Overview

• Hidalgo said she will serve through December 2026, will not appear on the 2026 ballot, and intends to remain in public service in another capacity.
• She rejected rumors of a congressional bid and told reporters she does not plan to endorse in the race to succeed her.
• Declared candidates include Democrats Annise Parker and Letitia Plummer and Republicans Marty Lancton, Aliza Dutt, and Orlando Sanchez, while Democrat Erica Lee Carter previously said she would run if Hidalgo did not.
• Her tenure mixed policy initiatives on homelessness, early childhood programs, flood control, and mental health with high-profile conflicts that culminated in a formal censure by Commissioners Court.
• Budget strains topping $200 million have fueled recent disputes over law-enforcement pay and funding for early childcare programs, underscoring the stakes for the incoming field.