Dan Simons

Dan Simons

Republican Party

Candidate, Texas 496th District Court

Texas 496th District Court

Tenure

Present officeholder

Term ends

2026

---

Report an officeholder change

Elections and appointments

Last election

March 3, 2026

Next election

November 3, 2026

Appointed

January 7, 2025

Education

High school

Colmesneil High School

Bachelor's

Sam Houston State University, 2008

Law

Thurgood Marshall School of Law, 2011

Graduate

University of Houston, 2013

Military

Service / branch

U.S. Air Force

Years of service

1996 - 1999

Personal

Birthplace

Galveston, TX

Religion

Christian

Profession

Lawyer

Contact

Personal Facebook

Personal LinkedIn

Dan Simons is a judge of the Texas 496th District Court. His current term ends on December 31, 2026.

Simons (Republican Party) is running for re-election for judge of the Texas 496th District Court. He is on the ballot in the general election on November 3, 2026. He advanced from the Republican primary on March 3, 2026.

Biography

Dan Simons was born in Galveston, Texas. He served in the U.S. Air Force from 1996 to 1999. Simons earned a high school diploma from Colmesneil High School, a bachelor's degree from Sam Houston State University in 2008, a law degree from the Thurgood Marshall School of Law in 2011, and a graduate degree from the University of Houston in 2013. His career experience includes working as a lawyer and business owner.

Elections

2026

See also: Municipal elections in Harris County, Texas (2026)

General election

The general election will occur on November 3, 2026.

The candidate list in this election may not be complete.

General election for Texas 496th District Court

Incumbent Dan Simons (R) and Ramona Franklin (D) are running in the general election for Texas 496th District Court on November 3, 2026.

		Candidate
		Dan Simons (R)
		Ramona Franklin (D)

---

	Incumbents are bolded and underlined.
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

Democratic primary

The candidate list in this election may not be complete.

Democratic primary for Texas 496th District Court

Ramona Franklin (D) defeated Michael Abner (D) in the Democratic primary for Texas 496th District Court on March 3, 2026.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Ramona Franklin	61.6	190,184
		Michael Abner	38.4	118,747

---

	There were no incumbents in this race. Source	Total votes: 308,931
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

Republican primary

The candidate list in this election may not be complete.

Republican primary for Texas 496th District Court

Incumbent Dan Simons (R) advanced from the Republican primary for Texas 496th District Court on March 3, 2026.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Dan Simons	100.0	149,148

---

	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. Source	Total votes: 149,148
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

Endorsements

Simons received the following endorsements. To send us additional endorsements, click here.

• “C” Club of Houston

2024

See also: Municipal elections in Harris County, Texas (2024)

General election

General election for Harris County District Attorney

Sean Teare defeated Dan Simons in the general election for Harris County District Attorney on November 5, 2024.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Sean Teare (D)	50.9	749,403
		Dan Simons (R)	49.1	721,563

---

	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 1,470,966
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

Democratic primary election

Democratic primary for Harris County District Attorney

Sean Teare defeated incumbent Kim Ogg in the Democratic primary for Harris County District Attorney on March 5, 2024.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Sean Teare	75.0	126,449
		Kim Ogg	25.0	42,149

---

	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 168,598
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

Republican primary election

Republican primary for Harris County District Attorney

Dan Simons advanced from the Republican primary for Harris County District Attorney on March 5, 2024.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Dan Simons	100.0	145,293

---

	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 145,293
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

Endorsements

Ballotpedia did not identify endorsements for Simons in this election.

2022

See also: Municipal elections in Harris County, Texas (2022)

General election

General election for Harris County Criminal Court at Law No. 11

Incumbent Sedrick Walker II defeated Dan Simons in the general election for Harris County Criminal Court at Law No. 11 on November 8, 2022.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Sedrick Walker II (D)	50.6	533,538
		Dan Simons (R)	49.4	520,782

---

	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 1,054,320
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

Democratic primary election

Democratic primary for Harris County Criminal Court at Law No. 11

Incumbent Sedrick Walker II advanced from the Democratic primary for Harris County Criminal Court at Law No. 11 on March 1, 2022.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Sedrick Walker II	100.0	136,409

---

	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 136,409
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

Republican primary election

Republican primary for Harris County Criminal Court at Law No. 11

Dan Simons advanced from the Republican primary for Harris County Criminal Court at Law No. 11 on March 1, 2022.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Dan Simons	100.0	131,975

---

	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 131,975
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

2018

General election

General election for Harris County Criminal Court at Law No. 8

Franklin Bynum defeated Dan Simons in the general election for Harris County Criminal Court at Law No. 8 on November 6, 2018.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔	Submit photo	Franklin Bynum (D)	56.3	663,650
		Dan Simons (R)	43.7	515,368

---

	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 1,179,018
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

Democratic primary election

Democratic primary for Harris County Criminal Court at Law No. 8

Franklin Bynum advanced from the Democratic primary for Harris County Criminal Court at Law No. 8 on March 6, 2018.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔	Submit photo	Franklin Bynum	100.0	129,136

---

	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified.	Total votes: 129,136
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

Republican primary election

Republican primary for Harris County Criminal Court at Law No. 8

Dan Simons defeated incumbent Jay Karahan in the Republican primary for Harris County Criminal Court at Law No. 8 on March 6, 2018.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Dan Simons	70.7	87,316
		Jay Karahan	29.3	36,218

---

	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified.	Total votes: 123,534
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

Selection method

See also: Partisan election of judges

Judges of the county courts are elected in partisan elections by the county they serve and serve four-year terms, with vacancies filled by a vote of the county commissioners.

Qualifications
To serve on a county court, a judge must:

• be at least 25 years old;
• be a resident of his or her respective county for at least two years; and
• have practiced law or served as a judge for at least four years preceding the election.

Campaign themes

2026

Ballotpedia survey responses

See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection

Dan Simons has not yet completed Ballotpedia's 2026 Candidate Connection survey. Send a message to Dan Simons asking him to fill out the survey. If you are Dan Simons, click here to fill out Ballotpedia's 2026 Candidate Connection survey.

Who fills out Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey?

Any candidate running for elected office, at any level, can complete Ballotpedia's Candidate Survey. Completing the survey will update the candidate's Ballotpedia profile, letting voters know who they are and what they stand for.  More than 26,000 candidates have taken Ballotpedia's candidate survey since we launched it in 2015. Learn more about the survey here.

You can ask Dan Simons to fill out this survey by using the button below or emailing dan@dan4da.com.

Campaign website

Simons' campaign website stated the following:

Public Safety Through Accountability

• Prosecute Criminals: We are committed to ensuring that those who break the law are prosecuted to the fullest extent. By taking a strong stance on crime, we aim to deter criminal activities and provide justice for victims.
• Prevent Crime from Happening: We will implement proactive measures to prevent crime, including community outreach programs, enhanced law enforcement presence, and support for at-risk individuals to deter them from engaging in criminal behavior.
• Protect Victims of Crimes: Protecting victims is at the heart of our mission. We will provide comprehensive support services, ensure their voices are heard in court, and advocate for their rights throughout the judicial process.

Identify and Prosecute Corruption

• Establish a specialized task force to investigate allegations of corruption: We will form a dedicated team to root out corruption at all levels of government. This task force will have the resources and authority to conduct thorough investigations and bring corrupt officials to justice.
• Restore faith in public institutions by holding officials accountable: We will restore trust in our institutions by taking a firm stance against corruption. Our goal is to ensure that government officials act in the people’s best interests and uphold the principles of transparency and accountability.

Restore Local Business Confidence

• Ensure a safe environment for businesses to operate: A thriving local economy depends on the safety and security of businesses. We will work closely with law enforcement and community leaders to create a safe environment where businesses can flourish without the threat of crime.
• Support initiatives that protect business interests and promote economic growth: We will champion policies and programs that support local businesses, protect them from fraud and theft, and encourage economic development. By fostering a robust business climate, we aim to create jobs and enhance the quality of life for all residents.

Restore Public Trust in the Judicial Process

• Hold People Accountable for Their Actions: Accountability is the cornerstone of justice. We will ensure that everyone, regardless of their status, is held accountable for their actions, thereby reinforcing the integrity of our legal system.
• Provide Appropriate Remedies for Criminal Cases: Justice must be fair and proportional. We will advocate for appropriate sentencing that reflects the severity of the crime and promotes rehabilitation where possible.
• Significantly Streamline the Judicial Case Backlog: Delays in the judicial process hinder justice. We will implement efficient case management practices and allocate necessary resources to reduce the backlog, ensuring timely justice for all parties involved.

Rebuild Relationships with All Partners in the Justice System

• Create a Positive Work Environment in the District Attorney’s Office: A positive and collaborative work environment is essential for effective prosecution. We will foster a culture of mutual respect, clear communication, and shared goals within the DA’s office.
• Reform the Bail System: Our bail system needs reform to ensure fairness and public safety. We will work to give judges the tools they need to make informed decisions and eliminate practices that allow repeat offenders to exploit the system.
• Challenge the O’Donnell Consent Decree and eliminate the failed bond reform to free judges to use all appropriate tools by reinstating a greater breadth of remedies: We will advocate for reforms that empower judges to use a broader range of treatments, ensuring that justice is effective and fair.

Victim’s Rights

• Ensure victims are heard, and their rights are protected throughout the judicial process: Victims deserve to be at the center of the justice system. We will ensure their rights are upheld, their voices are heard, and they receive the support they need to recover.
• Provide support services to help victims recover and seek justice: Beyond legal proceedings, victims need comprehensive support. We will offer counseling, financial assistance, and legal aid to help victims navigate the aftermath of crime and rebuild their lives.

Ensure Voter Integrity and Eliminate Voter Fraud

• Investigate and prosecute election fraud to maintain election integrity for fair elections in Harris County: Election integrity is vital for democracy. We will rigorously investigate and prosecute any instances of voter fraud to ensure that elections are fair and every legitimate vote counts.
• Implement safeguards to protect against fraudulent activities and enhance voting system security: We will strengthen the security of our voting systems and introduce measures to prevent fraudulent activities, thereby safeguarding the democratic process and maintaining public trust in elections.

Put an End to Abuse of Power and Government Overreach in the District Attorney’s Office

• The current Democratic candidate for Harris County District Attorney has publicly stated his specific areas of priorities if elected, which include clear violations of State constitutional boundaries. This overreach into areas beyond their mandate is alarming and undermines the principles of our democracy. We will address the overreach and ensure that the DA’s office operates within its constitutional boundaries, focusing on its core mission of upholding the law and protecting the public. By reining in government overreach, we aim to uphold democratic principles and maintain the proper balance of power.

— Dan Simons' campaign website (March 11, 2026)

Note: This text is quoted verbatim from the original source. Any inconsistencies are attributable to the original source.

2024

Dan Simons completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2024. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Simons' responses.

Expand all | Collapse all

Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

I spent my childhood in poverty and the foster care system. Without a stable home or support system, I knew life would be a challenge if I didn’t fight for my future.

Prioritizing my education, I became the only member of my family to graduate from high school, eventually graduating with honors from Thurgood Marshall College of Law in Houston.

Between high school and college, I served our nation in the United States Air Force before entering the practice of law.

I went on to serve as an Assistant District Attorney in the Harris County District Attorney’s Office, trying thousands of cases and achieving an 84% conviction rate.

I currently run my own practice, where I continue to fight for justice every day.

Battling through my difficult childhood instilled in me a passion for fighting for those who cannot fight for themselves.

Please list below 3 key messages of your campaign. What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals for your time in office?

• Victims of crime must receive the respect, protection, and justice they deserve. My opponent would eliminate cash bonds and allow rapists and murderers back on the streets; I want to ensure that we keep violent criminals locked up. As an Assistant District Attorney, I tried thousands of cases, achieving an 84% conviction rate. I remain dedicated to pursing justice for victims of crime and keeping dangerous criminals behind bars.
• There is not a one-size-fits-all approach for defendants. Each defendant must be evaluated as an individual, considering factors such as criminal history, to ensure their return to court and to protect all Harris County citizens. A cash bond system that is tailored to defendants’ chance of recidivism and flight risk is critical in ensuring the safety of Harris County residents.
• We must hold our elected officials accountable and prosecute all instances of public corruption. Too often politicians abuse their power and violate the trust of their constituents. No one is above the law, and our elected officials must be held accountable for violations.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

I am passionate about providing public safety to our county with policies that hold criminals accountable for their actions.

We can hold people accountable and treat each case individually. Some cases may qualify for a chance to earn a dismissal, some cases require probation, other cases require jail or prison, and some cases require the death penalty.

We must prosecute public corruption and hold offenders accountable for their actions regardless of party affiliation. No one is above the law.

I would like to end the failed bond reform and return discretion to judges to consider the listed factors when setting bail. Some cases should still qualify for a PR bond while others require a cash bond.

What characteristics or principles are most important for an elected official?

It is vital that elected officials remember that they work for the people that elect them. My opponent wants to turn Houston into the next Chicago, allowing crime to soar. Lenient sentences and weak prosecutors are not in the best interest of Harris County residents.

While my opponent is bankrolled by George Soros and plans to turn Houston into the next Chicago or San Francisco, I am dedicated to protecting and serving the interests of the people of Harris County.

What qualities do you possess that you believe would make you a successful officeholder?

Despite growing up homeless and in foster care, I managed to overcome a massive amount of adversity. I know what it means to be falsely accused and fight to clear my name. Battling through my difficult childhood instilled in me a passion for fighting for those who cannot fight for themselves.

My personal background is complemented by my time as a prosecutor in the District Attorney’s office and now, as a criminal defense attorney. Additionally, I have over 16 years of experience owning businesses and a criminal law practice.

I am running to serve and protect all residents of Harris County. My opponent is running to serve the radical agenda of George Soros and other leftists that are looking to turn our city into the next Chicago or San Francisco.

What do you believe are the core responsibilities for someone elected to this office?

First and foremost, the District Attorney is responsible for respecting and protecting victims of crime. Prosecuting dangerous criminals to the fullest extent of the law in a timely manner is critical in achieving this mission. A backlogged criminal justice system leaves room for victims to fall through the cracks and criminals to be given lenient sentences or to be released improperly. This is a dangerous situation and one I have every intention of remedying.

My Soros-funded opponent refuses to prosecute rapists and murderers to the fullest extent of the law, endangering our community. As the District Attorney, he would work to make Houston the next Chicago or San Francisco.

What is the first historical event that happened in your lifetime that you remember? How old were you at the time?

The first historical event I remember is 9/11. I was 23 years old.

What was your very first job? How long did you have it?

My first real job was joining the United States Air Force. I signed up for one term.

What organizations or individuals have endorsed your campaign?

I am endorsed by Mattress Mack (Jim McIngvale), the Houston Police Officers' Union, Congressman Dan Crenshaw, Congressman Brian Babin, State Senator Mayes Middleton, State Senator Paul Bettencourt, State Representative Tom Oliverson, State Representative Lacey Hull, State Representative Dennis Paul, State Representative Valoree Swanson, Houston City Councilman Mike Knox, Houston City Councilman Fred Flickinger, Pasadena City Councilman Thomas Schoenbein, former County Commissioner Steve Radack, and former Judge John Schmude.

What are your views on financial transparency and government accountability?

This is critical. Public trust in their elected officials and the criminal justice system must be maintained. Citizens have a right to know how their taxes are being used, and it is our job to ensure we use their money efficiently to improve their lives. That is why public corruption will be a top priority of my administration. I plan to assemble the best public corruption team in the state to combat the corruption problem that plagues Harris County.

Note: Ballotpedia reserves the right to edit Candidate Connection survey responses. Any edits made by Ballotpedia will be clearly marked with [brackets] for the public. If the candidate disagrees with an edit, he or she may request the full removal of the survey response from Ballotpedia.org. Ballotpedia does not edit or correct typographical errors unless the candidate's campaign requests it.

2022

Dan Simons did not complete Ballotpedia's 2022 Candidate Connection survey.

See also

2026 Elections

What's on the ballot? U.S. Congress U.S. Congress special elections State executives State legislatures State courts Ballot measures Municipal government School boards Election analysis hub

Government

Who represents me? U.S. Congress State executives State legislators State courts Ballot measures Municipal government School boards

Newsletters

The Daily Brew The Weekly Brew The Ballot Bulletin Checks and Balances Economy and Society Hall Pass Number of the Day Robe & Gavel Union Station

External links

Search Google News for this topic

Personal

Facebook

LinkedIn

Footnotes

Texas courts

---

Federal courts:

Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals • U.S. District Court: Eastern District of Texas, Western District of Texas, Northern District of Texas, Southern District of Texas • U.S. Bankruptcy Court: Eastern District of Texas, Western District of Texas, Northern District of Texas, Southern District of Texas

State courts:

Texas Supreme Court • Texas Court of Appeals • Texas Court of Criminal Appeals • Texas District Courts • Texas County Courts • Texas County Courts at Law • Texas Statutory Probate Courts • Texas Justice of the Peace Courts

State resources:

Courts in Texas • Texas judicial elections • Judicial selection in Texas