"She does seem to evoke strong emotions in either party. Democratic incumbent Lina Hidalgo is running for a second term as Harris County Judge. 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. That message helped Mealer rake in millions in campaign cash, with six-figure support in the last month from the likes of Gallery Furniture owner Jim Mattress Mack McIngvale and energy executive David Modesett, among others. Across race and background, we are uniting to demand those who govern in our name to provide the things all working people need: Education that teaches us about our past while preparing us for the future. Now, emboldened by a combination of factors the felony indictment of three Hidalgo aides, a sharp rise in homicides mirroring a trend across the country, and favorable national conditions Harris County Republicans have rallied behind Mealer as perhaps their best shot to reverse their recent struggles. Attendees reacts as they watch televised election returns from the bar at the Election Night Watch Party hosted by the Harris Co. Democratic Party held at Chapman and Kirby Tuesday, Nov. 8, 2022 in Houston, TX. Oct 25, 2022 - News. "Right now the county judge race is in a . First Day to Apply for a Ballot by Mail. WINNERS AND LOSERS: Who won and who lost in the 2022 midterm elections across Houston and rest of Texas? Mealer, a combat veteran who served in Afghanistan, says she wants the county to go back to the basics and has said she will hire 1,000 additional law enforcement officers if elected and Republicans win a majority on Commissioners Court. If the unofficial results stand, Democrats would retain and expand control of the county government four years after they won a majority for the first time in decades. Democrats thought their 3-2 majority on the Court would make this an easy task and they . If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact our office at (956)318-2570. Her leadership has been recognized through several awards and national awards, especially for her response to the COVID-19 pandemic and received recognition for protecting voting rights. Fifteen candidates are vying for the position of Harris County judge in the upcoming . He has also reported on local politics for both papers. In an interview, Mealer acknowledged Trump lost the 2020 election and said that, barring any obvious evidence of impropriety, she would accept the results in November if she loses. Terry Palacios wins Democratic nomination in Hidalgo County district attorney race, unofficial election results show 1 year 13 hours 11 minutes ago Tuesday, March 01 2022 Mar 1, 2022 March 01 . "My opponent will often say, well, none of these are county issues," Hidalgo said. 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. That's why tonight we are hosting a forum with the candidates for Hidalgo County Judge in the Democratic Party Primary. "No one really knows what the county judge does. Quick Links. Instead, the ad makes a specific claim about Mealer and a specific policy. Hidalgo's staffers being charged in 2022 with helping . Harris County judge Lina Hidalgo greets her supporters at a primaries election night party at Axelrad Beer Garden, Tuesday, March 1, 2022, in Houston. Lin-Manuel Miranda appeared at a rally Tuesday supporting Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo for reelection. Hidalgo took in $1.5 million during the same period, less than a third of Mealers sum, and she was outspent by more than $2 million. Democrats have won every countywide contest since 2016, including Hidalgos own upset win over popular incumbent Ed Emmett in 2018. Those two forces are clashing, according to Nancy Sims, a political analyst and lecturer of political science at the University of Houston. Friday, November 4, 2022. The primary election is March 1, 2022. Sort of. In the process, she became a champion to progressives who said that focus helped struggling households that the countys previously limited government left behind. "Because Lina has funded more full-time social workers than she has sheriff deputies.". Last Day to Apply for Ballot by Mail (Received, not Postmarked) Friday, February 18, 2022. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate. Despite seeing a barrage of criticisms . Mealer has framed those unfilled positions as another failure on Hidalgo's part, suggesting the county recruit from military bases and offer signingbonuses using federal COVID relief funds. A new poll released by Defend Texas Liberty PAC shows Republican candidate Alex Mealer with a four-point lead over Democrat incumbent Lina Hidalgo in the contentious race for Harris County judge. Politics A new poll shows the Harris County Judge's race is neck-and-neck. 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. 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. Democratic gubernatorial candidate Beto O'Rourke is leading . Its rattlesnake season in Texas. After briefly looking down and taking a pause, Hidalgo continued: "But y'all, didn't I say it would be a sweet victory?". Elections Harris County election results 2022: County judge, commissioners, propositions. Hidalgo also found herself at the center of controversy earlier this year after three of her top aides were indicted by a grand jury. . The race for county judge in Harris County is in a statistical dead heat, with Republican Alexandra del Moral Mealer leading Democrat Lina Hidalgo by 2% (47% to 45%, with 8% undecided). Texas GOP may censure Tony Gonzales over gay marriage, gun votes, Rep. Joaquin Castro's health plan points to a new Texas trend, Rep. Joaquin Castro diagnosed with cancer, undergoes surgery, Texas House Speaker appoints committee for gun legislation, Santa Fe families still denied video, records from 2018 shooting. During her campaign, Hidalgo said she was also subjected to smears, attacks, and the "dirtiest political tricks" from statewide leaders like Gov. She beat Emmett by just over 19,000 votes, out of 1.1 million cast in the race, and 86 percent of her votes came from Democrats who cast straight-ticket ballots, a practice the Texas Legislature since has ended. A poll from the Hobby School of Public Affairs at the University of Houston, released Monday on the first day of early voting, found 47% of likely Harris County voters say they will support Mealer, a political newcomer running for Harris County judge. Former Army Capt. Taken on September 7, 2022. Throughout her reelection campaign, Hidalgo faced an onslaught of criticism from state Republicans, including Gov. The judge congratulated other candidates who won in Tuesday's election, including Democratic Precinct 2 commissioner Adrian Garcia's victory over his Republican opponent Jack Morman. People are looking beyond party lines and looking to the person, and thats the way local politics really should be, Mealer told reporters following the initial results. Hidalgo also addressed the millions in campaign contributions her opponent garnered from "far right, Trump mega-donors," while campaigning for office. (Steve Gonzales, Staff photographer) / Hidalgo and Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner before they gave a joint press conference about growing Monkeypox infections in July 2022. Employees Only. Texas GOP may censure Tony Gonzales over gay marriage, gun votes, Rep. Joaquin Castro's health plan points to a new Texas trend, Rep. Joaquin Castro diagnosed with cancer, undergoes surgery, Texas House Speaker appoints committee for gun legislation, Santa Fe families still denied video, records from 2018 shooting. This is a carousel. Jen Rice is a reporter for the Houston Chronicle covering Harris County government. The spotlight also fueled speculation she could someday run for larger office, both of which made her a primary target for both local and statewide conservatives. 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. Code 7.104] 2 All State Senate seats are up for election in 2022 following redistricting in 2021. 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. Another candidate for county judge is McAllen City Commissioner Tania Ramirez. Elections Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo throws shade at Mattress Mack, local leaders during victory speech. The trend began around the start of the pandemic in 2020, when murders surged by more than 40 percent in the county, including Houston and the other incorporated cities. I am extremely grateful to our supporters and all those who contributed to this campaign. Hidalgos Republican opponent, Alexandra del Moral Mealer raised 4x the amount of fundraising money in her bid. Before coming to the Chronicle, Jen spent three years covering City Hall for Houston's NPR station. Race for Harris County judge still too close to call Published: November 8, 2022, 11:56 AM Updated: November 9, 2022, 1:04 AM Tags: Decision 2022 , Harris County , Voting , Lina Hidalgo . 2022 Wave elections; He said they were watching growing caseloads in other major American cities. Who won and who lost in the 2022 midterm elections across Houston and rest of Texas? We need more vaccine, Turner said. November 8, 2022 (General) Hidalgo. That's because Harris County District Court Judge Dawn Rogers prompted by a lawsuit alleging that some people were denied election access because of poor planning that led to late opening times at some voting centers signed an order on Tuesday evening keeping all polling places open one hour later, until 8 p.m., only to have the Texas Supreme Court stay her order in the evening. Search Texas Monthly That means our county judge must be ready to lead our community through these challenges and toward a thriving future. Two candidates are vying for the position of Harris County judge in the upcoming Nov. 8 election with Republican candidate Alexandra del Moral Mealer challenging the incumbent Democratic judge . A native of San Francisco, he graduated from Northwestern University in 2017 with degrees in journalism and political science, and has interned for the Tampa Bay Times, Washington Post and Fortune magazine. "To the naysayers who think I'll be intimidated by conspiracy theories or by bullying or by political prosecutionsbring it on!" DIRECTORY. Saturday, January 1, 2022. On Twitter Wednesday morning, Hidalgo celebrated her win, tweeting: "Yesterday, the people of Harris County chose optimism over fear & people over politics. Are insane ticket costs pricing Astros fans out of Opening Day? Emmett (Republican Party) . Election Day is Tuesday, November 8, 2022. . Members shall draw lots to determine who serves which terms. 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. I sincerely appreciate your vote of confidence in electing me. See also: Municipal elections in Harris County, Texas (2022) General election. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate. Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo gives a speech at the Harris County Democratic Party headquarters after being reelected for a second term on Wednesday, Nov. 9, 2022 in Houston. 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 . Rest assured that I take, very seriously, the responsibility to serve all of Hidalgo County. That is not guaranteed, though, given the narrow nature of their leads and the in-limbo status of the set-aside ballots. Del Moral Mealer is running in the Republican primary for Harris County Judge. It all started with a viral video by the National Fraternal Order of Police denouncing where Hidalgo stood on the stage particularly close to the family and their elected officials to honor the fallen officer. Three county jurists County Court at Law Judges Franklin Bynum and David Singer, and Probate Judge Michael Newman also were behind in the early tallies. Harris County judge Lina Hidalgo is applauded as she arrives at a primaries election night party, Tuesday, March 1, 2022, in Houston. As November's general election neared, polling showed Hidalgo was in a tighter race with Mealer than expected, and a startling endorsement from the Houston Chronicle editorial board in favor of her opponent surprised many in Houston. HARRIS COUNTY, Texas (KTRK) -- Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo's political future is on the line for 2022. Harris County judge Lina Hidalgo talks to her supporters at an primaries election night party, Tuesday, March 1, 2022, in Houston. Following Democrat Lesley Briones' election win against incumbent Jack Cagle for Harris County Precinct 4 commissioner, Hidalgo noted that the Commissioners Court now has three Hispanics and two women. Lawyers for the aides have maintained their innocence. Their Republican opponents will need runoffs to determine winners. (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. challenging Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo, The key state and local races that your vote will decide in the November 8 midterm election, 1,000 additional law enforcement officers. Incumbent Judge Lina Hidalgo is running for re-election after securing a historic - and surprising - win in 2018. EXPLAINER: What you need to know about Lina Hidalgo and Alex Mealer in the race for Harris County judge. Dozens of supporters for Alexandra del Moral Mealer, the Republican candidate challenging Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo, packed the room at the Sept. 13 meeting of Commissioners Court, each wearing "Alex's Army" T-shirts and loudly scoffing when Hidalgo spoke. Come find out at a candidate forum hosted by LUPE and LUPE Votes this Friday, February 4th at 5 pm online. But for now, her two GOP challengers are busy slashing at each other before the May 24 runoff election. The redistricting also cost him familiarity with voters, essentially switching the areas covered by Precincts 3 and 4. Harris County judge Lina Hidalgo greets her supporters at an primaries election night party at Axelrad Beer Garden, Tuesday, March 1, 2022, in Houston. What does the data say? Hidalgo also faced more specific challenges, including her fundraising disadvantage and a corruption probe. 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. "I want to thank Alex Mealer for running a hard-fought campaign," Hidalgo began. The judge congratulated other candidates who . In this one, Mealer is hoping to achieve the same feat, only with the parties swapped. 2022 Election. The contract was ultimately rescinded, and Hidalgo has continuously defended her office and aides in relation to the indictment. Lina Hidalgo, a rising Democratic star, faces a tough reelection race to lead Harris County. FOX 26 Houston. She said both local parties, following the secretary of states advice, agreed to seek a court order adjusting the deadline. Climate damage has fueled storms that flood our region. He grew up in Connecticut, graduated from Northeastern University in Boston, and is a die-hard Red Sox fan. . Sort of. 1 of 11 Harris County judge Lina Hidalgo greets her supporters at a primaries election night party at Axelrad Beer Garden, Tuesday, March 1, 2022, in Houston. ", 'POLITICS OF PERCEPTION': Hidalgo, Harris County Dems hope for boost from abortion, national trends, but races still competitive over crime, economy. Hidalgo County Elections Department administers the polling locations in the early voting period. the Hidalgo County health authority, announced he was passing on a campaign for the seat, saying he could . In her first term in office, Hidalgo has expanded the traditional responsibilities of county government beyond infrastructure, law enforcement and flood control, imagining a broader, more holistic role for the county that includes such things as child care, housing stability and reform-minded criminal justice. The two emerged as victors in a nine-person primary election last month, with Mealer capturing 29 percent to Martinez's 26 percent. Texas 2022 Elections GOP Harris County judge candidate contesting her loss after . Another administrative incumbent, Harris County Treasurer Dylan Osborne, appeared headed for defeat as well, trailing challenger Carla Wyatt. Incumbents in more high-profile local posts, namely Hidalgo and Garcia, fared better. The request to keep the polling sites open late was made by the Texas Organizing Project, Texas Civil Rights Project and the ACLU of Texas. 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. Jack Cagle is running against Democrat Lesley Briones. Candidate Information Texas Secretary of State. Hidalgo took . The Houston region's high number of homicides, the state's new abortion ban and a flood of campaign . ", Thank you to all those who supported our campaign for good governance pic.twitter.com/ZnjLvtQVTO. Alexandra Mealer is a tenacious campaigner, said Jessica Coln, a Houston-based Republican strategist who is uninvolved in the race. Candidate for Harris County Judge Alexandra del Moral Mealer poses for a photo Thursday, Sept. 29, 2022, at the Houston Chronicle offices in Houston. Lina Hidalgo, a progressive Democrat who leads the county that includes Houston, is facing an unexpectedly serious re-election challenge from a Republican first-time candidate, Alexandra del Moral . Houston still trails well behind other big cities around the country, many of which experienced a sharper rise in violent crime. Marie D. De Jess/Staff photographer . Dylan McGuinness covers City Hall and local politics for the Houston Chronicle. With varying results coming from the few public polls conducted on the race, there is little consensus on where things stand heading into the final weeks of the campaign. Edinburg, Texas 78539. Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo greets people in line outside West Grey Multi-Service Center, 1475 W Gray St., on Election Day Tuesday, Nov. 8, 2022, in Houston. Incumbent Cagle lost his bid for reelection as Harris County Precinct 4 commissioner against Democratic challenger Lesley Briones, a civil court judge. March 2022 marks an unusually crowded primary season for Harris County politics, with three Harris County . On Friday, Hidalgo County Judge Richard . Hidalgos stature quickly skyrocketed after the 2018 election, as she developed a passionate following among liberals inspired to see a Colombian immigrant elected at age 27 go toe-to-toe with Republican state leaders and veteran county commissioners. In addition to the county judge race, Republican Precinct 4 Commissioner Jack Cagle is running against Democrat Lesley Briones, and Democratic Precinct 2 Commissioner Adrian Garcia is in a rematch with Republican Jack Morman, the former commissioner he narrowly ousted four years ago. I also want to thank Ms. Mealer for a hard-fought campaign & her military service. HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) -- Democrat Lina Hidalgo has won a second term for Harris County Judge in a close race for the top executive position in the county. At first, there was little sign she would face a serious re-election threat, with Harris County appearing to solidify as a Democratic stronghold by 2020. Republican Harris County Judge candidate Alexandra del Moral Mealer talks to supporters during her watch party at Kirby Ice House on Tuesday, Nov. 8, 2022 in Houston. She enjoys traveling and reading romance novels. Violent crime in Harris County has become a key issue in the race for County Judge, with one of the candidates unveiling a law enforcement plan in an effort to curb . "With crime rising, is the focus increasing deputies or is it increasing social workers?" From attacks by Texas Republicans, charges filed against her staff, a well-funded campaign against her and Commissioner Court drama, Hidalgo still finished the year with a win to keep her seat as top county official for the next four years. The Houston Chronicle's editorial board makes an endorsement for the Harris County judge that can be considered crucial in the tight race. LUPE was founded in 1989 by farmworker and civil rights leaders . First elected to the position in 2018 after narrowly defeating her Republican opponent and former Harris County Judge Ed Emmett, Hidalgo is the first woman and Latina to hold the office. Republican Harris County Judge candidate Alexandra del Moral Mealer talks to the media as early election results come in at her watch party at Kirby Ice House on Tuesday, Nov. 8, 2022 in Houston. His statement went on to layout the penalty a class B misdemeanor for failing to meet the deadline. She pointed to a recent city-county gun buyback program and county spending aimed at addressing maternal mortality. Hidalgo cited the two Republicans blockade of a new tax rate as justification, saying they endangered vital county services. Jaime E. Galvan 11/8/2022. The national environment a key factor in the outcome of the county judge race, political experts say now appears to be shifting back in favor of Republicans. Republicans say violent crime is up, Dems say it's down. Brandon Waltens | October 4, 2022. 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. She has created a political base around her campaign to make her race one of the most important and contested races in the state.. "To the extent we work on these issues that affect us all, all of us will do better. They attributed the delay to damaged ballot sheets that must be duplicated before they can be scanned by counting machines, according to Secretary of State John Scotts office. We'll ask them about immigration and the border, climate-fueled flooding, broadband internet, and more. The Early Voting results were reported shortly after the polls closed, Election Day results will be reported, and the remainder of the reconciliation process will continue over the next few days, as we prioritize accuracy over speed, Longorias office said in a statement. That means all votes cast between 7 p.m. and 8 p.m. are being set aside until the high court decides whether they're legitimate and can be counted. Democrats also have a 12-point historic edge in Precinct 2, where Garcia's lead over his challenger and predecessor, Morman, had grown to 5 percentage points by 4 a.m. Pct. McGuinness previously covered the Rhode Island statehouse for the Associated Press and breaking news for the Boston Globe. ), LIVE RESULTS TRACKER: Texas 2022 midterm elections: Live results from Abbott vs. Beto, Hidalgo vs. Mealer and more. Among the big-money conservatives to throw money behind Mealer were Texas oil tycoons Tim Dunn, and Faris Wilks, who became some of Hidalgo's Republican challenger's top donors in October with a $100,000 donation from the Defend Texas Liberty PAC, which the two men fund. Emmett left office in 2019. Staff writers Samantha Ketterer, Yilun Cheng and Elizabeth Trovall contributed to this report. STAY IN THE KNOW, by visiting our website in the next couple of days. She's challenging Democratic incumbent Lina Hidalgo to become the chief executive over county government and head of the Commissioners Court. From attacks by Texas Republicans, charges filed . LIVE UPDATES: 2022 Texas Primary Election Results. Release: Hidalgo County Judge Candidates Will Tackle the Biggest Challenges Facing Colonia, RGV Residents at LUPE Candidate Forum. Election mishaps and conflicting court rulings introduced a degree of uncertainty about when the results would become official. "Hidalgo continues to be the front-runner, primarily because of the makeup of Harris County in terms of partisanship," Cross said. "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. For the latest and best fromChron,sign up for our daily newsletter here. Early voting will begin Monday, October 24, 2022 and will run through. Lina Hidalgo (@LinaHidalgoTX) November 9, 2022. "They do that to get you talking about everything but Harris County. Hidalgo's camp announced that the Democratic judge will make her victory remarks at the office of the Harris County Democratic Party on Wednesday, though they did not confirm when. She enjoys binge-watching anime and films makeup tutorials in her spare time. art. 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. Heres what you need to know. A first-time political candidate, Mealer ran a tough on crime campaign against the Democratic incumbent, criticizing Hidalgo for the countys crime rate and stumping on issues of public safety. Harris County Elections Administrator Isabel Longoria said some paper ballots got wrinkled and jammed, but most votes would be counted on time. Democratic County Judge Lina Hidalgo beat Republican Alexandra del Moral Mealer by more than 18,000 votes. Espaol / English. Lin-Manuel Miranda appeared at a rally Tuesday supporting Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo . "We've worked for a commissioners court that looks like our county and we've worked to make sure that diversity is represented throughout the leadership of county government," she said. Mealer is trying to take full advantage, blanketing the airwaves with campaign ads and outspending the incumbent overall. Dan Patrick, as well as her fellow commissioners Jack Cagle and Tom Ramsey. . Hidalgo has scoffed at Mealers police hiring pledge, pointing to the countys more than 400 unfilled law enforcement positions. Mar 2, 2022. 3 . We are a membership-based organization and our strength is found in the participation of our over eight thousand members. Mayor: HISD has two optionsclose school or be taken over, Rare photos show 2 ocelots crossing South Texas road, Eric Gordon trade looking better and better for Houston Rockets, Willie Nelson pays lovely tribute to another country legend, Hiker takes 'once-in-a-lifetime' photo at Brazos Bend State Park, This Texas Hill Country town is the new, cooler Fredericksburg. Ballotpedia's 2022 elections analysis. Are ticket costs pricing Houston Astros fans out of Opening Day? Its rattlesnake season in Texas. The result could be a 4-1 Democratic powerhouse, the same 3-2 divide or a shift back to a Republican-controlled court. District Clerk Marilyn Burgess led her Democratic challenger in the early returns. Hidalgo has been forced to play defense on the issue, with Mealer and other Republicans pointing to a rise in homicides and overall violent crime in Harris County.
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