Texas Voters Elect First Black Judge and New Governor

Harris County voters have placed Letitia Plummer in the county judgeship. She is the first Black person and the first Muslim to hold this specific office in Texas history. The change marks a shift in the leadership of one of the state’s most populous counties. Plummer discussed her plans for the role during an interview on the local radio show Hello Houston on November 5, 2026.

The election results also shifted power in Austin. Gina Hinojosa secured the governorship. Her administration has promised a one-time $1,500 payment to every Texas household. This financial aid is a central part of her campaign platform. The new governor-elect addressed this promise alongside other top stories during the broadcast.

State politics face further disruption. Senate elect James Talarico criticized Elon Musk. Talarico accused the tech billionaire of attempting to buy political influence in Texas during the election cycle. His comments added to the broader discussion on money in the state’s recent midterms. Eric Benson, a senior writer for Texas Monthly, joined the show to analyze the state of the Republican Party in Texas.

Benson recently spoke with former House Speaker Dade Phelan about the midterm results. Their conversation informed the segment on the party’s future direction. Sarah Grunau, a reporter for Houston Public Media, also joined the broadcast. She broke down the outcomes of several key local races in Harris County.

The show featured a segment with Tony Buzbee, a Houston trial attorney. Buzbee discussed his new book, How to Swim with Sharks: Success Tips They Don’t Teach You in School. He shared advice from his legal career and the lessons detailed in the text. Hosts Ernie Manouse and Tessa Barrera led the program, covering these topics for their Thursday audience.

The broadcast concluded with a listener segment called Current Obsessions. Hosts and callers shared recent hobbies and interests. Listeners can submit their own entries by emailing the show at talk@hellohouston.org. The program remains a regular Thursday feature for Houston Public Media.