who is running for harris county judge 2022
We're in the process of transitioning services for our Today in Houston newsletter. I think thats the big key: Are we appropriately resourced? Mealer said. As county judge, I will support using toll road dollars to maintain and expand our roadway system and advocate for partnership funding. Mealer has said she would pay for the additional officers with a combination of budget cuts and federal stimulus dollars, though she hasnt released a detailed plan. Customer Service| Application Guidelines 1) Contact the Harris County Elections Office to confirm that your registered address qualifies you for the position you intend to run for, and that you meet other office specific qualifications. Great opportunity for advancement. "With the pandemic, not just us but cities all around the country saw an increase in crime. The Commissioners Court sets the County tax rate, adopts the budget, appoints boards and commissions, approves grants and personnel actions, and oversees the administration of county government. Its not a matter of adding more boots, Hidalgo said. **Please note** If you are already signed up for the newsletter, you do not need to sign up again. It's unprecedented that after starting as an unknown, in just seven months of general election campaigning, Lina and I are in a dead heat. 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. Eight percent of voters are still undecided. But that doesn't mean crime is not worse by some metrics. Abortion has really come to the forefront of peoples minds right now, Hidalgo said. 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. For more of The Ben Domenech Podcast: https://bit.ly/3SoYZkE. Its almost like the flip side of President Trump: People either love him or hate him, Cross said. George, a Democrat, beat Nehls with 126,828 total votes, or 51.6% of the vote. The race has attracted unprecedented money from political donors, with Mealer outraising Hidalgo more than 3 to 1. 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. In a now-deleted YouTube video, Hidalgos campaign screen captured an image with Trump over the shoulder of Mealer. 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. What is the biggest issue facing Harris County right now, and how do you plan to address it? Houston billionaire Jeffery Hildebrand and wife Melinda also gave Mealer $350,000. Its our 10th year participating in Amplify, and to celebrate, weve got $15,000 in matching funds from four generous Tribune supporters. 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. In an interview this past summer, the Republican nominee for Harris County Judge, Alexandra del Moral Mealer, said crime was a big reason she threw her hat into the race. Resources like these are made possible by the generosity of our community of donors, foundations, and corporate partners. Harris County Judge's race is a "Statistical Dead Heat" New. 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. Submit application to: Website: www.oscargonzalesforharriscountyjudge.com Contact information: 713-208-5721 Warren A. Howell Experience: manager and owner of businesses for over 50 years in construction, manufacturing,. A West Point graduate and ex-Army captain who served for a decade in Afghanistan, Mealer has put Hidalgo on the defensive over the countys crime numbers which mirror trends seen in most major U.S. metropolitan areas during the COVID-19 pandemic and a criminal court backlog that dates back to Hurricane Harvey, before Hidalgo took office. Oct. 20, 20225 AM Central. Precinct 8 Phil Sandlin. The race pins current Democratic County JudgeLina Hidalgo against Alex Mealer, a Republican endorsed by Senator Ted Cruz. Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo, left, and Alexandra del Moral Mealer, Hidalgos opponent, talk to members of the Houston Chronicle editorial board on Sept. 29. criminal indictment of three Hidalgo staffers, a common practice among county commissioners, the effect on violent crime is less clear. Our priority on commissioners court will be public safety, and as long as we are in agreement that that is the top priority, we will be able to find ways to work together. Harris County, Texas contains 60 judicial districts, four probate courts and one county court. Each commissioner also supervises a Road and Bridge District. To tackle this unprecedented rise in crime there is a funding element and a legal element. Your Real Estate Legal and Brokerage Expert. Harris County votes still being . 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. 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. 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 . 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. I'm running to protect our progress and keep Harris County moving forward. Continuing to strengthen our flood resilience and our disaster preparedness. Hidalgo and her fellow Democrats have accused the Republicans of defunding law enforcement by blocking a proposed $123 million increase in public safety spending. Mealer also received $100,000 from the hard-right Defend Texas Liberty PAC, backed by donors including West Texas oil magnates Tim Dunn and Farris Wilks and headed by former state Rep. Jonathan Stickland, a Bedford Republican. Katie Hobbs, Secretary of State Adrian Fontes, Runbeck Election Services, and a slew of other election officials, mayors, judges, city councilman, and county supervisors in the state of receiving bribes from the Sinaloa cartel. Its clearly not a localized phenomenon, said Sandra Guerra Thompson, a professor at the University of Houstons Law Center. Texas Democrats Thrash Republicans in 2022 Midterm Election, Law.com Editors and Analysts Offer Top Trends to Watch for 2023. Through the efficient movement of people and goods, we can maintain the competitiveness of the Port of Houston 20% of Texas GDPand continue to attract families and businesses to Harris County. Copyright 2023 KTRK-TV. HARRIS COUNTY, Texas The race for Harris County Judge is one of the most closely watched races this cycle. "Didn't really understand what that change was, chief of it being petty crime turning to violent crime.". Hidalgo has rejected Mealers proposal, arguing that the county already has hundreds of unfilled law enforcement positions. Jason Cox, the incumbent, is running against former judge Rory Olsen, a visiting probate judge and mediator. If you'd like to sign up now, fill out the form below and we will add you as soon as we finish the transition. According to a 2020 Brand Keys Consumer . With early voting underway, Jones says the poll shows just how important voting is. 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 It has been called Dr. Seuss Day because of this. Ive steered Harris County through a winter storm, chemical fires, floods, hurricanes and COVID[-19]. The number of homicides in Harris County grew to 566 in 2020 a 42% increase from the previous year, before COVID-19 hit. It is a complex issue with no easy solution, but as we get closer to going to the polls, there is no doubt, based on recent surveys and polling, that crime and public safety will be a factor in how Harris County voters cast their ballots. The county's chief administrator talks about her future and issues facing the county with Houston Matters . Mealer outraised every statewide Republican candidate except for Abbott during that period. RELATED: 'This Week In Texas' puts spotlight on Harris County Judge's race, "I don't think Houston or Texas is different from most parts of the country," Alex Bunin, the chief public defender in Harris County, said. Our Team Account subscription service is for legal teams of four or more attorneys. Law.com Compass includes access to our exclusive industry reports, combining the unmatched expertise of our analyst team with ALMs deep bench of proprietary information to provide insights that cant be found anywhere else. 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. Andrew Schneider is the senior reporter for politics and government at Houston Public Media, NPR's affiliate station in Houston, Texas. 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. 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. My obligation as judge will be to our residents above partisan politics. At the same time, Harris County courts have struggled to tackle a criminal case backlog that dates back five years to Hurricane Harvey and grew during the COVID-19 pandemic as courts stopped holding in-person trials. But Mealer faces a tough climb in whats expected to be a tight race for the countys top position. The race pins current Democratic. Our second option allows you to build your bundle and strategically select the content that pertains to your needs. There have been some glitches on this Election Day for the nation's first primary of 2022. At issue now is how to fight crime and fund public safety. **Please note** If you are already signed up for the newsletter, you do not need to sign up again. Four years after she unexpectedly ousted a well-liked Republican to lead the nations third-most-populous county, Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo is in a pitched reelection battle against a well-funded Republican opponent imperiling her partys hopes that the Democratic superstar could one day ascend to statewide office. Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo 1001 Preston, Suite 911 Houston, Texas 77002 Phone: 713-274-7000 Fax: 713-755-8379. . Since taking office, I led a bipartisan commissioners court to invest in reducing the criminal court backlog and successfully cut homelessness by 20%. 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. We shifted to a "worst first" model. Shes been tested in a way very few people in public life have been tested because of so many crises.. ", SEE ALSO: Houston-area law enforcement getting 'first-of-its-kind' to combat rise in crime. Harris County Judge's race is a "Statistical Dead Heat". This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. 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. Houston Matters Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo Plans To Run For Reelection In 2022. In an interview this past summer, the Republican nominee for Harris County Judge, Alexandra del Moral Mealer, said crime was a big reason she threw her hat into the race. For updates on this story, follow Tom Abrahams on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Over ten years' worth of data was analyzed, revealing that violent crime increased between 2011 and 2018, while property crime decreased while republicans were in office. Justice delayed is justice denied. Like Texas other major urban counties, Harris County has grown increasingly Democratic over the past decade. there are two men on the ballot running for Fort Bend County Judge. If you'd like to sign up now, fill out the form below and we will add you as soon as we finish the transition. With Such Low Win Rates, Should Law Firms Respond to So Many RFPs? So tell me, what does this company tell you about Lina Hidalgo?. In terms of elections in Harris County, I fully support returning elections back to our elected officials, regardless of their political affiliation. Its a matter of adding feet to the boots.. Mealer says the money is in the wrong place. 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. And the big absence is how many constables have you added? "I saw my neighborhood started to change," Mealer told ABC13. Mealer sent a social media post conceding the race on Wednesday morning. So partly, I felt a responsibility to address an issue that is so, so salient.. Terri Schultz. Double your gift when you give by 6 p.m. Thursday. It's zero.". 2 in November 2022, replacing then-sitting Judge Ronnisha Bowman. "That is a key priority," Hidalgo said. "I just loved being a judge before and really felt like I had a calling to come back, if possible." Judge Goodhart was elected to the bench of Harris County Criminal Court at Law No. The testimony by Arizona forensic investigator Jacqueline Breger accused multiple statewide and county officials, including . The next year saw homicides grow at a slower pace about 12% to 633 homicides. ABC13 checked with the Harris County Sheriff's Office and learned as of Monday, Oct. 17, there are 235 openings for deputies. Shes pointing out a campaign platform thats since been deleted by Mealer, detailing her plans to clean voter rolls. It is imperative to have safe and efficient roadway systems, which is accomplished through investment in maintenance and roadway expansions. Mealer is responding in a statement said: Lina Hidalgo is desperate to avoid discussing the critical issues facing Harris County residents due to her extensive record of failures. It's a big answer. 2005-2022 Community Impact Newspaper Co. All rights reserved. Its much broader, its national. Site Map, Advertise| But the scandal has given Republicans an opening to clobber Hidalgo who has often touted her ethical bona fides such as not taking campaign contributions from donors who do business with the county, a common practice among county commissioners. Its okay, you may agree you may disagree, but the democracy depends on participation, Hidalgo said. "Crime and public safety is the dominant issue and that gives a real advantage to Alex Mealer because a plurality of Harris County voters believe she is the one who's best suited to handle the county's strong problems with crime and public safety," Jones explained. 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. "During the pandemic, there were some areas of crime that did increase. Here is what the Hidalgo campaign sent to ABC13: "Judge Hidalgo successfully led Harris County through natural disasters and a global pandemic - all while making record-breaking investments in public safety and overhauling systems that did a disservice to our county. All Rights Reserved. Women, Influence & Power in Law UK Awards honors women lawyers who have made a remarkable difference in the legal profession. Both options are priced the same. In the time Ive been in office, weve been able to tackle issues that went unaddressed for too long, Hidalgo said in an interview. October 14, 2022 . When I launched my campaign in November of 2021, public safety was my top priority. In this capacity, he heads the station's coverage of national, state, and local elections. Disclosure: Texans for Lawsuit Reform and the University of Houston have been financial supporters of The Texas Tribune, a nonprofit, nonpartisan news organization that is funded in part by donations from members, foundations and corporate sponsors. | Hillary Clinton and Biden both won there by wider margins, as did Beto ORourke when he challenged U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz in 2018. Why are you running for the role of county judge? Hidalgo said the county is spending record amounts of money on an approach that does not only include additional law enforcement and in our interview late this summer cited a seven percent decrease in violent crime year to year. Now, Hidalgo is running on her record, particularly her response to multiple disasters, including the COVID-19 pandemic during which she built a national profile and became one of the states most recognizable Democrats. "And for those who say they might do more, that is two-thirds of the county budget going towards justice and going towards safety. by Joshua Fechter Ballot running for the role of County Judge tight race for Harris County moving forward Plans Run... Thats the big absence is how Many constables have you added platform thats since deleted. 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