The board praised her plans to combat violent crime in the county and promises to clear a backlog of criminal cases at the courthouse. Democrats have won every countywide contest since 2016, including Hidalgos own upset win over popular incumbent Ed Emmett in 2018. Both partys candidates for county clerk the office that ran elections in Harris County until Commissioners Court gave that duty to an independent administrator ran unopposed. Its rattlesnake season in Texas. Greg Abbott, Lt. Gov. pic.twitter.com/WBczbAdXiT, Mealer issued a statement conceding victory on Twitter earlier Wednesday morning, writing: "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. According to a new University of Houston poll, Mealer holds a slight lead with Election Day just two weeks away and early voting already underway. Its rattlesnake season in Texas. 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 . Is Whataburger healthy? LUPE is a 501(c)3 organization Copyright 2023 1601 US-83 BUS, San Juan, TX 78589, Release: Hidalgo County Judge Candidates Will Tackle the Biggest Challenges Facing Colonia, RGV Residents at LUPE Candidate Forum. 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. 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. she shouted to roaring applause. Release: Hidalgo County Judge Candidates Will Tackle the Biggest Challenges Facing Colonia, RGV Residents at LUPE Candidate Forum. 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. It doesn't need to be that way. The result could be a 4-1 Democratic powerhouse, the same 3-2 divide or a shift back to a Republican-controlled court. November 8, 2022 (General) Hidalgo. 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. Hidalgo's reelection campaign also suffered a blow following an unexpected endorsement from the Houston Chronicle Editorial Board co-signing Mealer. Registered Voters as of February 27, 2023 Total 412,899. Brandon Waltens | October 4, 2022. "Hidalgo continues to be the front-runner, primarily because of the makeup of Harris County in terms of partisanship," Cross said. . In Precinct 2, former commissioner Jack Morman and Deer Park Mayor Jerry Mouton led three other candidates. For the first time, the two candidates for Harris County judge, incumbent Lina Hidalgo and challenger Alexandra Mealer, sat down face-to-face. Emmett (Republican Party) . Heres what you need to know. Its rattlesnake season in Texas. Alexandra del Moral Mealer and attorney Vidal Martinez were leading the nine-candidate Republican field for the GOPs nomination for county judge. I am committed to working hard every day . Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo waits to speak to the media after the Harris County Commissioners Court went into executive session Tuesday, Sept. 27, 2022, in Houston. Lina Hidalgo defeated incumbent Ed Emmett and Eric Gatlin in the general election for Harris County Judge on November 6, . She said both local parties, following the secretary of states advice, agreed to seek a court order adjusting the deadline. 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. 2022 Wave elections; Ballotpedia's 2022 elections analysis. The local Democratic Party administers the polling locations on Election Day. 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. Another administrative incumbent, Harris County Treasurer Dylan Osborne, appeared headed for defeat as well, trailing challenger Carla Wyatt. ", Thank you to all those who supported our campaign for good governance pic.twitter.com/ZnjLvtQVTO. The elections took place amid a series of hurdles at the ballot box, culminating Tuesday night with Harris County election officials asking the state for an extension on the 24-hour deadline, required by state law, to count all the votes. But for now, her two GOP challengers are busy slashing at each other before the May 24 runoff election. Texas Ethics Commission . defeat of Republican challenger Alex Mealer in Tuesday's Harris County judge election. Published March 1, 2022. 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. Hidalgo reported having $2 million in her campaign account, giving her a slight edge over Mealers $1.7 million cash on hand. Our goal is to provide voters with impeccable, transparent and timely service for a wide variety of county, city, school, state and federal constitutional elections. Hidalgo-Mealer county judge race is a showdown over Harris County budget and its role in voters' eyes, Timeline: How battle between Houston ISD, TEA has reached the point of a looming takeover. . another GOP candidate for county judge, called Hidalgo a "formidable campaigner," adding that progressives see her as a key component to flipping Texas blue. I am extremely grateful to our supporters and all those who contributed to this campaign. the Hidalgo County health authority, announced he was passing on a campaign for the seat, saying he could . Hidalgo cited the two Republicans blockade of a new tax rate as justification, saying they endangered vital county services. Incumbents in more high-profile local posts, namely Hidalgo and Garcia, fared better. 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. 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. After briefly looking down and taking a pause, Hidalgo continued: "But y'all, didn't I say it would be a sweet victory?". This Houston rodeo food vendor wants you to eat his rattlesnake, Astros GM Dana Brown has more praise team's top prospect, Heres how you can watch 'Daisy Jones and the Six', Proposed Texas bill gives tax cuts to heterosexual families only, These bites won big at the Houston rodeo's foodie awards. See also: Municipal elections in Harris County, Texas (2022) General election. 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. He has also reported on local politics for both papers. 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. Are ticket costs pricing Houston Astros fans out of Opening Day? Edinburg, Texas 78539. Austin, TX, February 8, 2022 With increasingly heated discussions over public safety and rising homicide rates, and a grand jury investigation over an $11 million vaccine outreach contract looming, multiple Democratic and Republican candidates have filed for a chance to challenge Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo in 2022.. Hidalgo faces five challengers in the Democratic primary, most . Harris County judge candidates . Monday, January 31, 2022. "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. 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. 3 . Hidalgo ( Democratic Party) ran for re-election for Harris County Judge in Texas. Republican challenger Alexandra del Moral Mealer has conceded her bid to unseat Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo, with unofficial results show her trailing by just shy of 16,000 votes. 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. In the GOP primary for county treasurer, Kyle Scott led Eric Dick. 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. Those voters had plenty of reasons for their own enthusiasm, including the implementation of a strict abortion ban by Republicans in Texas, and a relatively competitive gubernatorial contest. I sincerely appreciate your vote of confidence in electing me. This is a carousel. 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. Following a challenging Election Night in Harris County plagued by delays and closings of multiple polling locations, voting tallies showed Hidalgo holding onto an unofficial lead of less than two points over Mealer, a West Point graduate and ex-Army captain. 2022 / 08:13 AM CST . She has said the GOP plan would create hundreds of new positions that may never be filled, while preventing raises for the current police officers and cutting critical funding for flood control, public health, and other areas.. Nov. 10, 2022. During a hotly contested primary, she won endorsements from key members of the Harris County Republican establishment, including Precinct 5 Constable Ted Heap, former commissioner Steve Radackand popular furniture magnate Jim Mattress Mack McIngvale. Alexandra del Moral Mealer, the Republican candidate for Harris County Judge, chats with attendees and other candidates running for difference offices during a meet and greet hosted by Magic Circle Republican Women, Log Cabin Republicans of Houston and the Houston Young Republicans in the Heights on Tuesday, Oct. 11, 2022. 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. 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. Staff writers Samantha Ketterer, Yilun Cheng and Elizabeth Trovall contributed to this report. Search Texas Monthly Campaign Finance Reports. 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. "No one really knows what the county judge does. Where do the candidates for Hidalgo County Judge stand on the biggest challenges facing colonia residents and the Rio Grande Valley? 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. Welcome to Hidalgo County! With 205 of 259 precincts reporting in the Democratic primary, Ruben Ramirez was leading in the race for U.S. Representative . Hidalgo has maintained that the scandal was a politically motivated attack and has publicly defended her aides. BY THE NUMBERS: Republicans say violent crime is up, Dems say it's down. Mealer is trying to take full advantage, blanketing the airwaves with campaign ads and outspending the incumbent overall. Ellie Torres (D) Hidalgo County Constable Precinct 5. 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. Attendees of Republican Harris County Judge candidate Alexandra del Moral Mealer watch as the election results come in on the television during her watch party at Kirby Ice House on Tuesday, Nov. 8, 2022 in Houston. Early voting in the March primary begins on Valentine's Day. Fifteen candidates are vying for the position of Harris County judge in the upcoming . Commissioner Jack and Janet Cagle, center, at his election night party at Maize's Restaurant in Houston. Oct. 12, 2022. Sen. Ted Cruz, who endorsed Mealer showed up at Mealer's election watch party. Lina Hidalgo (@LinaHidalgoTX) November 9, 2022. Are insane ticket costs pricing Astros fans out of Opening Day? Poll Watcher's Guide (PDF) Public Information Request (PDF) Election Forms Come find out at a candidate forum hosted by LUPE and LUPE Votes this Friday, February 4th at 5 pm online. 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. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate. That's why tonight we are hosting a forum with the candidates for Hidalgo County Judge in the Democratic Party Primary. Politics A new poll shows the Harris County Judge's race is neck-and-neck. Hidalgo County Elections Department administers the polling locations in the early voting period. 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. While Commissioners Court and the county judge have little practical authority over abortion policy, Hidalgo has argued the court plays a role through its oversight of the county hospital system, which provides reproductive care to residents. "The community has a position on these issues, and they want to know their leader's position. Emmett left office in 2019. The Houston Chronicle's editorial board makes an endorsement for the Harris County judge that can be considered crucial in the tight race. Previously, she was a community news and breaking news reporter for the Austin American-Statesman. Republicans and prominent business leaders in Harris County made unseating Hidalgo a priority. Former Army Capt. Del Moral Mealer is running in the Republican primary for Harris County Judge. The County Judge is the presiding officer of the county commissioners court and the head of emergency management. LUPE was founded in 1989 by farmworker and civil rights leaders . HIDALGO COUNTY, Texas (ValleyCentral) - The race for Hidalgo County Judge has two candidates on the Republican ticket, something that is rare in the Rio Grande Valley. U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz attends Republican Harris County Judge candidate Alexandra del Moral Mealer watch party at Kirby Ice House on Tuesday, Nov. 8, 2022 in Houston. She had poured nearly $1.9 million of her campaign funds into TV ads as of last week, nearly a 3-to-1 advantage over Hidalgo, according to data from the media-tracking firm AdImpact. From attacks by Texas Republicans, charges filed . "With crime rising, is the focus increasing deputies or is it increasing social workers?" The 31-year-old stood in front of supporters applauding and chanting her name at the office of the Harris Democratic Party. Jaime E. Galvan 11/8/2022. Running for Local Offices; Notable Links . "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." Monday, February 14, 2022. 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. Editor's note: This article has been updated to include responses submitted by Alexandra del Moral Mealer. Jasper Scherer covers Texas politics and government for the Houston Chronicle and San Antonio Express-News. What does the data say? She enjoys traveling and reading romance novels. 10:46 AM CDT October 23, 2022 . While Hidalgo has raised millions from small-dollar donors, she has struggled to keep pace with Mealer, who reported a fundraising haul of $4.9 million from July 1 through Sept. 29, the latest period covered by public campaign finance reports. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact our office at (956)318-2570. Lina Hidalgo throws shade at 'furniture salesman' Mattress Mack during victory speech, 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. Despite seeing a barrage of criticisms . 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. Cagle was unopposed on the Republican side. LIVE UPDATES: 2022 Texas Primary Election Results. "The math is clear, and one plus one equals two, but they're still trying to pin that on us," she said. 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. As Hidalgo's woes multiplied in commissioners court, her political opponent continued to rack up high-dollar contributions from well-heeled conservative donors. Hidalgo's staffers being charged in 2022 with helping . art. 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. Const. Particularly among the Democrats, she remains very popular.". Incumbent Judge Lina Hidalgo is running for re-election after securing a historic - and surprising - win in 2018. So, I think it's actually harmful to spend a lot of time talking about issues that aren't in your control," Mealer said. Houston still trails well behind other big cities around the country, many of which experienced a sharper rise in violent crime. Updated: . 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. . "That is a key priority," Hidalgo said. The result: Cagles Republican-leaning precinct became a Democratic-leaning one. The redistricting also cost him familiarity with voters, essentially switching the areas covered by Precincts 3 and 4. Lin-Manuel Miranda appeared at a rally Tuesday supporting Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo for reelection. Adrian Garcia is in a rematch with Republican Jack Morman, Lina Hidalgo and Alexandra Mealer debate Harris County budget, crime and policy, appeared to gain some breathing room over the summer, What you need to know about Lina Hidalgo and Alex Mealer in the race for Harris County judge, refused campaign contributions from county contractors, have relied heavily on firms that do business with the county, has raised millions from small-dollar donors, Hidalgo, Harris County Dems hope for boost from abortion, national trends, but races still competitive over crime, economy. Harris County judge Lina Hidalgo greets her supporters at an primaries election night party at Axelrad Beer Garden, Tuesday, March 1, 2022, in Houston. Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton challenged it after Rogers' ruling, prompting the intervention by the all-Republican Texas Supreme Court. Editor's Note: Calling all Rio Grande Valley candidates. We are a membership-based organization and our strength is found in the participation of our over eight thousand members. 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. Steve Gonzales, Houston Chronicle / Staff photographer, Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo during a COVID-19 press conference in July 2021. 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. 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. Democratic Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo, left, is facing a challenge from Republican Alexandra Moral del Mealer. The primary election is March 1, 2022. 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. Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo and Commissioner Adrian Garcia were set to cruise through local primary elections Tuesday night, but a slew of incumbent judges faced bleaker outcomes at the district courthouse. Bun B, Badu, J.J. Watt celebrate RodeoHouston Southern Takeover, Exclusive: Abbott explains push against diversity hiring programs. Democratic gubernatorial candidate Beto O'Rourke is leading . The Editorial Board. They answered questions from the . 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. The two emerged as victors in a nine-person primary election last month, with Mealer capturing 29 percent to Martinez's 26 percent. 05/09/2022 01:51 PM EDT. And the pandemic is deepened inequality and exacerbated existing divisions. In this one, Mealer is hoping to achieve the same feat, only with the parties swapped. Another candidate for county judge is McAllen City Commissioner Tania Ramirez. Her reporting has aired nationally on NPR's Morning Edition, All Things Considered and Here & Now. "I want to thank Alex Mealer for running a hard-fought campaign," Hidalgo began. Saturday, January 1, 2022. Her biggest donor was Richard Weekley, a Houston-based developer and megadonor who contributed $400,000 to Mealers campaign. Their Republican opponents will need runoffs to determine winners. The Houston region's high number of homicides, the state's new abortion ban and a flood of campaign . The Democratic majority tried to draw Cagle, a Republican who has represented Precinct 4 since 2011, out of office when it passed new precinct maps last year. She was previously a political reporter with the Texas Signal.
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