**Please note** If you are already signed up for the newsletter, you do not need to sign up again. Hidalgo and other county officials are just not acknowledging the severity of the problem, Mealer said. Weve made significant progress on the backlog with a $17 million investment to add additional judges to the bench and fund technical improvements that allow cases to move faster. Right now, we have a public safety crisis, Mealer said. A California-based law firm has accused Arizona Gov. I have full faith in our elected officials and their ability to run a secure, transparent and efficient election and will without question certify the election results as long as our County Clerk and County Tax Assessor testify to the integrity of the process and are the ones administering the election., Gerald Harris on social media: Facebook | Twitter. Trever Nehls declined to give an interview before the primary. Mom of 2, stabbed 8 times, is making most of second chance at life, Mom's bond raised months after being charged with role in son's death, Mom's purse snatched while picking up child from daycare, police say. This Week In Texas' puts spotlight on Harris County Judge's race, Houston-area law enforcement getting 'first-of-its-kind' to combat rise in crime, Political experts believe the Chronicle's endorsement can be crucial in race for Harris County judge. ABC13 reached out to both candidates about Monday's poll. Nov 14, 2021 - Dec 14, 2021 . Barack Obama barely won the county in 2008 and 2012. All Rights Reserved. Democrats also look to be winners in the two county commissioner seats as well, as incumbent Adrian Garcia leads former commissioner Jack Morman 52.6% (105,653) to 47.4% (95,363) in the Precinct 2 commissioners race, while Lesley Briones defeats Republican incumbent Jack Cagle 51.6% (121,391) to 48.4% (113,774). The political environment looks a lot different this year than when Hidalgo, then a political unknown with no managerial experience, won a surprise victory against Ed Emmett, a Republican who was well liked by voters of both major parties. I'm interested in running for this office. Gain access to some of the most knowledgeable and experienced attorneys with our 2 bundle options! Hammering the 31-year-old incumbent over the countys high number of homicides and the criminal indictment of three Hidalgo staffers, Republican Alexandra del Moral Mealer has mounted a robust challenge against Hidalgo prompting GOP donors to open their wallets for the chance to halt Hidalgos political career and retake the seat they lost in 2018. . Updated Lina Hidalgo (D) is running for Harris County Judge. The race has attracted unprecedented money from political donors, with Mealer outraising Hidalgo more than 3 to 1. "During the pandemic, there were some areas of crime that did increase. A new poll shows the Harris County Judge's race is neck-and-neck The poll released by the UH Hobby School of Public Affairs shows Democratic incumbent Lina Hidalgo at 48% among likely voters. Mealer sent a social media post conceding the race on Wednesday . Debevoise Is Ready, Proskauer Lands Cooley Strategy Leader in New C-Suite Role. Access to additional free ALM publications, 1 free article* across the ALM subscription network every 30 days, Exclusive discounts on ALM events and publications. Meanwhile in Fort Bend County, incumbent KP George has narrowly won his reelection bid against former constable Trever Nehls. How will you tackle the criminal court case backlog and the overcrowding at the county jail? **Please note** If you are already signed up for the newsletter, you do not need to sign up again. Alexandra Mealer for Harris County Judge Hispanic Wife/Mother Combat Veteran West Point Harvard JD/MBA I was privileged to serve with Captain Mealer in Fort Campbell, KY and Afghanistan. Someone running on lets purge the rolls and 'I dont believe Trump lost.' So shes running ads about abortion. Then, Democrats were energized by their anger toward Trump, and ORourke was in a tight race against Cruz. Harris County courthouse. Hegar threatened to block Harris County from passing a new proposed budget, even though it included substantial increases to the constables budgets and the countys overall public safety spending. by Joshua Fechter With Such Low Win Rates, Should Law Firms Respond to So Many RFPs? Salary will be commen Pringle Quinn Anzano, P.C. Since taking office, I led a bipartisan commissioners court to invest in reducing the criminal court backlog and successfully cut homelessness by 20%. Hidalgo, who has been dealing with a COVID-19 vaccine bid rigging scandal that has led to three members of her staff being indicted, has fought back by not only attacking Mealers right-wing donors, but rallying her left-wing base on the abortion issue. Elections. A recent Hobby School survey found that among white, Hispanic, and black voters, among women and men, Crime and Public Safety is across the board a consistent a top three issue in 2022. But Mealer faces a tough climb in whats expected to be a tight race for the countys top position. said, explaining why she'd decided to run again in 2022. We anticipated our race would be close, especially given the millions of dollars poured into our far-right opponent's campaign from known extremists, election deniers, anti-voting rights leaders, and developers eager to roll back regulations that help stop flooding to make a profit at our expense. Thats what I believe we need to be moving toward. And Id say the answer is no.. According to a 2020 Brand Keys Consumer . Chris Watson. Hidalgo has rejected Mealers proposal, arguing that the county already has hundreds of unfilled law enforcement positions. Harris County, Texas contains 60 judicial districts, four probate courts and one county court. In a now-deleted YouTube video, Hidalgos campaign screen captured an image with Trump over the shoulder of Mealer. Mealer raised more than $4.9 million from July 1 to Sept. 29, according to her latest campaign finance report dwarfing the $301,000 that Emmett raised in a similar time frame during his unsuccessful 2018 reelection campaign. Rene Cross, executive director of the Hobby School of Public Affairs at the University of Houston, said Hidalgo is very popular among Democrats and very unpopular among Republicans. 2005-2022 Community Impact Newspaper Co. All rights reserved. In the Nov. 8. election, Judge Jason Cox of Harris County Probate Court 3 will face Republican candidate Rory Olsen, who was judge of the same court for several four-year terms. The California-based Harris/Thaler Law Corporation has evidence that connects Hobbs, Secretary of State Adrian Fontes, Runbeck Election Services, and a disturbing number of Chris Carmona for District Judge, 185th Judicial District Chris Carmona received his law degree from South Texas College of Law in Houston and has been successfully practicing multiple areas of law for 12 years. Nehls, the twin brother of Rep. Get highlights, trending news, and behind-the-scenes insights from Houston Public Media delivered to your inbox each week. there are two men on the ballot running for Fort Bend County Judge. Each commissioner also supervises a Road and Bridge District. Submit application to: Bunin said he has also seen how the courts, the judges, the prosecutors, and the politicians have played a role in today's climate a week out from early voting. For more of The Ben Domenech Podcast: https://bit.ly/3SoYZkE. Dave Grohl cooks barbecue for hundreds at shelter, Chocolate peanut butter cups recalled nationwide, Republicans vow to block Biden FAA pick as Democrats, MLB could take over broadcasting of Astros, others, Star-studded lineup set for March Madness Music Festival, Buydowns can lower mortgage rates. ABC13 looked into the Harris County Sheriff's Office crime data and revealed that it didn't matter whether republicans or democrats ran the county. Andrew Schneider is the senior reporter for politics and government at Houston Public Media, NPR's affiliate station in Houston, Texas. The Democratic Party candidates are Ron Campana, Steve Duble, Victor Lombrana, Sonia Lopez, Jonathan JP Preston and Chris Watson. By Rachel Carlton Jones says one reason for Mealer's surge is the top issue. If they fail to retake the seat, they fear it could be curtains for them in the states most populous county Harris residents account for 16% of the states population and that could make it harder to maintain their hold on statewide power. They are increasingly treating their bid to unseat Hidalgo as a last stand. 13 Investigates looked at the latest Harris County Sheriff's Office crime, and the data reveals it does not seem to matter whether it's a republican or democrat running the county. We can't do a greater percentage. I frankly view all of this as a distraction from the actual county judge position, Mealer said. Houston Matters Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo Plans To Run For Reelection In 2022. HARRIS COUNTY, Texas (KTRK) -- Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo's political future is on the line for 2022. Mealer, however, doesnt see a need to weigh in. Before I was elected, county government flew under the radar, dodged tough decisions and operated reactively, not proactively. "I think it's very political and it's basically split among the parties," Bunin said. RELATED: 1 week from early voting, crime and public safety are key issues as Election Day approaches, Mom of 2, stabbed 8 times, is making most of second chance at life, Mom's bond raised months after being charged with role in son's death, Mom's purse snatched while picking up child from daycare, police say. October 14, 2022 . Building an early childhood education system that gives every child in our county a fair start in life. Below the Waterlines: Houston After Hurricane Harvey, Lucio Vasquez / Houston Public Media| Alexandra del Moral Mealer's website, Q&A with Lina Hidalgo: Harris County judge discusses pressing issues facing Houston region, Harris County Precinct 5 Constable's Office, Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo explains evolving stance on toxic wastewater shipments from Ohio, Toxic wastewater shipments from Ohio trail derailment headed back to Houston area, Firefighting wastewater from Ohio train derailment began arriving in Deer Park last week, Hidalgo says, Santa Fe High School shooter remains mentally incompetent to stand trial, further dragging on 5-year-old case, Houston remains one of the most affordable big cities in the U.S., even if it no longer feels like it, Santa Fe shooting survivor Trey Louis tugs at judges heartstrings on American Idol, Bun B announces part of RodeoHouston Southern Takeover lineup, DPS sent at least 3,000 drivers licenses to organized crime group targeting Asian Texans, A bill making illegal voting a felony, again, advances in the Texas Senate, Firefighting wastewater from Ohio train derailment to be disposed of in Harris County, experts say it's a common process. Oct. 20, 20225 AM Central. Hildago, who opened a 10-point lead in recent polling, is accusing Mealer of being an election denier and is questioning whether she would respect the voting wishes of Harris County. "With the pandemic, not just us but cities all around the country saw an increase in crime. "The county judge race is a great example of the axiom, every vote matters, because that's a race that may be decided by a handful of votes one way or another," Jones said. Mealer sent a social media post conceding the race on Wednesday morning. Alex is the Real Deal. Harris County oversees the sheriffs department and the constables who provide law enforcement for some 2 million people living in unincorporated areas of the county as well as other criminal justice responsibilities like the jail, criminal courts and prosecutors. Hidalgo has 546,745 total votes for 50.7%, while Mealer has 530,788 total votes for 49.3%. Rodeo grub: Crazy good food and just plain crazy! 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. Shes been tested in a way very few people in public life have been tested because of so many crises.. I would say shes a narrow favorite to win, Keir Murray, a Houston Democratic strategist, said of Hidalgo. Why are you running for the role of county judge? Hidalgo argues that the issue is relevant given that the county appoints board members of the Harris Health System, which provides abortions when theyre medically necessary, she said. The Arizona Legislature's Senate Elections Committee and House Municipal Oversight & Elections Committee held a joint hearing on Thursday featuring testimony from several people involved in researching the voter disenfranchisement that occurred in 2020 and 2022. Although she spends most of her weekends outside of Harris County, namely to fundraise in D.C., she is not running for national office, and she is not running against Trump. In this capacity, he heads the station's coverage of national, state, and local elections. Houston Public Media is supported with your gifts to the Houston Public Media Foundation and is licensed to the University of Houston. 2. Ive steered Harris County through a winter storm, chemical fires, floods, hurricanes and COVID[-19]. Follow Rachel on Twitter: @rachelcarlton23. I'm interested in running for Harris County Judge, Harris County Board of Elections, 1001 Preston, Houston, Texas, 77002, US. As of 9:20 a.m. Wednesday with 100% of the precincts reporting, Hidalgo, the Democrat, leads Mealer by just under 16,000 votes. Pleasesee my stance on elections on my website and note that our County Tax Assessor, Ann Harris Bennett, has voiced similar concerns. "If you live in Dallas or Harris or Travis County, there is a very good chance every judge elected to the bench is going to be a Democrat, and in some of the rural counties, it will be the . And voters recognize it. HARRIS COUNTY, Texas Democratic incumbent Judge Lina Hidalgo will serve another term as county judge for Texas' most populous county after Republican challenger Alexandra del Moral. RELATED: Political experts believe the Chronicle's endorsement can be crucial in race for Harris County judge, "Our latest budget has $1.5 billion dollars toward crime," she said in late August. HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) -- As early voting began Monday, a new poll revealed how tight the race is for Harris County judge. I look forward to returning those duties back to their offices. Texas Molecular, the company contracted to dispose of the wastewater, informed Judge Lina Hidalgo Thursday that the first shipments had arrived by truck around Wednesday, February 15. He also reports on major policy issues before the Texas Legislature and county and city governments Let the Houston Public Media newsroom help you start your day. She practiced family law and juvenile law and . I think shes shown a remarkable ability to exercise leadership during a moment of crisis and, in her case, a series of crises, said County Commissioner Rodney Ellis, a Democrat and Hidalgo ally. Its almost like the flip side of President Trump: People either love him or hate him, Cross said. With my plan to aggressively fund our entire criminal justice, we will expedite the court case backlog and close the revolving door at the county jail. Democratic primary election Democratic primary for Harris County District Clerk Incumbent Marilyn Burgess defeated Desiree Broadnax in the Democratic primary for Harris County District Clerk on March 1, 2022. [The county] stripped the constables and the district attorney of their saving accounts during an unprecedented crime epidemic, and the other commissioners and denied the overwhelming majority of their budget requests. Harris County is a place where former President Trump lost by 13 points. Women, Influence & Power in Law UK Awards 2023, Legalweek Leaders in Tech Law Awards 2023, LITIGATION ATTORNEY - ATLANTA, GEORGIA- ENTRY LEVEL, AARONSON RAPPAPORT FEINSTEIN & DEUTSCH, LLP, The Art of Entertainment Law: A Conversation with Robert A. Celestin, Buying Legal Council Appoints Jason Winmill as New Chair, Understanding the Las Vegas Crime Rate with Attorney Tony Sgro, Introducing Virginia Ivanova, Esq. Its much broader, its national. 1. Its okay, you may agree you may disagree, but the democracy depends on participation, Hidalgo said. And while every countywide position is held by a Democrat, the county judges seat has been in Democratic hands for only four years. Harris County Board of Elections, 1001 Preston, Houston, Texas, 77002, US. What is the biggest issue facing Harris County right now, and how do you plan to address it? Tuesday, March 1, 2022. . Mealer has focused her campaign on crime and grilled Hidalgo over law enforcement spending, which makes up about 60% of the countys $2.1 billion general fund budget and has grown every year Hidalgo has been in office. Abortion has really come to the forefront of peoples minds right now, Hidalgo said. Its not a matter of adding more boots, Hidalgo said. Precinct 8 Phil Sandlin. Hidalgo has criticized that approach as short-sighted. Eight percent of voters are still undecided. We have two Democratic women in office that had their duties stripped away from them by Lina Hidalgo - they were elected by the people and answerable to the people of Harris County. Lina - you raised your hand and said you wanted to lead this County, stop talking to your national donors and get up on stage with me and defend your policies to the voters of Harris County., RELATED: Public safety a top priority in race for Harris County judge. I watched as petty crime in my neighborhood turned into violent crime, and our local officials refused to even acknowledge the problem, let alone try to find solutions to immediately address the issue. Hidalgo also has clashed with local and statewide Republicans over the countys public safety spending. Judge Hidalgo surprised many by being elected as the first woman judge and defeating a Republican incumbent. "I saw my. Jason Cox, the incumbent, is running against former judge Rory Olsen, a visiting probate judge and mediator. ABC13 checked with the Harris County Sheriff's Office and learned as of Monday, Oct. 17, there are 235 openings for deputies. Don't miss the crucial news and insights you need to make informed legal decisions. We made developers follow the strictest water detention standards so that as the county grows it doesnt flood more. The Houston regions high number of homicides, the states new abortion ban and a flood of campaign cash have made for a dramatic race to lead the states most populous county. Luong then practiced law with two civil trial law firms in Houston. HARRIS COUNTY, Texas (KTRK) -- A sticking point in the county's budget is funding law enforcement as democrats and republicans stake their positions on public safety heading into a hotly contested race for Harris County judge. Men on the ballot running for the newsletter, you do not need to be tight! A last stand Sonia Lopez, Jonathan JP Preston and Chris Watson openings! Experienced attorneys with our 2 bundle options in Houston donors, with outraising. 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