hidalgo county judge candidates 2022 hidalgo county judge candidates 2022

Hidalgo has touted her record steering the county through several major emergencies, including the COVID-19 pandemic and last years winter storm, and establishing programs focused on early childhood education, pandemic recovery and environmental health and monitoring. I am committed to working hard every day . (Jon Shapley, Staff photographer), Bun B, Badu, J.J. Watt celebrate RodeoHouston Southern Takeover, Exclusive: Abbott explains push against diversity hiring programs. Its rattlesnake season in Texas. Throughout her reelection campaign, Hidalgo faced an onslaught of criticism from state Republicans, including Gov. Hector de Leon, who works for the county clerk's office that used to oversee elections, analyzed early vote data to show some turnout trends among different demographic categories. "The math is clear, and one plus one equals two, but they're still trying to pin that on us," she said. Sort of. MLB legend makes surprise appearance at Astros' Spring Training, Houston is ugly, and I've never felt more at home, Texas A&M upset win clears path for UH to snag top overall seed, Oops! That is not guaranteed, though, given the narrow nature of their leads and the in-limbo status of the set-aside ballots. Commissioner Jack and Janet Cagle, center, at his election night party at Maize's Restaurant in Houston. 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. But for now, her two GOP challengers are busy slashing at each other before the May 24 runoff election. Rest assured that I take, very seriously, the responsibility to serve all of Hidalgo County. A new study says yes. ), LIVE RESULTS TRACKER: Texas 2022 midterm elections: Live results from Abbott vs. Beto, Hidalgo vs. Mealer and more. Lina Hidalgo reelected as Harris County judge. From attacks by Texas Republicans, charges filed . Vendor Portal . 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. Texas 2022 elections: Who won, who lost Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo won reelection after a close race against well-funded opponent Alexandra del Moral Mealer. Hidalgo County residents and colonia residents in particular are on the frontlines of the biggest challenges facing the nation and the world. Registered Voters as of February 27, 2023 Total 412,899. 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. Lina Hidalgo ( Democratic Party) is the Harris County Judge in Texas. The redistricting also cost him familiarity with voters, essentially switching the areas covered by Precincts 3 and 4. The 31-year-old stood in front of supporters applauding and chanting her name at the office of the Harris Democratic Party. ", Thank you to all those who supported our campaign for good governance pic.twitter.com/ZnjLvtQVTO. 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 . Democratic incumbent Lina Hidalgo is running for a second term as Harris County Judge. Last Day to Apply for Ballot by Mail (Received, not Postmarked) Friday, February 18, 2022. 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. Hidalgo's conservative commissioners court colleagues have accused the judge of "defunding the police," a claim she has fiercely denied. 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. 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. Taken on September 7, 2022. Running for Local Offices; Notable Links . She's challenging Democratic incumbent Lina Hidalgo to become the chief executive over county government and head of the Commissioners Court. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate. Hidalgo also faced more specific challenges, including her fundraising disadvantage and a corruption probe. Editor's Note: Calling all Rio Grande Valley candidates. 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. Nov. 10, 2022. "But we earned every vote and not with exaggerations or falsehoods. 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. 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. Hidalgos Republican opponent, Alexandra del Moral Mealer raised 4x the amount of fundraising money in her bid. Alexandra del Moral Mealer and attorney Vidal Martinez were leading the nine-candidate Republican field for the GOPs nomination for county judge. Dan Patrick, and Texas Comptroller Glen Hegar, particularly with accusations that she was "defunding" the police. Hidalgo also found herself at the center of controversy earlier this year after three of her top aides were indicted by a grand jury. 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 . ", Before closing out her speech, Hidalgo turned attention to any who don't believe she won her reelection fair and square. We pride ourselves on doing our best, being responsible with taxpayer . Hidalgo's ethics argument also been blunted by the felony indictment of three current and former aides on charges of misuse of official information and tampering. 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. Greg Abbott, Lt. Gov. another GOP candidate for county judge, called Hidalgo a "formidable campaigner," adding that progressives see her as a key component to flipping Texas blue. Five lower-ballot Republicans had narrow advantages for criminal or civil court benches, though Democrats were leading in most contests. Recent polls reflected the two candidates were in a virtual dead heat, with Mealer up two points over Hidalgo. FOX 26 Houston. McGuinness previously covered the Rhode Island statehouse for the Associated Press and breaking news for the Boston Globe. Her biggest donor was Richard Weekley, a Houston-based developer and megadonor who contributed $400,000 to Mealers campaign. It doesn't need to be that way. Democratic Precinct 2 commissioner Adrian Garcia's, 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. That fundraising ability allowed Mealer to distribute TV ads hammering home her message that crime is out of control and Hidalgo is to blame. Elections 2022 Election Guide: Harris County and Texas races to watch . She has created a political base around her campaign to make her race one of the most important and contested races in the state.. This 10 percentage point lead by . Democratic Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo, left, is facing a challenge from Republican Alexandra Moral del Mealer. 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. Join ABC13's political reporter Tom Abrahams as he talks with Democrat County Judge Lina Hidalgo and her Republican opponent, Alexandra del Moral Mealer, about this November's general election. A strong gender gap exists in the vote for county judge, with Hidalgo holding a 12% lead over del Moral Mealer among women (52% to 40%), while del Moral Mealer . A native Houstonian, Jen graduated from Barnard College at Columbia University and earned a master's degree from University of Texas at Austin's LBJ School of Public Affairs. Last Day to Register to Vote. In April, three Hidalgo staff members, including her chief of staff, were indicted for misuse of official information and tampering with government evidence. Cagle was unopposed on the Republican side. He has also reported on local politics for both papers. Members shall draw lots to determine who serves which terms. The judge congratulated other candidates who . 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. She's facing challengers . Sen. Ted Cruz, who endorsed Mealer showed up at Mealer's election watch party. If you are running in the March 2022 primaries, we want to hear from you. It is an honor and a privilege to serve as your County Judge. "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. Jack Cagle is running against Democrat Lesley Briones. Its rattlesnake season in Texas. Former Army captain Alexandra Del Moral Mealer won her primary in May, securing her as the Republican candidate for Harris County judge against Hidalgo in November. Eight district court judges and two county court-at-law judges trailed opponents in early returns for the Democratic primary elections, results that figure to introduce a significant amount of turnover on local benches. 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. He joined the Hearst Austin bureau in 2021 after nearly three years as a City Hall reporter for the Chronicle and a prior stint covering Bexar County for the Express-News. Turnout overall was down 10 percent, but de Leon noted it still marked the second-highest turnout for a midterm election here. And Mealer, 38, a retired Army veteran, ran a spirited campaign arguing that Hidalgo has forsaken public safety in the name of extracurricular goals. Updated: Jun 18, 2021 / 01:46 PM CDT. Oct. 12, 2022. This is due to Hidalgo facing scrutiny over allegations of not doing enough to combat a rise in crime and an ongoing lawsuit over an $11 million COVID-19 outreach . Are insane ticket costs pricing Astros fans out of Opening Day? We need more vaccine, Turner said. Hidalgo cited the two Republicans blockade of a new tax rate as justification, saying they endangered vital county services. 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. Monday, February 14, 2022. You can't just look the other way on so many issues.". Lina Hidalgo, a rising Democratic star, faces a tough reelection race to lead Harris County. 5 Deputy Corporal Charles Galloway. 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 contract was ultimately rescinded, and Hidalgo has continuously defended her office and aides in relation to the indictment. 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. Republicans say violent crime is up, Dems say it's down. Hidalgo ( Democratic Party) ran for re-election for Harris County Judge in Texas. 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. "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." 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. The result: Cagles Republican-leaning precinct became a Democratic-leaning one. Ariana Garcia joined Chron in 2021. Lina Hidalgo (@LinaHidalgoTX) November 9, 2022. . Alexandra Mealer is a tenacious campaigner, said Jessica Coln, a Houston-based Republican strategist who is uninvolved in the race. Help us ask the candidates for Hidalgo County Judge the challenging questions. . Const. Mealer said. Ed Emmett (Republican Party) was the Harris County Judge in Texas. 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. Minerva Diaz (R) Hidalgo County Commissioner Precinct 4. Marie D. De Jess/Staff photographer . More than 80 percent of Mealer's contributions were spent on advertising, while Hidalgo spent more than 87 percent, according to a report from Community Impact. 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. For several election cycles, Houston-area voters have favored Democrats over Republicans. Harris County judgeLina Hidalgotalks to her supporters at a primaries election night party, Tuesday, March 1, 2022, in Houston. 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. 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. Jaime E. Galvan 11/8/2022. Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo tries to win re-election but faces a challenge from Republican Alexandra . For the latest and best fromChron,sign up for our daily newsletter here. Previously, she was a community news and breaking news reporter for the Austin American-Statesman. defeat of Republican challenger Alex Mealer in Tuesday's Harris County judge election. Hidalgo's reelection campaign also suffered a blow following an unexpected endorsement from the Houston Chronicle Editorial Board co-signing Mealer. Quick Links. She has evolved into a savvy, hard-nosed, driven candidate, and she has been incredibly successful in raising the funds necessary to compete with Lina Hidalgo. Dan Patrick, as well as her fellow commissioners Jack Cagle and Tom Ramsey. "She does seem to evoke strong emotions in either party. . Democrat Lina Hidalgo has secured a second term as Harris County Judge, defeating her Republican challenger Alex Mealer in a highly contested race for the head of the county's governing body. 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. He grew up in Connecticut, graduated from Northeastern University in Boston, and is a die-hard Red Sox fan. 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. This is a carousel. 2022 Wave elections; I want to thank each & every voter who showed up to make their voice heard this election. 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. LUPE is a nonprofit organization that helps the community organize for and win a better quality of life. 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. "That is a key priority," Hidalgo said. "We believe and we stick to our values and that's what we brought to county government," Hidalgo told supporters at the Sam Houston Hotel late Tuesday, appearing with fellow Democrats Garcia and Precinct 1 Commissioner Rodney Ellis. Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo saw her most challenging year in politics in 2022. She pointed to a recent city-county gun buyback program and county spending aimed at addressing maternal mortality. Fellow Democrat Adrian Garcia also secured another term as Precinct 2 commissioner, defeating Republican Jack Morman, who held the seat before Garcia won it four years ago. 2023 Commissioner's Court Meetings Calendar. Incumbents in more high-profile local posts, namely Hidalgo and Garcia, fared better. 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. Mealer concedes to Hidalgo in Harris County judge race, Democrats likely to expand majority, Timeline: How battle between Houston ISD, TEA has reached the point of a looming takeover. On Friday, Hidalgo County Judge Richard . Procedures for Candidates, 2019-2021. 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. 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. Unofficial results for county, state and federal primary races have been released in Hidalgo County, with voters casting ballots in races, including county judge, criminal district attorney and governor. In the process, she became a champion to progressives who said that focus helped struggling households that the countys previously limited government left behind. 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 . Republican challenger Alexandra del Moral Mealer has conceded her bid to unseat Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo, with unofficial results show her trailing by . Her opponent, Republican challenge . 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. Astros GM Dana Brown the antithesis of his predecessors, Texas wants to ban delta-8, but veterans are pushing back, UH, Texas A&M removing DEI statements from hiring practices, Houston is the most stressful city to work in, says new study, The Breakfast Klub sues prominent City Hall consultant for fraud, Lauren Daigle at Houston Rodeo: 'God always has your number', Galveston gets fourth Carnival Cruise Line. Her current term ends on December 31, 2026. Elections Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo throws shade at Mattress Mack, local leaders during victory speech. Members of her own party also tried to "preserve the status quo," Hidalgo said without naming anyone in particular. The balance of the five-member court is at stake in this election, with three incumbents up for re-election in competitive races. 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. Greg Abbott, Lt. Gov. 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. Judge Lina Hidalgo moved the COVID - 19 Threat to Level Orange at Houston Transtar Thursday, July 22, 2021, in Houston. . 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. One of the first priorities for newly elected County Judge Lina Hidalgo was to push through an historic 8% property tax increase - the maximum property tax increase allowed. 4 candidate Lesley Briones talks to her supporters at her watch party at Cottonwood on N. Shepherd Tuesday Nov. 08,2022.Also pictured are her daughters Catalina, Ana Lucia and Valentina. During the March primaries, incumbent Lina Hidalgo took a huge lead as the Democratic nominee, but the race seems neck-and-neck against Republican Alexandra del Moral Mealer . With 205 of 259 precincts reporting in the Democratic primary, Ruben Ramirez was leading in the race for U.S. Representative . Ellie Torres (D) Hidalgo County Constable Precinct 5. They asked the federal government for additional vaccine doses due to rising, but still relatively small, numbers of cases. Despite the odds seemingly piling up against Hidalgo as Election Day approached, the 31-year-old Democrat still managed to come out on top. [Tex. Onward! I want to thank each & every voter who showed up to make their voice heard this election. 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. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate. Employees Only. Democratic County Judge Lina Hidalgo beat Republican Alexandra del Moral Mealer by more than 18,000 votes. 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. Turnout in the top 10 majority Black ZIP codes was down 15 percent from 2018, for example. 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. Updated: . Former Army Capt. Hidalgo and other Democrats hoped that firewall would help them stave off challenges in a race where their contests appear in the latter pages of a drawn-out ballot. And there is something for us to do. March 2022 marks an unusually crowded primary season for Harris County politics, with three Harris County . 3 . 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Texas 2022 Elections Texas' 2022 races coming into focus as candidate filings close. So, I think it's actually harmful to spend a lot of time talking about issues that aren't in your control," Mealer said. 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. As many of you know, I am not a stranger to public service. The local Democratic Party administers the polling locations on Election Day. Democrats on Tuesday generally faced a hostile climate, with President Joe Bidens lagging approval numbers, the uptick in crime and rising inflation all dragging on their enthusiasm. ", "Sure she had almost $10 million in the bank, a U.S. senator, a furniture salesman, unscrupulous folks who were willing to tell lies, and a baffling editorial board endorsement representing the establishment," Hidalgo said. Harris County Commissioner Pct. Hidalgo touts among her . After briefly looking down and taking a pause, Hidalgo continued: "But y'all, didn't I say it would be a sweet victory?". 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. 2022 Election. Early voting will begin Monday, October 24, 2022 and will run through. 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.. 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. What does the data say? Hidalgo, Garcia cruise through primary, while incumbent judges struggle, Timeline: How battle between Houston ISD, TEA has reached the point of a looming takeover.