Hidalgo has refused campaign contributions from county contractors since the start of her term, aiming to avoid even the appearance of a conflict of interest. Members of Commissioners Court historically have relied heavily on firms that do business with the county to stockpile huge campaign war chests. Harris County judge Lina Hidalgo greets her supporters at a primaries election night party at Axelrad Beer Garden, Tuesday, March 1, 2022, in Houston. What does the data say? Democrats appear headed for victory in the unofficial results of two commissioner contests as well, showings that could expand their majority on Commissioners Court to a 4-1 split. Dan Patrick, as well as her fellow commissioners Jack Cagle and Tom Ramsey. The judge also referenced endorsements of her opponent made by Jim Mattress "Mack McIngvale" and the Houston Chronicle Editorial Board, as well as others she characterized as belonging to a "political establishment that frankly has held onto power for just a little too long. In the four years since her upset victory thrust her into office as a 27-year-old newcomer, Hidalgo has reimagined the boundaries of county government, reaching beyond its traditional focus on public safety and flood control to also address such issues as childhood development, immigration and environmental control. Oct. 12, 2022 Updated: Oct. 14, 2022 1:37 p.m. For the first time, the two candidates for Harris County judge, incumbent Lina Hidalgo and challenger Alexandra Mealer, sat down . Join us on Facebook Live and YouTube Live tonight, Friday, February 4th at 5 pm. Ed Emmett (Republican Party) was the Harris County Judge in Texas. Rest assured that I take, very seriously, the responsibility to serve all of Hidalgo County. And there is something for us to do. On election night, Mealer conceded the race after unofficial results showed Hidalgo riding to a comfortable 15,000-vote lead. Friday, November 4, 2022. Despite seeing a barrage of criticisms . The Houston region's high number of homicides, the state's new abortion ban and a flood of campaign . I also want to thank Ms. Mealer for a hard-fought campaign & her military service. WINNERS AND LOSERS: Who won and who lost in the 2022 midterm elections across Houston and rest of Texas? But for now, her two GOP challengers are busy slashing at each other before the May 24 runoff election. Ariana Garcia joined Chron in 2021. Lina Hidalgo defeated incumbent Ed Emmett and Eric Gatlin in the general election for Harris County Judge on November 6, . For several election cycles, Houston-area voters have favored Democrats over Republicans. Mealers bid focused on the rise in crime Harris County has seen since the COVID-19 pandemic, seeking to lay blame for that uptick at Hidalgos feet, although similar or larger increases have occurred across the country. Who won and who lost in the 2022 midterm elections across Houston and rest of Texas? Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate. Harris County commissioner candidate Lesley Briones introduces gubernatorial candidate Beto ORourke during a rally outside of the West Gray Recreational Area on Tuesday, Nov. 8, 2022 in Houston. Hidalgo argued Republicans are forcing the county to scale back other essential services, and as she commented on the impacts to various departments, Mealer supporters rolled their eyes, laser-focused on their candidates goal of hiring more patrol officers. Cortez, Tania Ramirez, and Norma Ramirez are running in the Democratic Party primary. So, I think it's actually harmful to spend a lot of time talking about issues that aren't in your control," Mealer said. 2022 / 08:13 AM CST . That's why tonight we are hosting a forum with the candidates for Hidalgo County Judge in the Democratic Party Primary. A look back at Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo's biggest moments of 2022. WHEN: Friday, Feb 4th, 2022, at 5 pm ### LUPE is a nonprofit organization that helps the community organize for and win a better quality of life. The indictment, filed by Harris County District Attorney Kim Ogg, centered around the awarding of an $11 million county contract to Elevate Strategies, a local Houston company whose founder Felicity Pereyra had previously worked on Democratic campaigns. Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo looks back at Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner before they gave a joint press conference about growing Monkeypox infections Monday, July 25, 2022, at Houston TranStar headquarters in Houston. Hidalgo's victory helped secure a 4-1 Democratic majority on the court that was sealed after former civil court judge Lesley Briones beat incumbent Republican commissioner Jack Cagle for the Precinct 4 seat. ", Yesterday, the people of Harris County chose optimism over fear & people over politics. We are a membership-based organization and our strength is found in the participation of our over eight thousand members. First Day of Early Voting. Martin trailed by a small margin, while the rest trailed by larger amounts. Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo hugs U.S. Rep. Sylvia Garcia after being reelected for a second term on Wednesday, Nov. 9, 2022 in Houston. (Photo: Lina Hidalgo campaign) HOUSTON - Less than an hour after the polls closed for the 2022 Texas Primary Election Tuesday, Democratic incumbent Lina Hidalgo took the lead ahead of all other candidates for Harris County Judge. That fundraising ability allowed Mealer to distribute TV ads hammering home her message that crime is out of control and Hidalgo is to blame. Precinct 2 Commissioner Adrian Garcia, a Democrat, held a wider lead: 105,653 votes (52.56 percent) to Republican Jack Morman's 95,363 (47.44 percent), according to the unofficial vote count. Don't elect their candidate for County Judge" or something and avoided a poor fact checking result. We earned them with hard work and with results over the past four years.". Republican challenger Alexandra del Moral Mealer has conceded her bid to unseat Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo, with unofficial results show her trailing by . In the first post-redistricting election members are divided into two classes; one class shall serve a 2-year term and the other class shall serve a 4-year term. He grew up in Connecticut, graduated from Northeastern University in Boston, and is a die-hard Red Sox fan. Incumbents in more high-profile local posts, namely Hidalgo and Garcia, fared better. He said they were watching growing caseloads in other major American cities. During her campaign, Hidalgo said she was also subjected to smears, attacks, and the "dirtiest political tricks" from statewide leaders like Gov. You can't just look the other way on so many issues.". Austin, TX, October 4, 2022 A new poll out Tuesday shows voters prefer Republican Alexandra del Moral Mealer to incumbent Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo 48 to 44 percent, with 8 percent undecided.. On behalf of the conservative Defend Texas Liberty Political Action Committee (PAC), CWS Research conducted the survey of 900 likely voters in Harris County between September 24 and October 1. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate. Surrounded by fellow Democrats, Lina Hidalgo delivered victory remarks and passing jabs at her detractors during a Wednesday afternoon speech following herdefeat of Republican challenger Alex Mealer in Tuesday's Harris County judge election. Hidalgo County residents and colonia residents in particular are on the frontlines of the biggest challenges facing the nation and the world. Harris County judge Lina Hidalgo is applauded as she arrives at a primaries election night party, Tuesday, March 1, 2022, in Houston. Dylan McGuinness covers City Hall and local politics for the Houston Chronicle. Houston pitmaster goes viral after hilarious TV interview, This is what Houston looks like from space, Turner: TEA is giving Houston ISD two optionsclose school or be taken over, Two ocelots were photographed crossing a road in rare South Texas sighting, Houston Rockets poised to reap benefits from Eric Gordon trade, Willie Nelson's new album is a lovely tribute to a fellow country legend, Hiker captures 'once-in-a-lifetime' photo of wildlife at Brazos Bend State Park, Why Johnson City in Texas Hill Country is the new, cooler Fredericksburg. Mealer has focused her campaign on crime and public safety spending, arguing Hidalgo has failed to devote enough funding to county law enforcement amid a rise in violent crime. VIDEO: Lina Hidalgo and Alexandra Mealer debate Harris County budget, crime and policy. Kennedy is a reporter at Chron covering all things Houston. Our nation is too divided right now and it's been divided for too many years," Hidalgo said. Last Day to Register to Vote. . After briefly looking down and taking a pause, Hidalgo continued: "But y'all, didn't I say it would be a sweet victory?". Hidalgo has held the position since defeating then-incumbent and longtime County . "Truth won over lies." Please type your name EXACTLY as it appears on your VOTER REGISTRATION RECORD. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate. The Houston Chronicle's editorial board makes an endorsement for the Harris County judge that can be considered crucial in the tight race. Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton challenged it after Rogers' ruling, prompting the intervention by the all-Republican Texas Supreme Court. With 205 of 259 precincts reporting in the Democratic primary, Ruben Ramirez was leading in the race for U.S. Representative . Candidate Information Texas Secretary of State. STAY IN THE KNOW, by visiting our website in the next couple of days. Her opponent, incumbent county Judge Lina Hidalgo, told ABC13 at the time the numbers were looking better and that Harris County is not alone in battling crime. Search Texas Monthly The ongoing political showdown over the county's annual budget process has pitted the Mealer and Hidalgo camps firmly against one another, offering voters a clear view of the candidates different visions for the role Harris County government should play. As Hidalgo's woes multiplied in commissioners court, her political opponent continued to rack up high-dollar contributions from well-heeled conservative donors. Another administrative incumbent, Harris County Treasurer Dylan Osborne, appeared headed for defeat as well, trailing challenger Carla Wyatt. The poll, which surveyed nearly 1,000 likely election voters, has Mealer leading 48 percent to Hidalgo's 44 percent. In Precinct 2, former commissioner Jack Morman and Deer Park Mayor Jerry Mouton led three other candidates. Bun B, Badu, J.J. Watt celebrate RodeoHouston Southern Takeover, Exclusive: Abbott explains push against diversity hiring programs. Jan. 31, 2022 Updated: Feb. 1, 2022 7:58 a.m. Facebook Twitter Email Houston business owner Jim Mattress Mack McIngvale has endorsed GOP candidate Alexandra del Moral Mealer for Harris County Judge. While Mealer and other GOP candidates running for seats on Commissioners Court have maintained an intense focus on crime and public safety, those issues are far from the only challenges facing Harris County government, which also is responsible for planning out billions of dollars in flood control projects, overseeing development in unincorporated areas and running public health institutions that provide treatment for a large share of the county's uninsured, low-income residents. Campaign finance reports received by the Harris County Office of the Elections Administrator on July 15 show $2.88M in total contributions between Feb. 20-June 30 to the two candidates for Harris . This is a carousel. The impending takeover of HISD by the TEA dates back to 2019, when Wheatley High School triggered a state law by failing to meet accountability standards for seven consecutive years. Meanwhile, across town at the Kirby Ice House, Mealer said the close margins show voters are paying attention. That means our county judge must be ready to lead our community through these challenges and toward a thriving future. Daniel Marichalar (D) Hidalgo County Criminal District Attorney. With all voting centers reporting, Hidalgo had 546,745 votes (50.74 percent) to Mealer's 530,788 (49.25 percent. Hidalgo, meanwhile, raised about $2.4 million in . Hidalgo appeared to gain some breathing room over the summer, when public backlash to the Supreme Courts scrapping of Roe v Wade provided a boost to Democrats around the country. In the week leading up to Election Day, First Lady Jill Biden, Hamilton Broadway star Lin Manuel-Miranda and rapper Common stumped for Hidalgo and encouraged voters to cast their ballots for Democratic candidates. Election mishaps and conflicting court rulings introduced a degree of uncertainty about when the results would become official. The county judge race is expected to be close, though Hidalgo still has an edge over her opponent due to the countys leftward tilt, according to Rene Cross, the executive director of the University of Houstons Hobby School of Public Affairs. Taken on September 7, 2022. 05/09/2022 01:51 PM EDT. Jaime E. Galvan 11/8/2022. Another candidate for county judge is McAllen City Commissioner Tania Ramirez. She said both local parties, following the secretary of states advice, agreed to seek a court order adjusting the deadline. First Day to Apply for a Ballot by Mail. Elections 2022 Election Guide: Harris County and Texas races to watch . The vote intention in the race for Harris County judge is 52% for Democrat Lina Hidalgo and 42% for Republican Alexandra del Moral Mealer, with 6% undecided. Onward! Harris County Commissioner Pct. Are insane ticket costs pricing Astros fans out of Opening Day? The 31-year-old stood in front of supporters applauding and chanting her name at the office of the Harris Democratic Party. She's facing challengers . Oct. 12, 2022. Her reporting has aired nationally on NPR's Morning Edition, All Things Considered and Here & Now. In April, three Hidalgo staff members, including her chief of staff, were indicted for misuse of official information and tampering with government evidence. "I want to thank her for her concession and I want to thank her again for her service to our country so let's give her a round of applause." said Judge Lina Hidalgo, the top elected official of Harris County, Texas, after news broke last week that 30 truckloads of contaminated firefighting water were arriving each day to Deer Park, a suburb of Houston. Q&A with Harris County judge candidate Alexandra Mealer. WINNERS AND LOSERS: Who won, who lost, who's going to a runoff in primary elections across Houston, rest of Texas. Poll Watcher's Guide (PDF) Public Information Request (PDF) Election Forms "While we did not accomplish our goal of changing leadership in Harris County, we were successful in elevating the profile of critical issues like the need to appropriately resource our law enforcement and criminal justice system, as well as the desire to eliminate corruption and increase transparency in local government," Mealer said in a statement on social media. He has also reported on local politics for both papers. She's responsible for emergency management, which means she's in charge when disasters strike, whether that comes in the form of chemical fires, floods, a pandemic or power grid failures during a historic winter storm . Published March 1, 2022. Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo at a Commissioners Court meeting in February 2020. The judge congratulated other candidates who . Axios on linkedin. Greg Abbott, Lt. Gov. Lin-Manuel Miranda appeared at a rally Tuesday supporting Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo . Texas Ethics Commission . Procedures for Candidates, 2019-2021. Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo is applauded as she arrives to a primaries election night party, Tuesday, March 1, 2022, in Houston. Help us ask the candidates for Hidalgo County Judge the challenging questions. Alexandra del Moral Mealer and attorney Vidal Martinez were leading the nine-candidate Republican field for the GOPs nomination for county judge. Recent polls reflected the two candidates were in a virtual dead heat, with Mealer up two points over Hidalgo. . What does the data say? Republican Harris County Judge candidate Alexandra del Moral Mealer gets ready to talk to the media as early election results come in at her watch party at Kirby Ice House on Tuesday, Nov. 8, 2022 in Houston. In the GOP primary for county treasurer, Kyle Scott led Eric Dick. Candidates Richard Cortez (incumbent), Norma Ramirez, and Tania Ramirez will each have 30 minutes to discuss their stance on the biggest challenges facing colonia residents and RGV residents.