Danilo "Danny" Lacayo

About this race

A judge. Judges decide criminal and civil cases. Depending on the state and court, they are chosen in contested elections or in retention votes, where you vote YES or NO on keeping the judge for another term.

2 candidates ran for Harris County Criminal District Judge, 182nd Judicial District in the general election on Tuesday, November 3, 2026.

About Danilo "Danny" Lacayo

Judge, 182nd District Court (Harris County). Judge of the 182nd Criminal District Court since he was first elected in 2018, presiding over felony criminal cases, and now seeking a third term. Before taking the bench he worked as a Harris County assistant district attorney, a Harris County assistant public defender, and a civil attorney; he earned his law degree from the University of Houston and was born in Nicaragua.

What they say they'll focus on:

• Keeping an efficient court docket with a high clearance rate
• Weighing defendants' due-process rights alongside firm handling of bond violations

Summarized in our words from source 1, checked October 2026. Not an endorsement.

Where they stand

Slightly left, from the giving patterns of their campaign donors (DIME campaign-finance score, Stanford). Based on the 66 donors to their 2022 campaign for judge. DIME doesn't name donors: it places each one by everyone they give to, then places the candidate by their donors.

Source: data · how scores are linked to one scale.

More about Danilo "Danny" Lacayo

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Also running

• Brent Haynes · Republican

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Quick answers

What party is Danilo "Danny" Lacayo?

Danilo "Danny" Lacayo is running as a Democrat.

Is Danilo "Danny" Lacayo the incumbent?

Yes. Danilo "Danny" Lacayo currently holds this office.

What does the Harris County Criminal District Judge, 182nd Judicial District seat do?

A judge. Judges decide criminal and civil cases. Depending on the state and court, they are chosen in contested elections or in retention votes, where you vote YES or NO on keeping the judge for another term.

Who is Danilo "Danny" Lacayo running against?

Brent Haynes, for Harris County Criminal District Judge, 182nd Judicial District.

Is Danilo "Danny" Lacayo liberal or conservative?

On SpectrumVote's left–right scale, Danilo "Danny" Lacayo is slightly left, from the giving patterns of their campaign donors (DIME campaign-finance score, Stanford). This comes from published research, not our opinion.

Should I vote for Danilo "Danny" Lacayo?

SpectrumVote doesn't endorse anyone or tell you how to vote. Compare Danilo "Danny" Lacayo's record, funding and endorsements with the other candidates in this race and decide based on what matters to you.