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. Tensions ran high as the court's two Republican members skipped the meeting, blocking the three Democrats from passing their proposed tax rate unless they agreed to specific terms for funding law enforcement. LUPE was founded in 1989 by farmworker and civil rights leaders . 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. Its rattlesnake season in Texas. Hidalgo County Courthouse 100 North Closner. Two family court judges, Tristan Longino of the 245th district court and Barbara Stalder of the 280th, also trailed in early results, along with Scot Dollinger of the 189th district civil court. 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. The court last year redrew both precincts to favor Democrats. According to Harris County officials, Patrick told Hidalgo to sit down and shut up multiple times at the funeral. Jen Rice is a reporter for the Houston Chronicle covering Harris County government. 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. Democrats appear headed for victory in the unofficial results of two commissioner contests as well, showings that could expand their majority on Commissioners Court to a 4-1 split. Campaign finance reports received by the Harris County Office of the Elections Administrator on July 15 show $2.88M in total contributions between Feb. 20-June 30 to the two candidates for Harris . As County judge, she oversees an annual budget of $4.3 billion with four other County commissioners (who all happen to be men). Republicans and prominent business leaders in Harris County made unseating Hidalgo a priority. I sincerely appreciate your vote of confidence in electing me. Harris County election results 2022: County judge, commissioners Despite seeing a barrage of criticisms . 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. She has created a political base around her campaign to make her race one of the most important and contested races in the state.. Employees Only. "Elections should not be about pitting one group against each other. We'll ask them about immigration and the border, climate-fueled flooding, broadband internet, and more. Sort of. Dan Patrick, and Texas Comptroller Glen Hegar, particularly with accusations that she was "defunding" the police. 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. Axios on twitter. Editorial: We recommend Alexandra Mealer for Harris County Judge "To the extent we work on these issues that affect us all, all of us will do better. Two candidates are vying for the position of Harris County judge in the upcoming Nov. 8 election with Republican candidate Alexandra del Moral Mealer challenging the incumbent Democratic judge . Solis, who lives in Palmview, speculated that the lack of polling locations on the west side of Hidalgo County could have been designed to help a certain primary candidate. 2022 Election Guide: Harris County and Texas races to watch 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. 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. Candidate Information | Hidalgo County, TX - Official Website 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. The county judge race is expected to be close, though Hidalgo still has an edge over her opponent due to the countys leftward tilt, according to Rene Cross, the executive director of the University of Houstons Hobby School of Public Affairs. 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. Houston Chronicle Editorial Board recommends Alexandra Mealer, not Lina The result: Cagles Republican-leaning precinct became a Democratic-leaning one. Another well-to-do donor on the list of Mealer supporters is beloved Houston Gallery Furniture salesman Jim "Mattress Mack" McIngvale, who cut televised endorsements for Hidalgo's challenger and would go on to publicly tussle with the judge after her campaign's end. Candidates for Harris County judge campaign in Houston Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo, right, speaks about the expansion of the county's Jail-Based Competency Restoration program at the Harris Center for Mental Health and IDD on Feb. 9, 2023 . Friday, November 4, 2022. Early voting will begin Monday, October 24, 2022 and will run through. Since July, Republican donors have poured nearly $9 million into Mealer's bid to unseat Hidalgo a staggering haul for a county judge race. Corresponding demonstrations led by members of local law enforcement only added to the sentiment that the judge's control was under pressure, and opposition against the incumbent was capped by the court being forced to adopt a no-new budget stance due to ongoing Republican no-shows. "Right now the county judge race is in a . I am committed to working hard every day . Harris County Commissioner Pct. Edinburg, Texas 78539. Mealer said. Vidal Martinez - Ballotpedia 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. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate. 3 Commissioner Tom Ramsey, a Republican, do not face election this year. 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. 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. "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. she shouted to roaring applause. In 2022, Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo had the odds stacked against her in a challenging campaign year to keep her top position in the county. Sort of. On Friday, Hidalgo County Judge Richard . Hidalgo took . Lina Hidalgo could be Democrats' future in Texas. She has - POLITICO Democratic incumbent Lina Hidalgo is running for a second term as Harris County Judge. A runoff also will be necessary in the wide open Democratic primary for the Precinct 4 seat on Commissioners Court, newly drawn last year to improve the partys chances of defeating Republican incumbent Jack Cagle. 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. 10:46 AM CDT October 23, 2022 . In the process, she became a champion to progressives who said that focus helped struggling households that the countys previously limited government left behind. Q&A: Get to know Harris County judge candidates Mealer, Hidalgo Updated: Jun 18, 2021 / 01:46 PM CDT. The GOP race to face Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo is getting nasty. . Axios on linkedin. Hidalgo also faced more specific challenges, including her fundraising disadvantage and a corruption probe. Alexandra Mealer is a tenacious campaigner, said Jessica Coln, a Houston-based Republican strategist who is uninvolved in the race. This is a developing story. 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. . Like most other candidates, Mealer is accepting campaign donations from county contractors. 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. 2022 / 08:13 AM CST . Lin-Manuel Miranda appeared at a rally Tuesday supporting Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo . WHAT: Candidate Forum for Hidalgo County Judge in the Democratic Party Primary, Candidates: Richard Cortez (incumbent), Norma Ramirez, Tania Ramirez, Sponsors: La Unin del Pueblo Entero and LUPE Votes. Hidalgo County Clerk. Republicans say violent crime is up, Dems say it's down. The ongoing political showdown over the county's annual budget process has pitted the Mealer and Hidalgo camps firmly against one another, offering voters a clear view of the candidates different visions for the role Harris County government should play. STAY IN THE KNOW, by visiting our website in the next couple of days. Harris County Judge candidate says she would fund more law enforcement Her reporting has aired nationally on NPR's Morning Edition, All Things Considered and Here & Now. Harris County judge: Hidalgo wins re-election as Mealer concedes Hidalgo has refused campaign contributions from county contractors since the start of her term, aiming to avoid even the appearance of a conflict of interest. Members of Commissioners Court historically have relied heavily on firms that do business with the county to stockpile huge campaign war chests. Nov. 10, 2022. 2022 Candidate's Guide - Running for State, District or County Office; 2020 Candidate's Guide - Running for Federal, State, District or County offices. They attributed the delay to damaged ballot sheets that must be duplicated before they can be scanned by counting machines, according to Secretary of State John Scotts office. Taken on September 7, 2022. A new poll shows the Harris County Judge's race is neck-and-neck Jan. 31, 2022 Updated: Feb. 1, 2022 7:58 a.m. Facebook Twitter Email Houston business owner Jim Mattress Mack McIngvale has endorsed GOP candidate Alexandra del Moral Mealer for Harris County Judge. Hidalgo's 2018 win was fueled by a perfect storm of political factors: voters outraged by the Trump administration, high Democratic turnout for Beto O'Rourke's campaign against Sen. Ted Cruz and the popularity of straight-ticket voting. 2022 Primary Election | Hidalgo County, TX - Official Website She says her plan to hire 1,000 additional officers could be covered, at least in part, by cutting county administrative staff, though she has not revealed specific funding plans or committed to any cuts to core services. Elections Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo throws shade at Mattress Mack, local leaders during victory speech. Are insane ticket costs pricing Astros fans out of Opening Day? Incumbent Democrat Teneshia Hudspeth will face former County Clerk Stan Stanart in the November general election. Democratic County Judge Lina Hidalgo beat Republican Alexandra del Moral Mealer by more than 18,000 votes. Emmett left office in 2019. Greg Abbott, Lt. Gov. Don't elect their candidate for County Judge" or something and avoided a poor fact checking result. County Judge Lina Hidalgo's biggest moments of 2022 Jasper Scherer covers Texas politics and government for the Houston Chronicle and San Antonio Express-News. GOP Harris County judge candidate contesting her loss after Election . The poll, which surveyed nearly 1,000 likely election voters, has Mealer leading 48 percent to Hidalgo's 44 percent. And there is something for us to do. Her opponent, Republican challenge . Poll Shows Republican Alex Mealer Leading in Harris County Judge Race 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. First Day of Early Voting. art. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate. Shortly before 5 a.m., the early votes and less than half of the 375 voting centers had been reported. Hidalgo County Judge Richard Cortez will seek re-election in 2022 Those two forces are clashing, according to Nancy Sims, a political analyst and lecturer of political science at the University of Houston. With 205 of 259 precincts reporting in the Democratic primary, Ruben Ramirez was leading in the race for U.S. Representative . Precinct 2 Commissioner Adrian Garcia, a Democrat, held a wider lead: 105,653 votes (52.56 percent) to Republican Jack Morman's 95,363 (47.44 percent), according to the unofficial vote count. 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. Hidalgo argues the county judge still can play a role on issues on which the county lacks direct oversight, such as gun control and abortion. 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! Lina Hidalgo - Ballotpedia The Houston Chronicle's editorial board makes an endorsement for the Harris County judge that can be considered crucial in the tight race. 2022 Election. Their Republican opponents will need runoffs to determine winners. Martin trailed by a small margin, while the rest trailed by larger amounts. Hidalgo cited the two Republicans blockade of a new tax rate as justification, saying they endangered vital county services. He initially joined the paper through the Hearst Journalism Fellowship program after covering the same beats for the San Antonio Express-News. FOX 26 Houston. Harris County leaders face a slew of challengers this election season Lina Hidalgo defeated incumbent Ed Emmett and Eric Gatlin in the general election for Harris County Judge on November 6, . Three of her staffers have been indicted by District Attorney Kim Ogg over a controversial COVID-19 outreach contract, an investigation that Hidalgo has decried as a witch-hunt. Harris County commissioner candidate Lesley Briones introduces gubernatorial candidate Beto ORourke during a rally outside of the West Gray Recreational Area on Tuesday, Nov. 8, 2022 in Houston. "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. Mid-year campaign finance reports for Harris County judge race - impact piling up against Hidalgo as Election Day approached, campaign contributions thanks in large part to a number of generous GOP donors, three of her top aides were indicted by a grand jury. Welcome to the Hidalgo County Elections Department! Terry Palacios wins Democratic nomination in Hidalgo County district Power-hungry politicians use our home to scapegoat immigrants, divide citizens and enrich wealthy special interests. Harris County judge Lina Hidalgo talks to her supporters at an primaries election night party, Tuesday, March 1, 2022, in Houston. Along her campaign trail, Hidalgo amassed the support of celebrities like Hamilton playwright Lin-Manuel Miranda, Chicago rapper and actor Common, and actress Jane Fonda, who block-walked with her in Houston last month. Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo saw her most challenging year in politics in 2022. Lina Hidalgo and Alexandra Mealer debate Harris County issues HARRIS COUNTY, Texas (KTRK) -- Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo's political future is on the line for 2022. 'Mattress Mack' endorses GOP opponent of Lina Hidalgo for county judge Hidalgo-Mealer judge election is a showdown over Harris County Cortez, Tania Ramirez, and Norma Ramirez are running in the Democratic Party primary. Harris County judge Lina Hidalgo is applauded as she arrives at a primaries election night party, Tuesday, March 1, 2022, in Houston. WINNERS AND LOSERS: Who won and who lost in the 2022 midterm elections across Houston and rest of Texas? Hidalgo ( Democratic Party) ran for re-election for Harris County Judge in Texas. The intense exchange was just one of many instances in which the lieutenant governor has openly rejected Hidalgo. District Clerk Marilyn Burgess led her Democratic challenger in the early returns. "That is a key priority," Hidalgo said. Texas 2022 elections: Who won, who lost, what's undecided We pride ourselves on doing our best, being responsible with taxpayer . . The County Judge is the presiding officer of the county commissioners court and the head of emergency management.