Former county treasurer Orland Sanchez would bring a fiscally conservative perspective that’s become all too rare among the GOP these days.
By The Editorial Board, Opinions from the Houston Chronicle Editorial BoardMay 16, 2026
At a time when the county judge’s office seems beset by self-inflicted chaos, Orlando Sanchez, 68, remains Republicans’ best argument that they’ll put the adults back in charge. The longtime county treasurer has 12 years of experience serving in a countywide seat, where he ably executed the duties of his office and received commendations for bringing greater transparency to county finances. He also spent six years on City Council, leaving with a track record of cutting taxes. He’s a veteran of the United States Air Force and the Texas Air National Guard and a licensed real estate agent, and served on the board of directors of Capital Bank Texas.
In meeting with the editorial board, Sanchez demonstrated a fiscally conservative perspective that’s become all too rare among Republicans these days, asking tough questions like whether taxpayers are getting what they pay for from overlapping county law enforcement agencies. He understands that the county judge’s greatest power is in its bully pulpit, and plans to use it to raise these sorts of serious issues with commissioners and with voters.
