The Honorable Teneshia Hudspeth, Harris County Clerk

Teneshia Hudspeth is the County Clerk and Chief Election Official of the third-largest county in the nation and the largest county in the State of Texas. Harris County has a population of more than 4.9 million. She is also the first African American woman to serve in this role.

Clerk Hudspeth is a native of Austin, Texas, but has called Houston home for over two decades. She and her husband, Samson Babalola, are the happy parents of nine-year-old Josiah. Clerk Hudspeth has been with the County Clerk’s office for over 20 years and has served under four County Clerks. She began her career as a Mickey Leland Congressional Intern and went on to work for the County Clerk’s Office as the Public Affairs Administrative Assistant. Shortly after, she was promoted to Voter Outreach Coordinator and Public Information Officer, eventually becoming the Administrator of Communications and Voter Outreach. In January 2020, she was appointed Chief Deputy, responsible for office operations, and in less than a year, was elected Harris County Clerk.

Clerk Hudspeth earned her degree in Communications from Texas Southern University. She is also a graduate of Leadership Houston (Class 34 or XXXIV), the Women’s Campaign School at Yale University, and American Leadership Forum Class 59. Clerk Hudspeth serves on the board and is the immediate past president of the International Association of Government Officials, representing the finest clerks, recorders, election officials, and treasurers around the globe. She is an active member of the Fountain of Praise Church, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., and The Links, Incorporated. Clerk Hudspeth’s innate desire to serve the community through volunteer work and leadership positions has taught her that service to the community is not a chore but a way of life.

The County Clerk’s Office records and maintains the records of the Commissioners Court, the Probate Courts, and the County Civil Courts at Law. It also records vital documents, such as property records, marriage licenses, assumed name certificates, birth and death certificates, miscellaneous personal records, DD-214 military discharge records, T.A.B.C. applications, and more. As the Chief Election Officer, the Clerk’s office conducts special, primary, and general elections for Harris County and governmental entities throughout the area. Under Clerk Hudspeth’s leadership, she has conducted more than 15 back-to-back successful elections.

As County Clerk, her primary goal is to serve the public with integrity and provide quality customer service. As Chief Election Official, Clerk Hudspeth is committed to upholding the highest standards of transparency, efficiency, and accuracy, and providing voters with the information, materials, and assistance they need to vote.

Page last updated 2:37 PM, August 12, 2026