Houston Daily Local Headlines: Primary results, rodeo logistics, and a stormy forecast

Houston woke up to election results, opening-week rodeo crowds, and a forecast that keeps the umbrella close by.

Election Day: Harris County judge race on runoff watch

Preliminary primary results posted early Wednesday showed former Houston mayor Annise Parker leading the Democratic field for Harris County judge, but still short of the majority needed to avoid a runoff. Early tallies had Parker at about 47% of the vote, ahead of Letitia Plummer and Matt Salazar.

On the Republican side, the crowded contest was led by Orlando Sanchez in early returns, with several candidates clustered behind him. With no one near a majority, the race appeared headed toward a late-May runoff. Election officials also said turnout looked strong countywide, with long lines reported at some vote centers Tuesday night.

Rodeo season: parking, gates, and getting around NRG

The Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo is back at NRG Park through March 22, and the biggest advice from local organizers is simple: plan ahead. Parking at official lots is cashless and sold in advance, and daily rates start at $25 depending on the lot and date. Free trams run between lots and the grounds to help move crowds.

Rodeo gates opened at 2 p.m. on Monday and close at midnight. After Tuesday, gates are scheduled to open at 8 a.m. daily, still closing at midnight.

Weather: warm, muggy, and a storm window ahead

Wednesday stays springlike with highs in the low 80s, a steady Gulf breeze, and only a limited chance of hit-or-miss showers. Forecasters are also watching a stronger system that could bring more widespread storms late Friday into the weekend, with the potential for a few storms to turn strong.

Sources

https://www.axios.com/local/houston/2026/03/04/harris-county-judge-election-results-primaries-dem-gop
https://www.houstonchronicle.com/politics/election/2026/article/texas-primary-live-updates-21941132.php/
https://www.chron.com/news/houston-texas/article/houston-rodeo-tickets-prices-parking-21943371.php/
https://www.fox26houston.com/weather/houston-weather-wednesday-march-4-2026
https://www.click2houston.com/video/weather/2026/03/02/march-in-houston-brings-thunderstorm-threats/