Ellis running for third term as county commissioner
Harris County Precinct 1 Commissioner Rodney Ellis announced Thursday he will run for a third term.
“I look forward to asking Precinct One voters for the privilege of continuing the fight for equity and justice for all Harris County residents,” Ellis said in a post on X, the site formerly known as Twitter.
Harris County Attorney Christian Menefee announced in August his campaign for reelection. Republican Precinct 3 Commissioner Tom Ramsey will be running for reelection in 2024. County Judge Lina Hidalgo, Precinct 2 Commissioner Adrian Garcia, and Precinct 4 Commissioner Lesley Briones were elected in 2022 to four-year terms.
A Harris County GOP spokesperson said at this time they are not aware of any Republicans announcing an intention to file for the Precinct 1 Commissioner race and that there is still time to file. Filing deadline for primary candidates is Dec. 11. Harris County Democratic Party county chair Mike Doyle said they were not aware of any Democrats other than Ellis filing for that race at this time.
In a letter asking for the support of Precinct 1 voters, Ellis highlighted efforts to bring misdemeanor bail reform, public health strategies to reduce gun violence, housing and youth programs.
“That’s a lot, but we’re just getting started,” Ellis wrote. “The truth is, we can’t stop — not until, in the words of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., ‘justice rolls down like waters and righteousness like a mighty stream.’ That’s my goal, and if Precinct One voters see fit to give me another term, I’ll continue to devote my skills and experience achieving it.”
This second term will mark eight years on Commissioners Court for Ellis. There are no term limits for commissioner seats. Prior to Commissioners Court, Ellis was a Texas State Senator for more than two decades and a Houston City Council Member for District D for three two-year terms.