I think shes shown a remarkable ability to exercise leadership during a moment of crisis and, in her case, a series of crises, said County Commissioner Rodney Ellis, a Democrat and Hidalgo ally. ", SEE ALSO: Houston-area law enforcement getting 'first-of-its-kind' to combat rise in crime. **Please note** If you are already signed up for the newsletter, you do not need to sign up again. Dave Grohl cooks barbecue for hundreds at shelter, Chocolate peanut butter cups recalled nationwide, Republicans vow to block Biden FAA pick as Democrats, MLB could take over broadcasting of Astros, others, Star-studded lineup set for March Madness Music Festival, Buydowns can lower mortgage rates. Right now, we have a public safety crisis, Mealer said. Mealer has outspent Hidalgo by more than 2 to 1, nearly $3.5 million to Hidalgos $1.4 million including on television and radio ads like the Mattress Mack ad and another commercial in which she appears with relatives of homicide victims. Shes been tested in a way very few people in public life have been tested because of so many crises.. She is running against a wife, mom, combat veteran, Hispanic, West Pointer and Harvard JD/MBA that she routinely disrespects by name calling, photoshopping and intentionally misquoting. Copyright 2023 KTRK-TV. Texas Republicans made Hidalgo a top target after she was elected. Part of the issue may be the courts themselves. That has absolutely nothing to do with the county judge.. The biggest issue facing Harris County is the lawlessness that has been allowed to fester. Jason Cox, the one-term judge presiding over Harris County Probate Court 3, will have to defeat Republican candidate Rory Olsen a second time to hold onto the seat. Precinct 7 May Walker. The Arizona Legislature's Senate Elections Committee and House Municipal Oversight & Elections Committee held a joint hearing on Thursday featuring testimony from several people involved in researching the voter disenfranchisement that occurred in 2020 and 2022. Find a complete list of them here. 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. Mealer says the money is in the wrong place. In this capacity, he heads the station's coverage of national, state, and local elections. Then, Democrats were energized by their anger toward Trump, and ORourke was in a tight race against Cruz. Precinct 3 Sherman Eagleton. She assumed office on January 1, 2019. "If you live in Dallas or Harris or Travis County, there is a very good chance every judge elected to the bench is going to be a Democrat, and in some of the rural counties, it will be the . Trever Nehls declined to give an interview before the primary. But the scandal has given Republicans an opening to clobber Hidalgo who has often touted her ethical bona fides such as not taking campaign contributions from donors who do business with the county, a common practice among county commissioners. Your subscription will be migrated over. We made developers follow the strictest water detention standards so that as the county grows it doesnt flood more. Incumbent: Jason Luong Experience: Jason Luong began his legal career as the law clerk to United States District Court Judge Royal Furgeson, in Midland, Texas. 2005-2022 Community Impact Newspaper Co. All rights reserved. If you'd like to sign up now, fill out the form below and we will add you as soon as we finish the transition. Its okay, you may agree you may disagree, but the democracy depends on participation, Hidalgo said. I frankly view all of this as a distraction from the actual county judge position, Mealer said. Disclosure: Texans for Lawsuit Reform and the University of Houston have been financial supporters of The Texas Tribune, a nonprofit, nonpartisan news organization that is funded in part by donations from members, foundations and corporate sponsors. Hidalgo has defended the staffers, who are charged with misuse of official information and tampering with a government record, and called the charges politically motivated. Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo, left, and Alexandra del Moral Mealer, Hidalgos opponent, talk to members of the Houston Chronicle editorial board on Sept. 29. criminal indictment of three Hidalgo staffers, a common practice among county commissioners, the effect on violent crime is less clear. George wins his second term as county judge after a big upset win in 2018. It's how you spend that money. But that doesn't mean crime is not worse by some metrics. 2. Hidalgo said the county is spending record amounts of money on an approach that does not only include additional law enforcement and in our interview late this summer cited a seven percent decrease in violent crime year to year. Theres a feeling that were the firewall here in Harris County to make sure Texas doesnt go blue, said Cindy Siegel, Harris Countys Republican Party chair. The Commissioners Court sets the County tax rate, adopts the budget, appoints boards and commissions, approves grants and personnel actions, and oversees the administration of county government. But Mealer faces a tough climb in whats expected to be a tight race for the countys top position. Hidalgo, who has been dealing with a COVID-19 vaccine bid rigging scandal that has led to three members of her staff being indicted, has fought back by not only attacking Mealers right-wing donors, but rallying her left-wing base on the abortion issue. Democrats also look to be winners in the two county commissioner seats as well, as incumbent Adrian Garcia leads former commissioner Jack Morman 52.6% (105,653) to 47.4% (95,363) in the Precinct 2 commissioners race, while Lesley Briones defeats Republican incumbent Jack Cagle 51.6% (121,391) to 48.4% (113,774). Access to the entire ALM network of websites, Unlimited access to the ALM suite of newsletters, Build custom alerts on any search topic of your choosing. Copyright 2023 ALM Global, LLC. It's unprecedented that after starting as an unknown, in just seven months of general election campaigning, Lina and I are in a dead heat. Salary will be commen Pringle Quinn Anzano, P.C. With this subscription you will receive unlimited access to high quality, online, on-demand premium content from well-respected faculty in the legal industry. Houston Public Media is supported with your gifts to the Houston Public Media Foundation and is licensed to the University of Houston. . Texas Molecular, the company contracted to dispose of the wastewater, informed Judge Lina Hidalgo Thursday that the first shipments had arrived by truck around Wednesday, February 15. I ran because this is the best position to impact public safety.. Democrat Erica Davis announced her run for Harris County Judge, joining 11 other challengers in the race to unseat Lina Hidalgo. Harris County oversees the sheriffs department and the constables who provide law enforcement for some 2 million people living in unincorporated areas of the county as well as other criminal justice responsibilities like the jail, criminal courts and prosecutors. Originally from Northern Virginia, Rachel is an avid soccer fan and unabashedly loves reality TV. Law Offices of Gary Martin Hays & Associates Hidalgo also oversaw the countys response to the 2021 winter storm that crashed the states power grid, as well as the regions ongoing recovery from Hurricane Harvey. Aimed to help Insurers prevent, prepare and prevail In adjudicating complex claims, negotiating settlements and winning cases. It is imperative to have safe and efficient roadway systems, which is accomplished through investment in maintenance and roadway expansions. And while every countywide position is held by a Democrat, the county judges seat has been in Democratic hands for only four years. In the Nov. 8. election, Judge Jason Cox of Harris County Probate Court 3 will face Republican candidate Rory Olsen, who was judge of the same court for several four-year terms. And the two reasons I chose to enter this race, crime and government corruption, are the top two issues for the vast majority of voters in our county. The race pins current Democratic. Nehls, the Republican challenger, got 119,082 votes, good for 48.4% of the vote. Join others and make your gift to Houston Public Media today. And weve increased, and will continue to increase, the ranks of detention officers to reduce strain on current jail staff. HARRIS COUNTY, Texas (KTRK) -- Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo's political future is on the line for 2022. Shes pointing out a campaign platform thats since been deleted by Mealer, detailing her plans to clean voter rolls. Rachel covers Harris County and the Harris County Commissioners Court for Community Impact Newspaper in partnership with Report for America. Law.com Compass includes access to our exclusive industry reports, combining the unmatched expertise of our analyst team with ALMs deep bench of proprietary information to provide insights that cant be found anywhere else. Your subscription will be migrated over. No Republican Party candidates filed to run. Texas Comptroller Glenn Hegar in August accused county officials of violating a new state law aimed at discouraging local elected officials from cutting police spending when they ended a policy allowing county constables to roll over unspent funds to the next years budget. I couldnt tag him because hes been banned from Twitter, Hidalgo said. Hidalgo is accusing Mealer of being an election denier and is questioning whether she would respect the voting wishes of Harris County. In a now-deleted YouTube video, Hidalgos campaign screen captured an image with Trump over the shoulder of Mealer. It's a big answer. I would say shes a narrow favorite to win, Keir Murray, a Houston Democratic strategist, said of Hidalgo. Our priority on commissioners court will be public safety, and as long as we are in agreement that that is the top priority, we will be able to find ways to work together. Hillary Clinton and Biden both won there by wider margins, as did Beto ORourke when he challenged U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz in 2018. Barack Obama barely won the county in 2008 and 2012. Nov 08, 2022. Terri Schultz. October 14, 2022 . Before, flood projects too often left very impacted but less wealthy communities behind. Harris County Criminal Lawyers Association. A recent Hobby School survey found that among white, Hispanic, and black voters, among women and men, Crime and Public Safety is across the board a consistent a top three issue in 2022. A new poll shows the Harris County Judge's race is neck-and-neck The poll released by the UH Hobby School of Public Affairs shows Democratic incumbent Lina Hidalgo at 48% among likely voters. Jones is one of the people behind the new Hobby School of Public Affairs poll on the Harris County judge's race. Example video title will go here for this video. Family violence increased. Elections. "The Republicans have taken on the mantle of we're standing against crime and they've said things like we need more police officers, constables, sheriff's deputies on the streets. Harris County courthouse. RELATED: 'This Week In Texas' puts spotlight on Harris County Judge's race, "I don't think Houston or Texas is different from most parts of the country," Alex Bunin, the chief public defender in Harris County, said. We're in the process of transitioning services for our Today in Houston newsletter. Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo previously announced the approval of $9 million in funds for local apprenticeships in addition to over $13 million for upskilling, such as additional job training and retraining. The HCCLA logo is a registered trademark. ABC13 reached out to both candidates about Monday's poll. Contact Us| | HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) -- As early voting began Monday, a new poll revealed how tight the race is for Harris County judge. They are increasingly treating their bid to unseat Hidalgo as a last stand. I'm running to protect our progress and keep Harris County moving forward. Courtesy Erica Davis, a Democrat running for Harris. 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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 . All Rights Reserved. Someone running on lets purge the rolls and 'I dont believe Trump lost.' It has been called Dr. Seuss Day because of this. Its not where we need to be, but what were doing is working, Hidalgo said. HARRIS COUNTY, Texas (KTRK) -- A sticking point in the county's budget is funding law enforcement as democrats and republicans stake their positions on public safety heading into a hotly contested race for Harris County judge. Here is what the Hidalgo campaign sent to ABC13: "Judge Hidalgo successfully led Harris County through natural disasters and a global pandemic - all while making record-breaking investments in public safety and overhauling systems that did a disservice to our county. 2023 Criminal Court Policies (Appearances, Resets, Pleas, ZOOM links), Southern District of Texas (Houston Division), Harris County Criminal Lawyers Association (HCCLA), PDO (FREE CLE): How to Break Down the Complex Science for the Lawyer. RELATED: Political experts believe the Chronicle's endorsement can be crucial in race for Harris County judge, "Our latest budget has $1.5 billion dollars toward crime," she said in late August. With early voting underway, Jones says the poll shows just how important voting is. Its our 10th year participating in Amplify, and to celebrate, weve got $15,000 in matching funds from four generous Tribune supporters. Harris County Republican Party | 8588 Katy Freeway, Suite 445 Houston, TX 77024 | (713) 838-7900 Business hours | 10 am - 4 pm Monday through Friday Lina Hidalgo (D) is running for Harris County Judge. Harris County, Texas contains 60 judicial districts, four probate courts and one county court. there are two men on the ballot running for Fort Bend County Judge. For updates on this story, follow Nick Natario on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Lina Hidalgo doesnt want to talk about crime because she really has been more of the group that just didnt want to deal with it, Emmett said. If you'd like to sign up now, fill out the form below and we will add you as soon as we finish the transition. Oct. 20, 20225 AM Central. Weve made significant progress on the backlog with a $17 million investment to add additional judges to the bench and fund technical improvements that allow cases to move faster. "Crime and public safety is the dominant issue and that gives a real advantage to Alex Mealer because a plurality of Harris County voters believe she is the one who's best suited to handle the county's strong problems with crime and public safety," Jones explained. Hammering the 31-year-old incumbent over the countys high number of homicides and the criminal indictment of three Hidalgo staffers, Republican Alexandra del Moral Mealer has mounted a robust challenge against Hidalgo prompting GOP donors to open their wallets for the chance to halt Hidalgos political career and retake the seat they lost in 2018. "I saw my neighborhood started to change," Mealer told ABC13. HARRIS COUNTY, Texas The race for Harris County Judge is one of the most closely watched races this cycle. When buying cowboy boots, there are a few aspects to consider, such as how far up they go on your legs and their design. said, explaining why she'd decided to run again in 2022. Hidalgo has 546,745 total votes for 50.7%, while Mealer has 530,788 total votes for 49.3%. Early in the pandemic, Hidalgo publicly clashed with Gov. About Us| 2 in November 2022, replacing then-sitting Judge Ronnisha Bowman. How will you tackle the criminal court case backlog and the overcrowding at the county jail? Updated Perkins Coie Lays Off 58 Business Professionals, Cravath Set for English Law Debut with Shearman Double Partner Hire, Early Reports: 2023 Am Law 200 Financials, AI Has Gone Mainstream. Mom of 2, stabbed 8 times, is making most of second chance at life, Mom's bond raised months after being charged with role in son's death, Mom's purse snatched while picking up child from daycare, police say. Below the Waterlines: Houston After Hurricane Harvey, Q&A with Lina Hidalgo: Harris County judge discusses pressing issues facing Houston region, Harris County Precinct 5 Constable's Office, Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo explains evolving stance on toxic wastewater shipments from Ohio, Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo (March 1, 2023), Harris County approves over $9 million in funding for apprenticeships, job training, Santa Fe High School shooter remains mentally incompetent to stand trial, further dragging on 5-year-old case, Houston remains one of the most affordable big cities in the U.S., even if it no longer feels like it, Santa Fe shooting survivor Trey Louis tugs at judges heartstrings on American Idol, Bun B announces part of RodeoHouston Southern Takeover lineup, DPS sent at least 3,000 drivers licenses to organized crime group targeting Asian Texans, Houston's annual 'March on Crime' campaign focused on gun safety, car burglaries as violent crime decreases through the region, Federal judge rejects qualified immunity for Houston officers who shot Charion Lockett, Harris County Constable officers used excessive force in police K-9 attack, federal lawsuit says, Officials consider building new courts, bigger facility to ease overcrowding at Harris County Jail. We shifted to a "worst first" model. Website: www.oscargonzalesforharriscountyjudge.com Contact information: 713-208-5721 Warren A. Howell Experience: manager and owner of businesses for over 50 years in construction, manufacturing,. We're in the process of transitioning services for our Today in Houston newsletter. Hegar threatened to block Harris County from passing a new proposed budget, even though it included substantial increases to the constables budgets and the countys overall public safety spending. Updated: 6:20 PM CDT September 15, 2022 HARRIS COUNTY, Texas The race for Harris County Judge is one of the most closely watched races this cycle. 1:42 PM Oct 11, 2022 CDT. My priority is providing access to brighter opportunities. As early voting begins, a new poll shows how tight the race for Harris County judge is. Abortion has really come to the forefront of peoples minds right now, Hidalgo said. Double your gift when you give by 6 p.m. Thursday. The process of keeping voter rolls updated for relocations and deaths is an ongoing effort that is a primary responsibility of the county," said Mealer. Get highlights, trending news, and behind-the-scenes insights from Houston Public Media delivered to your inbox each week. Its clearly not a localized phenomenon, said Sandra Guerra Thompson, a professor at the University of Houstons Law Center. Our second option allows you to build your bundle and strategically select the content that pertains to your needs. Luong then practiced law with two civil trial law firms in Houston. Great opportunity for advancement. Aaronson Rappaport Feinstein & Deutsch, LLP Is Pleased To Announce Patrick P. Mevs & Daniel W. Milstein Have Become Members Of The Firm. My obligation as judge will be to our residents above partisan politics. Hidalgo came into office in 2019 with an expansive view of county government and a new Democratic majority on the Harris County Commissioners Court, enabling her to expand county spending into areas typically considered outside its purview, like early childhood education and a legal defense fund for immigrants moves that critics have blasted as overreach. Women, Influence & Power in Law UK Awards honors women lawyers who have made a remarkable difference in the legal profession. Mealer outraised every statewide Republican candidate except for Abbott during that period. 0-5 year associate attorney needed for a civil litigation firm in the Buckheadarea. Below the Waterlines: Houston After Hurricane Harvey, Lucio Vasquez / Houston Public Media| Alexandra del Moral Mealer's website, Q&A with Lina Hidalgo: Harris County judge discusses pressing issues facing Houston region, Harris County Precinct 5 Constable's Office, Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo explains evolving stance on toxic wastewater shipments from Ohio, Toxic wastewater shipments from Ohio trail derailment headed back to Houston area, Firefighting wastewater from Ohio train derailment began arriving in Deer Park last week, Hidalgo says, Santa Fe High School shooter remains mentally incompetent to stand trial, further dragging on 5-year-old case, Houston remains one of the most affordable big cities in the U.S., even if it no longer feels like it, Santa Fe shooting survivor Trey Louis tugs at judges heartstrings on American Idol, Bun B announces part of RodeoHouston Southern Takeover lineup, DPS sent at least 3,000 drivers licenses to organized crime group targeting Asian Texans, A bill making illegal voting a felony, again, advances in the Texas Senate, Firefighting wastewater from Ohio train derailment to be disposed of in Harris County, experts say it's a common process. Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo 1001 Preston, Suite 911 Houston, Texas 77002 Phone: 713-274-7000 Fax: 713-755-8379. . Bunin said he has also seen how the courts, the judges, the prosecutors, and the politicians have played a role in today's climate a week out from early voting. Access to additional free ALM publications, 1 free article* across the ALM subscription network every 30 days, Exclusive discounts on ALM events and publications. Dynamically explore and compare data on law firms, companies, individual lawyers, and industry trends. Mealer, however, doesnt see a need to weigh in. Harris County Judge's race is a "Statistical Dead Heat" New. Harris County Board of Elections, 1001 Preston, Houston, Texas, 77002, US. Troy Nehls (who won reelection to the U.S. House), challenged Georges standing with local small businesses, especially after the pandemic. Andrew Schneider is the senior reporter for politics and government at Houston Public Media, NPR's affiliate station in Houston, Texas. Filing Window. Meanwhile in Fort Bend County, incumbent KP George has narrowly won his reelection bid against former constable Trever Nehls. Democratic Primary: Beth Payan, Paula Knippa, Rosa Lopez Theofanis Run for Judge of 3rd . My family and I love living in Harris County, and the first and foremost responsibility of government is to protect the most vulnerable.