She's facing challengers . 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. The County Judge is the presiding officer of the county commissioners court and the head of emergency management. No candidate in those two races had the majority needed to win outright on election night. Release: Hidalgo County Judge Candidates Will Tackle the Biggest Challenges Facing Colonia, RGV Residents at LUPE Candidate Forum. Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo saw her most challenging year in politics in 2022. Harris County judgeLina Hidalgotalks to her supporters at a primaries election night party, Tuesday, March 1, 2022, in Houston. Minerva Diaz (R) Hidalgo County Commissioner Precinct 4. Rest assured that I take, very seriously, the responsibility to serve all of Hidalgo County. 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. The poll released by the UH Hobby School of Public Affairs shows Democratic incumbent Lina Hidalgo at 48% among likely . You can't just look the other way on so many issues.". According to election results from 2016 and 2020, Democrats hold a 12-point advantage in Precinct 4. Early voting will begin Monday, October 24, 2022 and will run through. Power-hungry politicians use our home to scapegoat immigrants, divide citizens and enrich wealthy special interests. Are insane ticket costs pricing Astros fans out of Opening Day? Updated: . ", The Republican newcomer continued: "This campaign was always about good government and I am hopeful that we have played a role encouraging that going forward. Oct. 12, 2022. Mar 2, 2022. Mealer is trying to take full advantage, blanketing the airwaves with campaign ads and outspending the incumbent overall. McGuinness previously covered the Rhode Island statehouse for the Associated Press and breaking news for the Boston Globe. Chris Daniel, a former district clerk, ran unopposed in the Republican primary. This is a carousel. Emmett left office in 2019. Against the newcomer, Hidalgo's campaign appeared unworried about Mealer's prospects and trusted voters would secure her position again. Registered Voters as of February 27, 2023 Total 412,899. I also want to thank Ms. Mealer for a hard-fought campaign & her military service. Employees Only. Hector de Leon, who works for the county clerk's office that used to oversee elections, analyzed early vote data to show some turnout trends among different demographic categories. 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. 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. 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. WINNERS AND LOSERS: Who won and who lost in the 2022 midterm elections across Houston and rest of Texas? 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. 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. District Clerk Marilyn Burgess led her Democratic challenger in the early returns. This is a carousel. Harris County judge candidates . 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 . "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." 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 . 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. Lin-Manuel Miranda appeared at a rally Tuesday supporting Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo . 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. Its rattlesnake season in Texas. 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 argued Republicans are forcing the county to scale back other essential services, and as she commented on the impacts to various departments, Mealer supporters rolled their eyes, laser-focused on their candidates goal of hiring more patrol officers. Lina Hidalgo ( Democratic Party) is the Harris County Judge in Texas. 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. Hidalgo also found herself at the center of controversy earlier this year after three of her top aides were indicted by a grand jury. 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. In her first term in office, Hidalgo has expanded the traditional responsibilities of county government beyond infrastructure, law enforcement and flood control, imagining a broader, more holistic role for the county that includes such things as child care, housing stability and reform-minded criminal justice. The judge congratulated other candidates who . 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. [Tex. 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. I am extremely grateful to our supporters and all those who contributed to this campaign. 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. 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. Her reporting has aired nationally on NPR's Morning Edition, All Things Considered and Here & Now. Sort of. She has defended the staffers, who are accused of steering a vaccine outreach contract to a politically connected vendor. Ellie Torres (D) Hidalgo County Constable Precinct 5. "With crime rising, is the focus increasing deputies or is it increasing social workers?" DIRECTORY. 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. The last-minute celebrity endorsements were one of Hidalgos last campaign moves before the Nov. 8 election. Hidalgo's victory helped secure a 4-1 Democratic majority on the court that was sealed after former civil court judge Lesley Briones beat incumbent Republican commissioner Jack Cagle for the Precinct 4 seat. He said they were watching growing caseloads in other major American cities. art. He grew up in Connecticut, graduated from Northeastern University in Boston, and is a die-hard Red Sox fan. Despite the odds seemingly piling up against Hidalgo as Election Day approached, the 31-year-old Democrat still managed to come out on top. See also: Municipal elections in Harris County, Texas (2022) General election. After briefly looking down and taking a pause, Hidalgo continued: "But y'all, didn't I say it would be a sweet victory?". Taken on September 7, 2022. Hidalgo cited the two Republicans blockade of a new tax rate as justification, saying they endangered vital county services. The two emerged as victors in a nine-person primary election last month, with Mealer capturing 29 percent to Martinez's 26 percent. Monday, February 14, 2022. Unofficial results for county, state and federal primary races have been released in Hidalgo County, with voters casting ballots in races, including county judge, criminal district attorney and governor. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate. Incumbents in more high-profile local posts, namely Hidalgo and Garcia, fared better. More than 80 percent of Mealer's contributions were spent on advertising, while Hidalgo spent more than 87 percent, according to a report from Community Impact. Are insane ticket costs pricing Astros fans out of Opening Day? We'll ask them about immigration and the border, climate-fueled flooding, broadband internet, and more. Is Whataburger healthy? Recent polls reflected the two candidates were in a virtual dead heat, with Mealer up two points over Hidalgo. Another administrative incumbent, Harris County Treasurer Dylan Osborne, appeared headed for defeat as well, trailing challenger Carla Wyatt. "The community has a position on these issues, and they want to know their leader's position. Where do the candidates for Hidalgo County Judge stand on the biggest challenges facing colonia residents and the Rio Grande Valley? Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo tries to win re-election but faces a challenge from Republican Alexandra . Friday, November 4, 2022. Help us ask the candidates for Hidalgo County Judge the challenging questions. 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. If you are running in the March 2022 primaries, we want to hear from you. Shortly before 5 a.m., the early votes and less than half of the 375 voting centers had been reported. 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. I want to thank each & every voter who showed up to make their voice heard this election. Republicans and prominent business leaders in Harris County made unseating Hidalgo a priority. And there is something for us to do. 10:46 AM CDT October 23, 2022 . 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. Our nation is too divided right now and it's been divided for too many years," Hidalgo said. She won in the general election on November 8, 2022. 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. Another candidate for county judge is McAllen City Commissioner Tania Ramirez. HARRIS COUNTY, Texas (KTRK) -- Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo's political future is on the line for 2022. 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 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. Oct. 12, 2022 Updated: Oct. 14, 2022 1:37 p.m. For the first time, the two candidates for Harris County judge, incumbent Lina Hidalgo and challenger Alexandra Mealer, sat down . Tax Rates. Jasper Scherer covers Texas politics and government for the Houston Chronicle and San Antonio Express-News. She has created a political base around her campaign to make her race one of the most important and contested races in the state.. 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. Heres what you need to know. 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.. Across race and background, we are uniting to demand those who govern in our name to provide the things all working people need: Education that teaches us about our past while preparing us for the future. March 2022 marks an unusually crowded primary season for Harris County politics, with three Harris County . A sixth criminal judge, Jason Luong of the 185th district court, also trailed in his election but appeared headed for a runoff. In the first post-redistricting election members are divided into two classes; one class shall serve a 2-year term and the other class shall serve a 4-year term. The balance of the five-member court is at stake in this election, with three incumbents up for re-election in competitive races. 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. Harris County Commissioner Pct. Its rattlesnake season in Texas. 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. 2022 Updated: 5:24 PM CST November 9, 2022 . Hidalgos stature quickly skyrocketed after the 2018 election, as she developed a passionate following among liberals inspired to see a Colombian immigrant elected at age 27 go toe-to-toe with Republican state leaders and veteran county commissioners. The Houston Chronicle's editorial board makes an endorsement for the Harris County judge that can be considered crucial in the tight race. The request to keep the polling sites open late was made by the Texas Organizing Project, Texas Civil Rights Project and the ACLU of Texas. Elections 2022 Election Guide: Harris County and Texas races to watch . Jack Cagle is running against Democrat Lesley Briones. 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. Oct 25, 2022 - News. 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. "To the naysayers who think I'll be intimidated by conspiracy theories or by bullying or by political prosecutionsbring it on!" 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. The Editorial Board. 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.. From attacks by Texas Republicans, charges filed . Sort of. 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. Edinburg, Texas 78539. Lina Hidalgo (@LinaHidalgoTX) November 9, 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. On election night, Mealer conceded the race after unofficial results showed Hidalgo riding to a comfortable 15,000-vote lead. The contract was ultimately rescinded, and Hidalgo has continuously defended her office and aides in relation to the indictment. This 10 percentage point lead by . I want to thank each & every voter who showed up to make their voice heard this election. Ballotpedia's 2022 elections analysis.