Sarah Grunau/ Houston Public Media

Houston firefighters union leader Marty Lancton on Wednesday confirmed his bid for Harris County Judge, drawing the quick endorsements of local GOP heavyweights.

Jim “Mattress Mack” McIngvale and Texas Land Commissioner Dawn Buckingham backed Lancton during his campaign announcement at the Houston Professional Fire Fighters Association building north of downtown Houston.

The endorsements confirm Lancton as the most notable Republican candidate to join the 2026 race for Harris County Judge — a seat that has been held since 2018 by Democrat Lina Hidalgo, who became the first woman and Latina to serve as the county’s top elected official. Lancton on Wednesday signaled support for raising pay for law enforcement, a hot-button issue that has been at the c

See Full Page