THNX: A Feelgood Podcast

Joanna Whaley has lived in Southeast Michigan her whole life and is now running for State Representative for House District 2 in the 2026 Midterm Elections to serve her community. She earned her Bacherlor's Degree in Arts Management from Eastern Michigan University, attended the University of Michigan for Clinical Pastoral Education and a Clinical Pastoral Education Residency, and received her Master of Arts in Theology and Theological Studies from Wartburg Theological Seminary. As a transgender woman running to represent every member of the district, a clinical spiritual care provider in local hospitals, and a parent, some of her top issues include civil liberties, economic fairness, healthcare access, and public safety. Joanna and her family make their home in Detroit, Michigan.

Judge Katherine Thomas is Judge for the 184th Criminal District Court in Harris County, Houston, Texas and is running to keep that seat in the 2026 Midterm Elections. Upon election, she was the youngest person elected to serve on a District Court in Texas as well as the first person of color to preside over that bench. She earned her undergraduate degree in Political Science from Spellman College and her law degree from Howard University. Judge Thomas was an intern for the Obama administration and the Harris County District Attorneys office, then served as a District Attorney in Harris County following her graduation from law school. Katherine calls Houston, Texas home.

Judge Chris Morton currently presides over the 230th Judicial District Court in Harris County, Texas and is running for re-election in the 2026 Midterm Elections. Chris grew up in North Carolina and graduated from the University of North Carolina-Charlotte with a degree in International Business. While attending college, he was also serving in the National Guard. After participating in the work force, Chris moved to Houston and started attending law school at the University of Houston. Upon graduation, he worked at the Harris County District Attorneys' Office, where he practiced for six years, then worked as a defense attorney for five years before running and being elected Judge. Chris and his family live in Houston, Texas.

Judge Raul Rodriguez was first elected as Judge of Harris County Criminal Court at Law No. 13 in 2018 and is running for his third term in the 2026 Midterm Elections. He is a dual citizen, as he was born in Mexico and moved to the US at age 2. He earned a business degree from the University of Houston and worked in the corporate world before earning his J.D. from South Texas College of Law in 1992. After dedicating his practice to criminal law for over 26 years, he was appointed Associate Judge for 13 years prior to running for Judge. In addition to his multiple board memberships, co-chair titles, and committee and sub-committee memberships, he presides over SOBER (Saving Ourselves By Education & Recovery) Court. Raul and his wife Patricia live in Houston, Texas.

Judge Lance Long was appointed as Judge of the 183rd Judicial District Court in Harris County, Houston, Texas and is running to keep his seat in the 2026 Midterm Elections.

Brian Middleton is Fort Bend County, Texas' first African American District Attorney and first Democrat to hold the position in 26 years, and he is running for re-election in the 2026 Midterm Elections.

Judge Peyton Peebles serves Harris County, Houston, Texas as the presiding judge of the 497th District Court and is running to keep his seat in the 2026 Midterm Elections.

Dan Simons is running for District Attorney in Harris County, Houston, Texas in the 2026 Midterm Elections. Born and raised in Southeast Texas, he was the first person in his family to graduate from high school, then graduated from Sam Houston State University at the top of his class, went on to attend Thurgood Marshall School of Law, and earned his Master's Degree in Tax Law from the University of Houston. He has handled many cases as Assistant District Attorney and as Misdemeanor Chief in Criminal Court No. 14 and ran his own practice, Dan Simons Law Firm, in Houston, Texas.