How will you balance meeting the countys infrastructure needs with ensuring the health and well-being of county residents? That has absolutely nothing to do with the county judge.. Mealer outraised every statewide Republican candidate except for Abbott during that period. How will you tackle the criminal court case backlog and the overcrowding at the county jail? In a second term, were going to continue making investments in making the system more efficient at every stage. A longtime county resident, Schultz said she began her legal career in the county in 1991 after receiving her law degree and master's degree in English from Duquesne University. Customer Service| Your article was successfully shared with the contacts you provided. The testimony by Arizona forensic investigator Jacqueline Breger accused multiple statewide and county officials, including . Hidalgo came into office in 2019 with an expansive view of county government and a new Democratic majority on the Harris County Commissioners Court, enabling her to expand county spending into areas typically considered outside its purview, like early childhood education and a legal defense fund for immigrants moves that critics have blasted as overreach. 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. 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. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Copyright 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. All rights reserved. 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. As of 9:20 a.m. Wednesday with 100% of the precincts reporting, Hidalgo, the Democrat, leads Mealer by just under 16,000 votes. 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. HARRIS COUNTY, Texas (KTRK) -- Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo's political future is on the line for 2022. It's zero.". Abortion has really come to the forefront of peoples minds right now, Hidalgo said. How will you work with your colleagues on the court to get things done? Precinct 2 Jerry Garcia. "And for those who say they might do more, that is two-thirds of the county budget going towards justice and going towards safety. 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. The process of keeping voter rolls updated for relocations and deaths is an ongoing effort that is a primary responsibility of the county," said Mealer. 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 . Originally from Northern Virginia, Rachel is an avid soccer fan and unabashedly loves reality TV. HARRIS COUNTY, Texas The race for Harris County Judge is one of the most closely watched races this cycle. Chris Watson. Mealer has pitched herself as a back-to-basics candidate who would prioritize traditional county responsibilities like roads and public safety. 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. Dynamically explore and compare data on law firms, companies, individual lawyers, and industry trends. Mealer, however, doesnt see a need to weigh in. As early voting begins, a new poll shows how tight the race for Harris County judge is. "I saw my. Thats scary to me, thats scary to me win or lose, Hidalgo said. 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. We're in the process of transitioning services for our Today in Houston newsletter. Hidalgo has rejected Mealers proposal, arguing that the county already has hundreds of unfilled law enforcement positions. Some new voting machines went down at Harris County polling places Tuesday . Jones says one reason for Mealer's surge is the top issue. To those who are skeptical about my ability to execute my campaign promises, I would just say that if you think I am moving fast on the campaign trail, imagine how fast I can run once in office with a full team behind me," Alexandra Mealer statement on new poll said. Hidalgo has defended the staffers, who are charged with misuse of official information and tampering with a government record, and called the charges politically motivated. And while every countywide position is held by a Democrat, the county judges seat has been in Democratic hands for only four years. 1. 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. With this subscription you will receive unlimited access to high quality, online, on-demand premium content from well-respected faculty in the legal industry. Ive steered Harris County through a winter storm, chemical fires, floods, hurricanes and COVID[-19]. 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. Sign up for The Brief, our daily newsletter that keeps readers up to speed on the most essential Texas news. 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. Eight percent of voters are still undecided. Shes pointing out a campaign platform thats since been deleted by Mealer, detailing her plans to clean voter rolls. Then, Democrats were energized by their anger toward Trump, and ORourke was in a tight race against Cruz. George wins his second term as county judge after a big upset win in 2018. We made developers follow the strictest water detention standards so that as the county grows it doesnt flood more. Join Texas Lawyer now! FOX News Channel (FNC) is a 24-hour all-encompassing news service delivering breaking news as well as political and business news. My biggest concern is on the certification of the votes. 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. And Id say the answer is no.. The National Read Across America Day takes place every year on March 2, Geisels birthday. And so I think it makes it really hard to argue that its due to any one person or one partys policies.. ", SEE ALSO: Houston-area law enforcement getting 'first-of-its-kind' to combat rise in crime. I'm interested in running for Harris County Judge. The Texas Constitution vests broad judicial and administrative powers in the position of county judge, who presides over a five-member Commissioners Court, which has budgetary and administrative authority over county government operations. Texas Democrats Thrash Republicans in 2022 Midterm Election, Law.com Editors and Analysts Offer Top Trends to Watch for 2023. 8:20 AM Oct 6, 2022 CDT 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. 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. 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. It has been called Dr. Seuss Day because of this. campaign spokesperson, Toni Harrison said. Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo previously announced the approval of $9 million in funds for local apprenticeships in addition to over $13 million for upskilling, such as additional job training and retraining. Harris County votes still being . Hidalgo and her fellow Democrats have accused the Republicans of defunding law enforcement by blocking a proposed $123 million increase in public safety spending. Getting The Talent Balance Right: From Layoffs to Laterals to Mergers, How Can Firms Staff for Success? 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. At issue now is how to fight crime and fund public safety. The race pins current Democratic County JudgeLina Hidalgo against Alex Mealer, a Republican endorsed by Senator Ted Cruz. Theres a feeling that were the firewall here in Harris County to make sure Texas doesnt go blue, said Cindy Siegel, Harris Countys Republican Party chair. County jail clean voter rolls follow the strictest water detention standards so that as the who is running for harris county judge 2022 already hundreds! 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