Harris County Appraisal District Runoff 2026: HCAD Board Places 2 and 3 on the Dec. 12 Ballot

Last updated: Nov. 8, 2026

Two of the three elected seats on the Harris Central Appraisal District (HCAD) board go to a runoff on Saturday, Dec. 12, 2026, with early voting Nov. 30 through Dec. 8. They are the only races on Harris County's December ballot.

Who is in the Harris County Appraisal District runoff?

No candidate won a majority in Places 2 and 3 on Nov. 3, so the top two in each race advance, according to HCAD's unofficial results.

• Place 2: Claudio Gutierrez (37.60%) vs. Jourdyn Wilson (32.31%). Chris Ehlinger finished third with 30.09%.
• Place 3: Ericka McCrutcheon (42.47%) vs. Jesus Nieto (30.58%). Chris Moses finished third with 26.95%.
• Place 1: Beverly Barrett won outright with 57.66% over Kathy Blueford Daniels.

All totals are unofficial until the election is canvassed. Check HarrisVotes.com for certified results and runoff polling places.

Why is there a December election just for HCAD?

The Harris County Clerk's Office says the two HCAD races are the only items on the Dec. 12 runoff ballot, ABC13 reported. HCAD expects the runoff to cost $4 million or more depending on how many polling places are needed. The Houston Chronicle projected it could run as high as $11 million, or about $230 per voter, using 2024 runoff turnout.

What does the HCAD board actually do?

The board of directors oversees the appraisal district's budget and hires the chief appraiser, who is responsible for setting values. The board doesn't set your value or your tax rate. Texas added elected seats to appraisal boards in larger counties in 2023, and the Texas Comptroller's property tax resources explain how appraisal districts are governed.

Does the appraisal district set my tax bill?

No. HCAD sets the appraised value of your property and processes exemptions. Harris County, your city, your school district and other taxing units set the tax rates. The Harris County Tax Office sends the bill. Your 2026 bill is due by Jan. 31, 2027, and because that's a Sunday, the deadline moves to Monday, Feb. 1, 2027 (Tax Code §1.06).

What does the runoff mean for my 2027 appraisal?

The runoff won't change a value already on your 2026 bill. The directors elected in December will help oversee HCAD's budget and operations heading into the 2027 appraisal season, when new notices go out in the spring. If you want to know where the candidates stand, look for their statements and local candidate forums before early voting starts Nov. 30.

How do I protest my Harris County property value?

You can protest to the Appraisal Review Board every year, no matter who sits on the HCAD board. The 2027 deadline is Monday, May 17, 2027, because May 15 falls on a Saturday, or 30 days after your notice is delivered, whichever is later. Start with our Harris County property tax protest guide, the Houston property tax protest guide, or our Harris County 2027 protest deadline explainer. You can file on your own, or protest with TaxDrop. Here's how a Texas property tax consultant works.

Frequently asked questions

When is the Harris County Appraisal District runoff?

Saturday, Dec. 12, 2026. Early voting runs Nov. 30 through Dec. 8, according to the Harris Central Appraisal District.

Who is in the HCAD board runoff?

Place 2 is Claudio Gutierrez vs. Jourdyn Wilson. Place 3 is Ericka McCrutcheon vs. Jesus Nieto. Beverly Barrett won Place 1 outright with 57.66% of the vote, based on unofficial results.

Who can vote in the HCAD runoff?

The elected HCAD seats are countywide, so registered Harris County voters can vote. Polling places and hours will be posted by the Harris County Clerk's Office at HarrisVotes.com.

How much will the HCAD runoff cost?

HCAD told ABC13 it expects the runoff to cost $4 million or more. The Houston Chronicle projected it could reach $11 million, about $230 per voter, based on 2024 runoff turnout.

Does the appraisal district set my property tax rate?

No. HCAD sets appraised values and handles exemptions. The county, city, school district and other taxing units set tax rates, and your bill is your taxable value times those rates.

Can I protest my Harris County appraisal no matter who wins?

Yes. You can protest your value to the Appraisal Review Board (ARB) every year. The 2027 deadline is Monday, May 17, 2027, because May 15 is a Saturday, or 30 days after your notice is delivered, whichever is later.

Sources: Harris Central Appraisal District, Board Election Information; ABC13 Houston, Nov. 7, 2026; Texas Comptroller, Property Tax; Texas Tax Code §§1.06 and 41.44.