Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo tries to win re-election but faces a challenge from Republican Alexandra . 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. 5 Deputy Corporal Charles Galloway. 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. And there is something for us to do. If Hidalgo holds on to win, she will have overcome an aggressive re-election fight in a hostile political climate for Democrats. 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. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate. 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. 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. Mealer is hoping to kneecap Hidalgos rising political career just four years after the Democrat unseated Republican Ed Emmett in her first-ever run for political office, completing a Democratic takeover of the nations third-largest county. Lina Hidalgo ( Democratic Party) is the Harris County Judge in Texas. The contract was ultimately rescinded, and Hidalgo has continuously defended her office and aides in relation to the indictment. Registered Voters as of February 27, 2023 Total 412,899. WHEN: Friday, Feb 4th, 2022, at 5 pm ### LUPE is a nonprofit organization that helps the community organize for and win a better quality of life. With 205 of 259 precincts reporting in the Democratic primary, Ruben Ramirez was leading in the race for U.S. Representative . 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 . That means our county judge must be ready to lead our community through these challenges and toward a thriving future. Republican Harris County Judge candidate Alexandra del Moral Mealer gets ready to talk to the media as early election results come in at her watch party at Kirby Ice House on Tuesday, Nov. 8, 2022 in Houston. pic.twitter.com/WBczbAdXiT, Mealer issued a statement conceding victory on Twitter earlier Wednesday morning, writing: "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. Early voting in the March primary begins on Valentine's Day. Jaime E. Galvan 11/8/2022. WINNERS AND LOSERS: Who won and who lost in the 2022 midterm elections across Houston and rest of Texas? 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. "She does seem to evoke strong emotions in either party. Axios on linkedin. art. TEXAS VOTER GUIDE: The key state and local races that your vote will decide in the November 8 midterm election. Mealer's tough-on-crime campaign also spotlighted these accusations, framing the 31-year-old incumbent as an adversary of local law enforcement. As County judge, she oversees an annual budget of $4.3 billion with four other County commissioners (who all happen to be men). Nov. 10, 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 . The redistricting also cost him familiarity with voters, essentially switching the areas covered by Precincts 3 and 4. 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. 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. Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo looks back at Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner before they gave a joint press conference about growing Monkeypox infections Monday, July 25, 2022, at Houston TranStar headquarters in Houston. Release: Hidalgo County Judge Candidates Will Tackle the Biggest Challenges Facing Colonia, RGV Residents at LUPE Candidate Forum. I am committed to working hard every day . Elections Lina Hidalgo reelected as Harris County judge . Procedures for Candidates, 2019-2021. Austin, TX, October 4, 2022 A new poll out Tuesday shows voters prefer Republican Alexandra del Moral Mealer to incumbent Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo 48 to 44 percent, with 8 percent undecided.. On behalf of the conservative Defend Texas Liberty Political Action Committee (PAC), CWS Research conducted the survey of 900 likely voters in Harris County between September 24 and October 1. Vendor Portal . Axios on twitter. Shortly before 5 a.m., the early votes and less than half of the 375 voting centers had been reported. I want to thank each & every voter who showed up to make their voice heard this election. 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. 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 . "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. Hidalgo also addressed the millions in campaign contributions her opponent garnered from "far right, Trump mega-donors," while campaigning for office. Kennedy is a reporter at Chron covering all things Houston. Hidalgo's conservative commissioners court colleagues have accused the judge of "defunding the police," a claim she has fiercely denied. See also: Municipal elections in Harris County, Texas (2022) General election. Democratic County Judge Lina Hidalgo beat Republican Alexandra del Moral Mealer by more than 18,000 votes. 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. Harris County judge Lina Hidalgo is applauded as she arrives at a primaries election night party, Tuesday, March 1, 2022, in Houston. Democrats also have a 12-point historic edge in Precinct 2, where Garcia's lead over his challenger and predecessor, Morman, had grown to 5 percentage points by 4 a.m. Pct. 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. What does the data say? Marc Campos, a longtime Houston Democratic consultant who is not involved in the race, said Hidalgo likely will benefit from low propensity voters who feel motivated to turn out because of abortion rights. First Day to Apply for a Ballot by Mail. 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.. Race for Harris County judge still too close to call Published: November 8, 2022, 11:56 AM Updated: November 9, 2022, 1:04 AM Tags: Decision 2022 , Harris County , Voting , Lina Hidalgo . From attacks by Texas Republicans, charges filed against her staff, a well-funded campaign against her and Commissioner Court drama, Hidalgo still finished the year with a win to keep her seat as top county official for the next four years. Emmett left office in 2019. Elections Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo throws shade at Mattress Mack, local leaders during victory speech. Dylan McGuinness covers City Hall and local politics for the Houston Chronicle. Don't elect their candidate for County Judge" or something and avoided a poor fact checking result. No candidate in those two races had the majority needed to win outright on election night. . Incumbents in more high-profile local posts, namely Hidalgo and Garcia, fared better. EXPLAINER: What you need to know about Lina Hidalgo and Alex Mealer in the race for Harris County judge. 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. Violent crime in Harris County has become a key issue in the race for County Judge, with one of the candidates unveiling a law enforcement plan in an effort to curb . Chris Daniel, a former district clerk, ran unopposed in the Republican primary. "To the naysayers who think I'll be intimidated by conspiracy theories or by bullying or by political prosecutionsbring it on!" Harris County judge Lina Hidalgo talks to her supporters at an primaries election night party, Tuesday, March 1, 2022, in Houston. Three county jurists County Court at Law Judges Franklin Bynum and David Singer, and Probate Judge Michael Newman also were behind in the early tallies. Texas Ethics Commission . County Court at Law Judge Lesley Briones and former Harris County elections staffer Benjamin Chou were leading in that race. Taken on September 7, 2022. ", Before closing out her speech, Hidalgo turned attention to any who don't believe she won her reelection fair and square. Incumbent Democrat Teneshia Hudspeth will face former County Clerk Stan Stanart in the November general election. Sort of. Elizabeth Conley/Staff photographer. He has also reported on local politics for both papers. Where do the candidates for Hidalgo County Judge stand on the biggest challenges facing colonia residents and the Rio Grande Valley? Harris County Commissioner Pct. A look back at Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo's biggest moments of 2022. Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo saw her most challenging year in politics in 2022. Monday, January 31, 2022. Brioness lead over Cagle came in part by design. Running for Local Offices; Notable Links . Jen Rice is a reporter for the Houston Chronicle covering Harris County government. A poll from the Hobby School of Public Affairs at the University of Houston, released Monday on the first day of early voting, found 47% of likely Harris County voters say they will support Mealer, a political newcomer running for Harris County judge. LIVE UPDATES: 2022 Texas Primary Election Results. 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. Cortez, Tania Ramirez, and Norma Ramirez are running in the Democratic Party primary. 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. The judge also referenced endorsements of her opponent made by Jim Mattress "Mack McIngvale" and the Houston Chronicle Editorial Board, as well as others she characterized as belonging to a "political establishment that frankly has held onto power for just a little too long. 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. 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. 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.. This 10 percentage point lead by . She has defended the staffers, who are accused of steering a vaccine outreach contract to a politically connected vendor. Cagle was unopposed on the Republican side. Democratic incumbent Judge Lina Hidalgo will serve another term as county judge for Texas' most populous county after . Heres what you need to know. (Steve Gonzales, Staff photographer) / Hidalgo and Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner before they gave a joint press conference about growing Monkeypox infections in July 2022. Ariana Garcia joined Chron in 2021. Their Republican opponents will need runoffs to determine winners. A new study says yes. LUPE is a 501(c)3 organization Copyright 2023 1601 US-83 BUS, San Juan, TX 78589, Release: Hidalgo County Judge Candidates Will Tackle the Biggest Challenges Facing Colonia, RGV Residents at LUPE Candidate Forum. I want to thank each & every voter who showed up to make their voice heard this election. 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. Those two forces are clashing, according to Nancy Sims, a political analyst and lecturer of political science at the University of 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. "Right now the county judge race is in a . . Despite the odds seemingly piling up against Hidalgo as Election Day approached, the 31-year-old Democrat still managed to come out on top. "My opponent will often say, well, none of these are county issues," Hidalgo said. Here is a look at some of her most significant moments of 2022. Harris County Elections Administrator Isabel Longoria said some paper ballots got wrinkled and jammed, but most votes would be counted on time. Search Texas Monthly 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. Marie D. De Jess/Staff photographer . defeat of Republican challenger Alex Mealer in Tuesday's Harris County judge election. This is a developing story. The primary election is March 1, 2022. she shouted to roaring applause. Who won and who lost in the 2022 midterm elections across Houston and rest of Texas? Incumbent Judge Lina Hidalgo is running for re-election after securing a historic - and surprising - win in 2018. Editor's note: This article has been updated to include responses submitted by Alexandra del Moral Mealer. 3 Commissioner Tom Ramsey, a Republican, do not face election this year. The intense exchange was just one of many instances in which the lieutenant governor has openly rejected Hidalgo. Both candidates have highlighted their ethnicityin their campaigns: Hidalgo was born in Colombia and immigrated with her family to the U.S. in 2005, while Mealer's paternal grandfather immigrated from Spain. 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. 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. "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. Members of her own party also tried to "preserve the status quo," Hidalgo said without naming anyone in particular. Marie D. De Jess, Houston Chronicle / Staff photographer, Bun B, Badu, J.J. Watt celebrate RodeoHouston Southern Takeover, Exclusive: Abbott explains push against diversity hiring programs. 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. 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. But the ad could have said "Mealer refuses to oppose Abbott's extreme abortion ban," or even "Texas Republicans support Abbott's extreme abortion ban. HARRIS COUNTY ELECTION UPDATES: Mealer concedes county judge race to Hidalgo. "To the extent we work on these issues that affect us all, all of us will do better. "The math is clear, and one plus one equals two, but they're still trying to pin that on us," she said. According to election results from 2016 and 2020, Democrats hold a 12-point advantage in Precinct 4. Published March 1, 2022. As November's general election neared, polling showed Hidalgo was in a tighter race with Mealer than expected, and a startling endorsement from the Houston Chronicle editorial board in favor of her opponent surprised many in Houston. 2022 Candidate's Guide - Running for State, District or County Office; 2020 Candidate's Guide - Running for Federal, State, District or County offices. Q&A with Harris County judge candidate Alexandra Mealer. Del Moral Mealer is running in the Republican primary for Harris County Judge. Hidalgo took in $1.5 million during the same period, less than a third of Mealers sum, and she was outspent by more than $2 million. 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. Previously, she was a community news and breaking news reporter for the Austin American-Statesman. Ed Emmett (Republican Party) was the Harris County Judge in Texas. "No one really knows what the county judge does. People are looking beyond party lines and looking to the person, and thats the way local politics really should be, Mealer told reporters following the initial results. 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. In this one, Mealer is hoping to achieve the same feat, only with the parties swapped. Democratic incumbent Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo and Republican Alexandra del Moral Mealer addressed voters in Houston. Its rattlesnake season in Texas. Edinburg, Texas 78539. Brandon Waltens | October 4, 2022. LUPE was founded in 1989 by farmworker and civil rights leaders . She won in the general election on November 8, 2022. While Mealer and other GOP candidates running for seats on Commissioners Court have maintained an intense focus on crime and public safety, those issues are far from the only challenges facing Harris County government, which also is responsible for planning out billions of dollars in flood control projects, overseeing development in unincorporated areas and running public health institutions that provide treatment for a large share of the county's uninsured, low-income residents. Hidalgo drew support from 45%. Our nation is too divided right now and it's been divided for too many years," Hidalgo said. Campaign Finance Reports. 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. Saturday, January 1, 2022. Hidalgo County Elections Department administers the polling locations in the early voting period. 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. 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 . 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. Campaign finance reports also showed Mealer outraised Hidalgo with $10 million in the campaign chest. That fundraising ability allowed Mealer to distribute TV ads hammering home her message that crime is out of control and Hidalgo is to blame. Another candidate for county judge is McAllen City Commissioner Tania Ramirez. 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. Harris County judge Lina Hidalgo greets her supporters at a primaries election night party at Axelrad Beer Garden, Tuesday, March 1, 2022, in Houston. Sort of. The Editorial Board. In April, three Hidalgo staff members, including her chief of staff, were indicted for misuse of official information and tampering with government evidence. 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. "I want to thank Alex Mealer for running a hard-fought campaign," Hidalgo began. Oct. 12, 2022. Democrats have won every countywide contest since 2016, including Hidalgos own upset win over popular incumbent Ed Emmett in 2018. According to the County Administrator's office, the county has added 47 deputies and 12 social workers since 2020. 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. That message helped Mealer rake in millions in campaign cash, with six-figure support in the last month from the likes of Gallery Furniture owner Jim Mattress Mack McIngvale and energy executive David Modesett, among others. He initially joined the paper through the Hearst Journalism Fellowship program after covering the same beats for the San Antonio Express-News. 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. In Precinct 2, former commissioner Jack Morman and Deer Park Mayor Jerry Mouton led three other candidates. 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. Steve Gonzales, Houston Chronicle / Staff photographer, Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo during a COVID-19 press conference in July 2021. HARRIS COUNTY, Texas (KTRK) -- Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo's political future is on the line for 2022. November 8, 2022 (General) Hidalgo. 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. Martin trailed by a small margin, while the rest trailed by larger amounts. Incumbent Cagle lost his bid for reelection as Harris County Precinct 4 commissioner against Democratic challenger Lesley Briones, a civil court judge. "But we earned every vote and not with exaggerations or falsehoods. Climate damage has fueled storms that flood our region. Attendees reacts as they watch televised election returns from the bar at the Election Night Watch Party hosted by the Harris Co. Democratic Party held at Chapman and Kirby Tuesday, Nov. 8, 2022 in Houston, TX. "Truth won over lies." Dan Patrick, as well as her fellow commissioners Jack Cagle and Tom Ramsey. "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. "That is a key priority," Hidalgo said. That's why tonight we are hosting a forum with the candidates for Hidalgo County Judge in the Democratic Party Primary. Its rattlesnake season in Texas. Her current term ends on December 31, 2026. She pointed to a recent city-county gun buyback program and county spending aimed at addressing maternal mortality. The Houston Chronicle's editorial board makes an endorsement for the Harris County judge that can be considered crucial in the tight race. "The community has a position on these issues, and they want to know their leader's position. Harris County judge candidates . Hidalgo's slight edge over Mealer emerged with the results of early and absentee voting, and remained largely the same as the county's tallying process dragged on into the morning. [Tex. Democratic gubernatorial candidate Beto O'Rourke is leading . Are insane ticket costs pricing Astros fans out of Opening Day? Among those trailing are five criminal district court judges: Chuck Silverman, 183rd district court; Abigail Anastasio, 184th; Greg Glass, 208th; and Amy Martin, 263rd. McGuinness previously covered the Rhode Island statehouse for the Associated Press and breaking news for the Boston Globe. If you are running in the March 2022 primaries, we want to hear from you. Fifteen candidates are vying for the position of Harris County judge in the upcoming . Hidalgo enjoyed a small lead in the 2018 early vote, and she performed better on Election Day, growing her lead to secure a 50-to-48 percent victory. Candidates Richard Cortez (incumbent), Norma Ramirez, and Tania Ramirez will each have 30 minutes to discuss their stance on the biggest challenges facing colonia residents and RGV residents. 10:46 AM CDT October 23, 2022 . She has been on the ground to cover natural disasters, disease outbreaks, elections and protests, delivering stories to both . Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo made passing reference to Jim "Mattress Mack" McIngvale and other prominent endorsers of her political opponent Alex Mealer during a Wednesday victory speech. 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. 2022 / 08:13 AM CST . Democratic Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo, left, is facing a challenge from Republican Alexandra Moral del Mealer. another GOP candidate for county judge, called Hidalgo a "formidable campaigner," adding that progressives see her as a key component to flipping Texas blue. Incumbent US Rep Sylvia Garcia reacts as she watches televised election returns at the Election Night Watch Party hosted by the Harris Co. Democratic Party held at Chapman and Kirby Tuesday, Nov. 8, 2022 in Houston, TX. HIDALGO COUNTY, Texas (KVEO) Hidalgo County's judge will seek to keep his position for four more years in 2022. Election mishaps and conflicting court rulings introduced a degree of uncertainty about when the results would become official. Republicans and prominent business leaders in Harris County made unseating Hidalgo a priority. Quick Links. Hidalgo-Mealer county judge race is a showdown over Harris County budget and its role in voters' eyes, Timeline: How battle between Houston ISD, TEA has reached the point of a looming takeover.
