Harris County Sheriff Ed Gonzalez wins re-election for third term

Leading in the polls against his Republican opponents, Ed Gonzalez has won his third term with the Harris County Sheriff’s Office after defeating challengers Mike Knox and Joe Danna in the General Election.

• FULL ELECTION RESULTS

As of 6 a.m., Gonzalez was leading with 53% of the vote, totaling 779,938 votes, with 97.9% of precincts reporting.

A Democrat, the now-third-time Sheriff is a former homicide detective, a hostage negotiator, and a District H City Council member.

SEE ALSO: New Texas law complicates race for Harris County Sheriff candidacy

Gonzalez released a statement on X thanking voters:

“Every day for the last 8 years, our Harris County Sheriff’s Office team has strived to earn and keep your trust and confidence in our commitment to keeping every community safe. I am overwhelmed with gratitude to the people of Harris County for using your vote to tell us once again that we’re getting it right. I will continue working with our many partners to put safety first. and ensure that our brave HCSO teammates have all the support and resources they need to meet your high expectations. Thank you for this honor, and know that we will never take it for granted.

Knox, 64, a former at-large City Council member who worked for 15 years as a Houston police officer and was a pretty good match-up for the sheriff.

Earlier this week, Gonzalez and Danna both said Knox should have been disqualified from the race because of the new Texas law that requires sheriff candidates to hold “an active permanent peace officer license”.

Knox, who did not hold that requirement when he signed up to run, holds it now and was able to be placed on the ballot.

• New Texas law complicates race for Harris County Sheriff candidacy

Gonzalez oversees more than 4,600 employees, the county jail, and nearly 1,800 square miles, including unincorporated Harris County and 41 municipalities.