hidalgo county judge candidates 2022

Her opponent, Republican challenge . The vote intention in the race for Harris County judge is 52% for Democrat Lina Hidalgo and 42% for Republican Alexandra del Moral Mealer, with 6% undecided. ELECTION CALENDAR DATES. 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 . They answered questions from the . 2022 Wave elections; BY THE NUMBERS: Republicans say violent crime is up, Dems say it's down. During her campaign, Hidalgo said she was also subjected to smears, attacks, and the "dirtiest political tricks" from statewide leaders like Gov. Former Army Capt. In that race, Hidalgo a little-known challenger capitalized on Democratic enthusiasm in a midterm election under a drastically unpopular Republican president. Oct 25, 2022 - News. Friday, November 4, 2022. Lina Hidalgo (@LinaHidalgoTX) November 9, 2022. "My opponent will often say, well, none of these are county issues," Hidalgo said. "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. 1 Commissioner Rodney Ellis, a Democrat, and Pct. 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. 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. Harris County judge Lina Hidalgo talks to her supporters at an primaries election night party, Tuesday, March 1, 2022, in Houston. "With crime rising, is the focus increasing deputies or is it increasing social workers?" Come find out at a candidate forum hosted by LUPE and LUPE Votes this Friday, February 4th at 5 pm online. "I want to thank Alex Mealer for running a hard-fought campaign," Hidalgo began. Hidalgo has held the position since defeating then-incumbent and longtime County . Those two forces are clashing, according to Nancy Sims, a political analyst and lecturer of political science at the University of Houston. Employees Only. . 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 . By the time candidates began announcing for the 2022 Texas primaries in mid-November, Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo, chief executive of the county that includes Houston, seemed to have safely . 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). Q&A with Harris County judge candidate Alexandra Mealer. The vote totals confirmed just how hotly contested the local races were. Her biggest donor was Richard Weekley, a Houston-based developer and megadonor who contributed $400,000 to Mealers campaign. . 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. 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. 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. Heres what you need to know. LIVE UPDATES: 2022 Texas Primary Election Results. 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. A strong gender gap exists in the vote for county judge, with Hidalgo holding a 12% lead over del Moral Mealer among women (52% to 40%), while del Moral Mealer . Mealer calls Hidalgo's campaign strategy dishonest and has criticized Hidalgo for focusing on abortion rights, a policy area the county judge has no authority over. 3 . For the latest and best fromChron,sign up for our daily newsletter here. 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. Heres what you need to know. Last Day to Register to Vote. 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! . The poll, which surveyed nearly 1,000 likely election voters, has Mealer leading 48 percent to Hidalgo's 44 percent. Election mishaps and conflicting court rulings introduced a degree of uncertainty about when the results would become official. Ellie Torres (D) Hidalgo County Constable Precinct 5. Cortez, Tania Ramirez, and Norma Ramirez are running in the Democratic Party primary. 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. But for now, her two GOP challengers are busy slashing at each other before the May 24 runoff election. 2023 Commissioner's Court Meetings Calendar. Democratic incumbent Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo and Republican Alexandra del Moral Mealer addressed voters in Houston. In the GOP primary for county treasurer, Kyle Scott led Eric Dick. In April, three Hidalgo staff members, including her chief of staff, were indicted for misuse of official information and tampering with government evidence. Onward! The GOP race to face Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo is getting nasty. 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 . 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. "To the naysayers who think I'll be intimidated by conspiracy theories or by bullying or by political prosecutionsbring it on!" Elizabeth Conley/Staff photographer. Monday, January 31, 2022. In this one, Mealer is hoping to achieve the same feat, only with the parties swapped. 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 . What does the data say? She said both local parties, following the secretary of states advice, agreed to seek a court order adjusting the deadline. Lina Hidalgo reelected as Harris County judge. Dan Patrick, and Texas Comptroller Glen Hegar, particularly with accusations that she was "defunding" the police. According to Harris County officials, Patrick told Hidalgo to sit down and shut up multiple times at the funeral. 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. I also want to thank Ms. Mealer for a hard-fought campaign & her military service. Democrat Lina Hidalgo has secured a second term as Harris County Judge, defeating her Republican challenger Alex Mealer in a highly contested race for the head of the county's governing body. ", 'POLITICS OF PERCEPTION': Hidalgo, Harris County Dems hope for boost from abortion, national trends, but races still competitive over crime, economy. Democratic County Judge Lina Hidalgo beat Republican Alexandra del Moral Mealer by more than 18,000 votes. I want to thank each & every voter who showed up to make their voice heard this election. 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. Elections Harris County election results 2022: County judge, commissioners, propositions. Code 7.104] 2 All State Senate seats are up for election in 2022 following redistricting in 2021. HIDALGO COUNTY, Texas (KVEO) Hidalgo County's judge will seek to keep his position for four more years in 2022. I am committed to working hard every day . It doesn't need to be that way. That's why tonight we are hosting a forum with the candidates for Hidalgo County Judge in the Democratic Party Primary. Elizabeth Conley/Staff photographer, Gary Fountain/Contributor. Harris County Commissioner Pct. . 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. "Elections should not be about pitting one group against each other. 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. 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. Del Moral Mealer is running in the Republican primary for Harris County Judge. 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. 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. First Day of Early Voting. The intense exchange was just one of many instances in which the lieutenant governor has openly rejected Hidalgo. Democrats thought their 3-2 majority on the Court would make this an easy task and they . Commissioner Jack and Janet Cagle, center, at his election night party at Maize's Restaurant in Houston. Hidalgo has scoffed at Mealers police hiring pledge, pointing to the countys more than 400 unfilled law enforcement positions. She's facing challengers . The redistricting also cost him familiarity with voters, essentially switching the areas covered by Precincts 3 and 4. Chris Daniel, a former district clerk, ran unopposed in the Republican primary. Sort of. Daniel Marichalar (D) Hidalgo County Criminal District Attorney. See also: Municipal elections in Harris County, Texas (2022) General election. But that hasn't stopped RGV residents from working together for the things we all need to thrive. Judges at the courthouse quickly encountered trouble in those unofficial returns. . Hidalgo's reelection campaign also suffered a blow following an unexpected endorsement from the Houston Chronicle Editorial Board co-signing Mealer. That means our county judge must be ready to lead our community through these challenges and toward a thriving future. We need more vaccine, Turner said. The result: Cagles Republican-leaning precinct became a Democratic-leaning one. 4 candidate Lesley Briones talks to her supporters at her watch party at Cottonwood on N. Shepherd Tuesday Nov. 08,2022.Also pictured are her daughters Catalina, Ana Lucia and Valentina. Hidalgo's ethics argument also been blunted by the felony indictment of three current and former aides on charges of misuse of official information and tampering. Democratic incumbent Judge Lina Hidalgo will serve another term as county judge for Texas' most populous county after . Before coming to the Chronicle, Jen spent three years covering City Hall for Houston's NPR station. This is a carousel. 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. 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. VIDEO: Lina Hidalgo and Alexandra Mealer debate Harris County budget, crime and policy. Where do the candidates for Hidalgo County Judge stand on the biggest challenges facing colonia residents and the Rio Grande Valley? 2022 / 08:13 AM CST . 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. "Because Lina has funded more full-time social workers than she has sheriff deputies.". Hidalgo's camp announced that the Democratic judge will make her victory remarks at the office of the Harris County Democratic Party on Wednesday, though they did not confirm when. Those showed potentially ominous trends for strongholds in the traditional Democratic coalition. Quick Links. While Commissioners Court and the county judge have little practical authority over abortion policy, Hidalgo has argued the court plays a role through its oversight of the county hospital system, which provides reproductive care to residents. Among those trailing are five criminal district court judges: Chuck Silverman, 183rd district court; Abigail Anastasio, 184th; Greg Glass, 208th; and Amy Martin, 263rd. With 205 of 259 precincts reporting in the Democratic primary, Ruben Ramirez was leading in the race for U.S. Representative . Texas Ethics Commission . McGuinness previously covered the Rhode Island statehouse for the Associated Press and breaking news for the Boston Globe. November 8, 2022 General Election & Local Entities Elections. 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. IN THIS EPISODE: Alexandra Del Moral Mealer, the GOP Candidate running for Harris County Judge, talks about what led to her jump on the campaign trail with a goal to unseat incumbent candidate . Welcome to Hidalgo County! She won in the general election on November 8, 2022. 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. After briefly looking down and taking a pause, Hidalgo continued: "But y'all, didn't I say it would be a sweet victory?". 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 . He initially joined the paper through the Hearst Journalism Fellowship program after covering the same beats for the San Antonio Express-News. District Clerk Marilyn Burgess led her Democratic challenger in the early returns. (Steve Gonzales, Staff photographer) / Hidalgo and Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner before they gave a joint press conference about growing Monkeypox infections in July 2022. 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. Early voting in the March primary begins on Valentine's Day. We pride ourselves on doing our best, being responsible with taxpayer . As Hidalgo's woes multiplied in commissioners court, her political opponent continued to rack up high-dollar contributions from well-heeled conservative donors. Ed Emmett (Republican Party) was the Harris County Judge in Texas. 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. Tax Rates. 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. What does the data say? 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