in government: Long said in our questionnaire: "My wife works as the manager of the specialty courts in Harris County."

Endorsements: Houston Police Officers' Union, Houston Realty Business Coalition and Conservative Coalition of Harris County, according to BallotReady.

Experience and public service

Occupation and work history: Long said in our questionnaire: "I am currently the judge of the 183rd District Court. I worked for the Harris County District Attorney's Office as a prosecutor for over 25 years. I also worked as a prosecutor for Jefferson, Wharton and Smith Counties."

Long earned his law degree from the University of Texas in 1991, according to the State Bar of Texas. He also ran as a Republican candidate for Harris County Criminal Court at Law No. 13 in 2022, according to Ballotpedia.

On the issues

Accomplishments: Asked what past accomplishments show he can handle the job, Long said in our questionnaire: "I have personally tried hundreds of jury trials, including 13 capital murder death penalty cases, as an attorney. I was a division chief when I left the Harris County DA's Office and oversaw all of the vehicular crimes cases and major narcotics cases in Harris County. Since taking the bench last year I have dropped my docket from over 900 cases to roughly 530 cases."

Differences from opponent: Long said in our questionnaire: "My opponent was previously a family court judge and has little criminal law experience. I have worked in Harris County as a prosecutor or staff attorney for over 26 years and I had never seen her in a criminal court prior to meeting her last year at a function. She had low ratings in the Houston Bar Association Bar Poll when she was a judge. I was one of the highest rated criminal law judges in that same poll last year. The Houston Chronicle stated in their endorsement that I was the easy choice in this race."

Best advice: Long said in our questionnaire: "Treat every human being with dignity."