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As Hidalgo's woes multiplied in commissioners court, her political opponent continued to rack up high-dollar contributions from well-heeled conservative donors. Cortez, Tania Ramirez, and Norma Ramirez are running in the Democratic Party primary. Like most other candidates, Mealer is accepting campaign donations from county contractors. 2022 / 08:13 AM CST . ", Thank you to all those who supported our campaign for good governance pic.twitter.com/ZnjLvtQVTO. 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. Mealer, a combat veteran who served in Afghanistan, says she wants the county to go back to the basics and has said she will hire 1,000 additional law enforcement officers if elected and Republicans win a majority on Commissioners Court. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact our office at (956)318-2570. Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo greets people in line outside West Grey Multi-Service Center, 1475 W Gray St., on Election Day Tuesday, Nov. 8, 2022, in Houston. 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. Hidalgos Republican opponent, Alexandra del Moral Mealer raised 4x the amount of fundraising money in her bid. Campaign finance reports also showed Mealer outraised Hidalgo with $10 million in the campaign chest. I also want to thank Ms. Mealer for a hard-fought campaign & her military service. So, I think it's actually harmful to spend a lot of time talking about issues that aren't in your control," Mealer said. Lina Hidalgo, a progressive Democrat who leads the county that includes Houston, is facing an unexpectedly serious re-election challenge from a Republican first-time candidate, Alexandra del Moral . Democratic County Judge Lina Hidalgo beat Republican Alexandra del Moral Mealer by more than 18,000 votes. Meanwhile, across town at the Kirby Ice House, Mealer said the close margins show voters are paying attention. Here is a look at some of her most significant moments of 2022. Our office stands ready to assist Harris County election officials, and all county election officials throughout the state, in complying with Texas Election Code requirements for accurately tabulating and reporting Primary Election results, Scott said. DIRECTORY. Release: Hidalgo County Judge Candidates Will Tackle the Biggest Challenges Facing Colonia, RGV Residents at LUPE Candidate Forum. Houston pitmaster goes viral after hilarious TV interview, This is what Houston looks like from space, 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. In February, Texas Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick criticized Hidalgo for where she decided to stand at the memorial service of slain Harris County Pct. 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. Sort of. Is Whataburger healthy? Lina Hidalgo (@LinaHidalgoTX) November 9, 2022. Please check back later for updates. Hidalgo also faced more specific challenges, including her fundraising disadvantage and a corruption probe. With varying results coming from the few public polls conducted on the race, there is little consensus on where things stand heading into the final weeks of the campaign. 2023 Commissioner's Court Meetings Calendar. HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) -- Democrat Lina Hidalgo has won a second term for Harris County Judge in a close race for the top executive position in the county. 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. Heres what you need to know. We earned them with hard work and with results over the past four years.". Attendees of Republican Harris County Judge candidate Alexandra del Moral Mealer watch as the election results come in on the television during her watch party at Kirby Ice House 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. Incumbents in more high-profile local posts, namely Hidalgo and Garcia, fared better. A new study says yes. 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. Dylan McGuinness covers City Hall and local politics for the Houston Chronicle. 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. Come find out at a candidate forum hosted by LUPE and LUPE Votes this Friday, February 4th at 5 pm online. HOUSTON Lina Hidalgo, the progressive Democrat who leads Texas's largest county, which includes Houston, narrowly won re-election despite a well-funded effort by a Republican . 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. Terry Palacios wins Democratic nomination in Hidalgo County district attorney race, unofficial election results show 1 year 13 hours 11 minutes ago Tuesday, March 01 2022 Mar 1, 2022 March 01 . Its rattlesnake season in Texas. And the pandemic is deepened inequality and exacerbated existing divisions. LUPE is a nonprofit organization that helps the community organize for and win a better quality of life. A new study says yes. 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. Former Army Capt. That's why tonight we are hosting a forum with the candidates for Hidalgo County Judge in the Democratic Party Primary. Espaol / English. Those voters had plenty of reasons for their own enthusiasm, including the implementation of a strict abortion ban by Republicans in Texas, and a relatively competitive gubernatorial contest. This is a carousel. The race for county judge in Harris County is in a statistical dead heat, with Republican Alexandra del Moral Mealer leading Democrat Lina Hidalgo by 2% (47% to 45%, with 8% undecided). 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 . Welcome to the Hidalgo County Elections Department! Both partys candidates for county clerk the office that ran elections in Harris County until Commissioners Court gave that duty to an independent administrator ran unopposed. In April, three Hidalgo staff members, including her chief of staff, were indicted for misuse of official information and tampering with government evidence. Is Whataburger healthy? She had poured nearly $1.9 million of her campaign funds into TV ads as of last week, nearly a 3-to-1 advantage over Hidalgo, according to data from the media-tracking firm AdImpact. Chris Daniel, a former district clerk, ran unopposed in the Republican primary. Incumbent Judge Lina Hidalgo is running for re-election after securing a historic - and surprising - win in 2018. 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. The judge congratulated other candidates who won in Tuesday's election, including Democratic Precinct 2 commissioner Adrian Garcia's victory over his Republican opponent Jack Morman. Last Day to Register to Vote. That means our county judge must be ready to lead our community through these challenges and toward a thriving future. 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. . Staff members faced charges of misuse of official information and tampering with a government record in connection to a county contract awarded by Hidalgo's office to a local public relations firm to create a county COVID-19 outreach program. "But we earned every vote and not with exaggerations or falsehoods. 10:46 AM CDT October 23, 2022 . 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. Ballotpedia's 2022 elections analysis. Are ticket costs pricing Houston Astros fans out of Opening Day? According to the County Administrator's office, the county has added 47 deputies and 12 social workers since 2020. Taken on September 7, 2022. "To the extent we work on these issues that affect us all, all of us will do better. The GOP race to face Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo is getting nasty. Election mishaps and conflicting court rulings introduced a degree of uncertainty about when the results would become official. "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." 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 . Hidalgo repeatedly has said the countys main public safety departments the sheriff, constables and district attorney have received funding boosts in each county budget since Democrats took control of Commissioners Court in 2018. Brandon Waltens | October 4, 2022. Alexandra Mealer is a tenacious campaigner, said Jessica Coln, a Houston-based Republican strategist who is uninvolved in the race. First Day to Apply for a Ballot by Mail. 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. They answered questions from the . You can't just look the other way on so many issues.". Registered Voters as of February 27, 2023 Total 412,899. Those two forces are clashing, according to Nancy Sims, a political analyst and lecturer of political science at the University of Houston. Lina Hidalgo ( Democratic Party) is the Harris County Judge in Texas. Candidate Information Texas Secretary of State. The Houston region's high number of homicides, the state's new abortion ban and a flood of campaign . Greg Abbott, Lt. Gov. Another administrative incumbent, Harris County Treasurer Dylan Osborne, appeared headed for defeat as well, trailing challenger Carla Wyatt. Its rattlesnake season in Texas. Running for Local Offices; Notable Links . Emmett assumed office in 2007. Republicans say violent crime is up, Dems say it's down. 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 County Judge is the presiding officer of the county commissioners court and the head of emergency management. ", Before closing out her speech, Hidalgo turned attention to any who don't believe she won her reelection fair and square. Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo high-fives a woman in the front row during an abortion rights rally organized by Beto O'Rourke at Discovery Green on Saturday, May 7, 2022 in Houston. 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. ), LIVE RESULTS TRACKER: Texas 2022 midterm elections: Live results from Abbott vs. Beto, Hidalgo vs. Mealer and more. No candidate in those two races had the majority needed to win outright on election night. Tax Rates. Mar 2, 2022. Elections Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo throws shade at Mattress Mack, local leaders during victory speech. 3 . But that hasn't stopped RGV residents from working together for the things we all need to thrive. 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. "That is a key priority," Hidalgo said. According to election results from 2016 and 2020, Democrats hold a 12-point advantage in Precinct 4. I am extremely grateful to our supporters and all those who contributed to this campaign. Our goal is to provide voters with impeccable, transparent and timely service for a wide variety of county, city, school, state and federal constitutional elections. Mealer has focused her campaign on crime and public safety spending, arguing Hidalgo has failed to devote enough funding to county law enforcement amid a rise in violent crime. Lina Hidalgo defeated incumbent Ed Emmett and Eric Gatlin in the general election for Harris County Judge on November 6, . Del Moral Mealer is running in the Republican primary for Harris County Judge. Austin, TX, April 22, 2022 Republicans Vidal Martinez and Alexandra del Moral Mealer have hit the campaign trail in what has become a heated runoff race for a chance to replace Democratic incumbent Lina Hidalgo as Harris County judge.. More often, though, her campaign rhetoric has focused on fending off attacks from Mealer and throwing her own punches at the GOP nominee. Five lower-ballot Republicans had narrow advantages for criminal or civil court benches, though Democrats were leading in most contests. In the process, she became a champion to progressives who said that focus helped struggling households that the countys previously limited government left behind. Heres what you need to know. Hidalgo County residents and colonia residents in particular are on the frontlines of the biggest challenges facing the nation and the world. 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 . Climate damage has fueled storms that flood our region. "Harris County is still trending blue," Campos said, "and I think with the Dobbs case, the whole abortion case, that's energizing female voters and I think that's going to help out Democrats up and down the ticket.". Coln, the GOP strategist, said Hidalgo is looking to infuse other cultural issues into the campaign to draw attention away from the fact that she's made Harris County a more dangerous place.. 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. Hidalgo, meanwhile, raised about $2.4 million in . The Democratic incumbent has touted her response to the COVID-19 pandemicincluding supporting measures like drive-thru voting to help make it easier to voterecord investments in the county toward early childhood education, and creation of a legal defense fund for immigrants under her leadership. Alexandra del Moral Mealer, the Republican nominee for Harris County judge, speaking at the press conference at the Harris County DeputiesOrganization in Houston. Hidalgo touts among her . . Surrounded by fellow Democrats, Lina Hidalgo delivered victory remarks and passing jabs at her detractors during a Wednesday afternoon speech following herdefeat of Republican challenger Alex Mealer in Tuesday's Harris County judge election. 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. And Mealer, 38, a retired Army veteran, ran a spirited campaign arguing that Hidalgo has forsaken public safety in the name of extracurricular goals. Poll Watcher's Guide (PDF) Public Information Request (PDF) Election Forms The result could be a 4-1 Democratic powerhouse, the same 3-2 divide or a shift back to a Republican-controlled court. Participation among voters with Spanish surnames was down 18 percent. 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. HARRIS COUNTY, Texas (KTRK) -- Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo's political future is on the line for 2022. Incumbent Democrat Teneshia Hudspeth will face former County Clerk Stan Stanart in the November general election. Hidalgo has held the position since defeating then-incumbent and longtime County . Don't elect their candidate for County Judge" or something and avoided a poor fact checking result. Elizabeth Conley, Houston Chronicle / Staff photographer Show More Show Less 2 of 2. Politics A new poll shows the Harris County Judge's race is neck-and-neck. Hidalgo has maintained that the scandal was a politically motivated attack and has publicly defended her aides. Hidalgo's reelection campaign also suffered a blow following an unexpected endorsement from the Houston Chronicle Editorial Board co-signing Mealer. 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 . Texas GOP may censure Tony Gonzales over gay marriage, gun votes, Rep. Joaquin Castro's health plan points to a new Texas trend, Rep. Joaquin Castro diagnosed with cancer, undergoes surgery, Texas House Speaker appoints committee for gun legislation, Santa Fe families still denied video, records from 2018 shooting. Are insane ticket costs pricing Astros fans out of Opening Day? 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. McGuinness previously covered the Rhode Island statehouse for the Associated Press and breaking news for the Boston Globe. Employees Only. Staff writers Samantha Ketterer, Yilun Cheng and Elizabeth Trovall contributed to this report. She won in the general election on November 8, 2022. Following a challenging Election Night in Harris County plagued by delays and closings of multiple polling locations, voting tallies showed Hidalgo holding onto an unofficial lead of less than two points over Mealer, a West Point graduate and ex-Army captain. The 31-year-old stood in front of supporters applauding and chanting her name at the office of the Harris Democratic Party. ", 'POLITICS OF PERCEPTION': Hidalgo, Harris County Dems hope for boost from abortion, national trends, but races still competitive over crime, economy. Emmett (Republican Party) . the Hidalgo County health authority, announced he was passing on a campaign for the seat, saying he could . But for now, her two GOP challengers are busy slashing at each other before the May 24 runoff election. Lin-Manuel Miranda appeared at a rally Tuesday supporting Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo . March 2022 marks an unusually crowded primary season for Harris County politics, with three Harris County . another GOP candidate for county judge, called Hidalgo a "formidable campaigner," adding that progressives see her as a key component to flipping Texas blue. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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.