One candidate is tracked for District Judge, 359th Judicial District on the November 3, 2026 ballot: Michael H. Ghutzman. Candidate information follows official Montgomery County election filings; verify with the official election office linked below.
March 3 primary result: Michael H. Ghutzman won the Republican nomination outright with 60.09% over Jo Ann Linzer for this open seat, per the county's official canvass; no Democrat filed. Incumbent Judge Kathleen Hamilton did not seek reelection.
Trial court judge. A trial judge presides over criminal and civil cases at the first level: bail and pleas, motions, trials, sentencing and civil judgments. Judges are bound by state law and appellate precedent and are barred by judicial conduct rules from campaigning on how they would rule. Most states elect trial judges on a nonpartisan ballot; the term and the courts a judge may sit on vary by state.
This race. One name is on the ballot for this seat.
Texas › Montgomery County › District Judge, 359th Judicial District
Republican
Michael H. Ghutzman is Chief of the Major Crimes Section at the Montgomery County District Attorney's Office and is board certified in criminal law, per the State Bar of Texas attorney directory. He is the Republican nominee for the open 359th District Court seat.
Who is running for District Judge, 359th Judicial District in 2026?
One candidate is tracked for District Judge, 359th Judicial District on the November 3, 2026 ballot: Michael H. Ghutzman. Candidate information follows official Montgomery County election filings; verify with the official election office linked below.
When is the District Judge, 359th Judicial District election in Texas?
Election Day is Tuesday, November 3, 2026. Registration deadlines, early voting dates and mail ballot rules for Texas are on the Texas election hub at theballotbrief.com.
How do I see my exact Montgomery County ballot?
Enter your ZIP code in the lookup at theballotbrief.com for the statewide and congressional races, or a full street address to add the county, city and district contests for that location.
Candidate roster from official Montgomery County and state election office filings, last verified October 1, 2026. Bios and priorities carry their attribution inline.
Cross-check with the official Texas election office, or see the full Montgomery County sample ballot and your exact ballot by address.
26 tracked races in Montgomery County, Texas. Landed here from another county's search? Look up your own ballot below.