A Harris County official was just approved for a $305,000 salary. She says she won’t take it.

HOUSTON — Harris County Clerk Teneshia Hudspeth said she will not accept a salary increase to $305,000 that the Commissioners Court recently approved, explaining that the raise was not paired with additional funding and would have to come from her office’s existing budget.

Hudspeth announced the decision in a statement issued Monday through her office.



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“The Commissioners Court recently approved salary increases for certain elected officials, including an increase in my authorized salary to $305,000. I appreciate the Commissioners Court’s action and recognition of the responsibilities and demands of serving in this role.”

The county clerk keeps records for the Commissioners Court and county residents, and runs elections in the county.

Hudspeth said accepting the raise would mean absorbing the cost within the County Clerk’s Office budget rather than receiving new funding to cover it.

“However, the approved salary increase was not accompanied by additional funding and would have to be absorbed within the County Clerk’s existing budget. At this time, I have chosen not to accept the newly approved salary.”

Hudspeth said her office’s priorities lie elsewhere right now, including staffing needs raised during the county’s budget process.

“My immediate focus remains ensuring the resources available to the County Clerk’s Office are directed toward filling the positions requested during the budget process and maintaining the staffing needed to effectively serve Harris County residents and fulfill our statutory responsibilities.”

Publicly available records show Hudspeth was compensated $180,501 in 2025.

Commissioners Court approved proposed salaries of $305,000 for the Harris County Attorney, District Attorney, District Clerk, County Clerk, and Tax Assessor Collector and Constables at the Aug. 6 meeting.

Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo’s term ends Dec. 31. She is not seeking re-election.

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