She won in the general election on November 8, 2022. 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. Its rattlesnake season in Texas. Her reporting has aired nationally on NPR's Morning Edition, All Things Considered and Here & Now. Oct 25, 2022 - News. 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. A look back at Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo's biggest moments of 2022. McGuinness previously covered the Rhode Island statehouse for the Associated Press and breaking news for the Boston Globe. That fundraising ability allowed Mealer to distribute TV ads hammering home her message that crime is out of control and Hidalgo is to blame. 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 . Lina Hidalgo, a rising Democratic star, faces a tough reelection race to lead Harris County. 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. Q&A: Get to know the Republican candidates for Harris County judge Terry Palacios wins Democratic nomination in Hidalgo County district 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. . This is a carousel. Sen. Ted Cruz, who endorsed Mealer showed up at Mealer's election watch party. For the first time, the two candidates for Harris County judge, incumbent Lina Hidalgo and challenger Alexandra Mealer, sat down face-to-face. Jack Cagle is running against Democrat Lesley Briones. 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. Sort of. 2022 Wave elections; Democratic Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo, left, is facing a challenge from Republican Alexandra Moral del Mealer. District Clerk Marilyn Burgess led her Democratic challenger in the early returns. Hidalgo's conservative commissioners court colleagues have accused the judge of "defunding the police," a claim she has fiercely denied. she shouted to roaring applause. The poll released by the UH Hobby School of Public Affairs shows Democratic incumbent Lina Hidalgo at 48% among likely . 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. "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. 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 . For several election cycles, Houston-area voters have favored Democrats over Republicans. Turnout in the top 10 majority Black ZIP codes was down 15 percent from 2018, for example. Those showed potentially ominous trends for strongholds in the traditional Democratic coalition. Please type your name EXACTLY as it appears on your VOTER REGISTRATION RECORD. Dozens of supporters for Alexandra del Moral Mealer, the Republican candidate challenging Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo, packed the room at the Sept. 13 meeting of Commissioners Court, each wearing "Alex's Army" T-shirts and loudly scoffing when Hidalgo spoke. He initially joined the paper through the Hearst Journalism Fellowship program after covering the same beats for the San Antonio Express-News. Harris County judge Lina Hidalgo greets her supporters at an primaries election night party at Axelrad Beer Garden, Tuesday, March 1, 2022, in Houston. Hidalgo has held the position since defeating then-incumbent and longtime County . Hidalgos Republican opponent, Alexandra del Moral Mealer raised 4x the amount of fundraising money in her bid. Lina Hidalgo, Basking in National Praise, Faces a Potential Scandal at Here is a look at some of her most significant moments of 2022. With all voting centers reporting, Hidalgo had 546,745 votes (50.74 percent) to Mealer's 530,788 (49.25 percent. Hidalgo ( Democratic Party) ran for re-election for Harris County Judge in Texas. Ballotpedia's 2022 elections analysis. Houston still trails well behind other big cities around the country, many of which experienced a sharper rise in violent crime. "With crime rising, is the focus increasing deputies or is it increasing social workers?" Emmett left office in 2019. The Editorial Board. Search Texas Monthly 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. Alexandra del Moral Mealer and attorney Vidal Martinez were leading the nine-candidate Republican field for the GOPs nomination for county judge. Her opponent, Republican challenge . Fifteen candidates are vying for the position of Harris County judge in the upcoming . That's because Harris County District Court Judge Dawn Rogers prompted by a lawsuit alleging that some people were denied election access because of poor planning that led to late opening times at some voting centers signed an order on Tuesday evening keeping all polling places open one hour later, until 8 p.m., only to have the Texas Supreme Court stay her order in the evening. Democratic incumbent Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo and Republican Alexandra del Moral Mealer addressed voters in Houston. Commissioner Jack and Janet Cagle, center, at his election night party at Maize's Restaurant in Houston. 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. Cagle was unopposed on the Republican side. Astros GM Dana Brown the antithesis of his predecessors, Texas wants to ban delta-8, but veterans are pushing back, UH, Texas A&M removing DEI statements from hiring practices, Houston is the most stressful city to work in, says new study, The Breakfast Klub sues prominent City Hall consultant for fraud, Lauren Daigle at Houston Rodeo: 'God always has your number', Galveston gets fourth Carnival Cruise Line. 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. . Friday, November 4, 2022. Harris County judge Lina Hidalgo talks to her supporters at an primaries election night party, Tuesday, March 1, 2022, in Houston. Mealers bid focused on the rise in crime Harris County has seen since the COVID-19 pandemic, seeking to lay blame for that uptick at Hidalgos feet, although similar or larger increases have occurred across the country. 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. Mealer has framed those unfilled positions as another failure on Hidalgo's part, suggesting the county recruit from military bases and offer signingbonuses using federal COVID relief funds. 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. Chris Daniel, a former district clerk, ran unopposed in the Republican primary. 3 . Houston Chronicle Editorial Board recommends Alexandra Mealer, not Lina . Democratic incumbent Lina Hidalgo is running for a second term as Harris County Judge. This is a developing story. They attributed the delay to damaged ballot sheets that must be duplicated before they can be scanned by counting machines, according to Secretary of State John Scotts office. Lina Hidalgo (@LinaHidalgoTX) November 9, 2022. . Republican candidates face off for Hidalgo Co. Judge | KVEO-TV the Hidalgo County health authority, announced he was passing on a campaign for the seat, saying he could . Where do the candidates for Hidalgo County Judge stand on the biggest challenges facing colonia residents and the Rio Grande Valley? More often, though, her campaign rhetoric has focused on fending off attacks from Mealer and throwing her own punches at the GOP nominee. Republicans Have Their Knives Out for Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo The intense exchange was just one of many instances in which the lieutenant governor has openly rejected Hidalgo. Tax Rates. Come find out at a candidate forum hosted by LUPE and LUPE Votes this Friday, February 4th at 5 pm online. 2022 Candidate's Guide - Running for State, District or County Office; 2020 Candidate's Guide - Running for Federal, State, District or County offices. Its rattlesnake season in 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. 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. 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 . Democratic incumbent Judge Lina Hidalgo will serve another term as county judge for Texas' most populous county after . challenging Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo, The key state and local races that your vote will decide in the November 8 midterm election, 1,000 additional law enforcement officers. 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. Candidate Information | Hidalgo County, TX - Official Website ", Thank you to all those who supported our campaign for good governance pic.twitter.com/ZnjLvtQVTO. 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. Lina Hidalgo and Alexandra Mealer debate Harris County issues Dylan McGuinness covers City Hall and local politics for the Houston Chronicle. "Elections should not be about pitting one group against each other. Harris County judge Lina Hidalgo is applauded as she arrives at a primaries election night party, Tuesday, March 1, 2022, in Houston. 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. Lin-Manuel Miranda appeared at a rally Tuesday supporting Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo for reelection. First Day to Apply for a Ballot by Mail. Hidalgo-Mealer judge election is a showdown over Harris County 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. Her current term ends on December 31, 2026. "The math is clear, and one plus one equals two, but they're still trying to pin that on us," she said. Hidalgo also found herself at the center of controversy earlier this year after three of her top aides were indicted by a grand jury. Hidalgo County Elections Department administers the polling locations in the early voting period. November 8, 2022 (General) Hidalgo. Harris County Judge candidates: Lina Hidalgo vs Alexandra del Moral Mealer According to election results from 2016 and 2020, Democrats hold a 12-point advantage in Precinct 4. Are ticket costs pricing Houston Astros fans out of Opening Day? Axios on twitter. (Photo: Lina Hidalgo campaign) HOUSTON - Less than an hour after the polls closed for the 2022 Texas Primary Election Tuesday, Democratic incumbent Lina Hidalgo took the lead ahead of all other candidates for Harris County Judge. Espaol / English. The Houston Chronicle's editorial board makes an endorsement for the Harris County judge that can be considered crucial in the tight race. Heres what you need to know. 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. Jay R. Jordan; Axios on facebook. He grew up in Connecticut, graduated from Northeastern University in Boston, and is a die-hard Red Sox fan. Don't elect their candidate for County Judge" or something and avoided a poor fact checking result. In Precinct 2, former commissioner Jack Morman and Deer Park Mayor Jerry Mouton led three other candidates. 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. 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. Registered Voters as of February 27, 2023 Total 412,899. (Jon Shapley, Staff photographer), Bun B, Badu, J.J. Watt celebrate RodeoHouston Southern Takeover, Exclusive: Abbott explains push against diversity hiring programs. In February, Texas Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick criticized Hidalgo for where she decided to stand at the memorial service of slain Harris County Pct. Harris County leaders face a slew of challengers this election season FOX 26 rates Hidalgo attack ad: 'Mostly B.S.' : r/houston Moreover, Patrick confronted Hidalgo at the event and accused her of defunding the police despite increasing the law enforcement budget since 2019. Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo saw her most challenging year in politics in 2022. 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. Ellie Torres (D) Hidalgo County Constable Precinct 5. FOX 26 Houston. Campaign Finance Reports. Hidalgo drew support from 45%. 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. Lina Hidalgo reelected as Harris County judge. Election 2022: Candidates for Harris County judge race stake their Another administrative incumbent, Harris County Treasurer Dylan Osborne, appeared headed for defeat as well, trailing challenger Carla Wyatt. LUPE is a nonprofit organization that helps the community organize for and win a better quality of life. 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. Election mishaps and conflicting court rulings introduced a degree of uncertainty about when the results would become official. Hidalgo has maintained that the scandal was a politically motivated attack and has publicly defended her aides. As many of you know, I am not a stranger to public service. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. Are insane ticket costs pricing Astros fans out of Opening Day? Hidalgo defeats Mealer in Harris County judge race 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. 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. Turnout overall was down 10 percent, but de Leon noted it still marked the second-highest turnout for a midterm election here. Race for Harris County judge still too close to call And there is something for us to do. 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. Hidalgo also faced more specific challenges, including her fundraising disadvantage and a corruption probe. During her campaign, Hidalgo said she was also subjected to smears, attacks, and the "dirtiest political tricks" from statewide leaders like Gov. 5 Deputy Corporal Charles Galloway. DIRECTORY. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate. 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. Daniel Marichalar (D) Hidalgo County Criminal District Attorney. Harris County Elections Administrator Isabel Longoria said some paper ballots got wrinkled and jammed, but most votes would be counted on time. Rising Democratic Star Survives Close Call in Houston Candidate Information Texas Secretary of State. And the total number of votes will far surpass the total in 2014, the last time Republicans won countywide seats. Another candidate for county judge is McAllen City Commissioner Tania Ramirez. 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. ELECTION CALENDAR DATES. 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. 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. Hidalgo's reelection campaign also suffered a blow following an unexpected endorsement from the Houston Chronicle Editorial Board co-signing Mealer. Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton challenged it after Rogers' ruling, prompting the intervention by the all-Republican Texas Supreme Court. Please check back later for updates. Previously, she was a community news and breaking news reporter for the Austin American-Statesman. Lina Hidalgo vs. Alexandra Mealer: Harris County Judge Live Election Lina Hidalgo (@LinaHidalgoTX) November 9, 2022. On Twitter Wednesday morning, Hidalgo celebrated her win, tweeting: "Yesterday, the people of Harris County chose optimism over fear & people over politics. Five questions with Harris County judge candidate Alexandra Mealer He grew up in Connecticut, graduated from Northeastern University in Boston, and is a die-hard Red Sox fan. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate. 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 . Q&A: Get to know Harris County judge candidates Mealer, Hidalgo 10:46 AM CDT October 23, 2022 . Hobby School Poll: Harris County Judge's Race Too Close to Call Employees Only. His statement went on to layout the penalty a class B misdemeanor for failing to meet the deadline. 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. . I also want to thank Ms. Mealer for a hard-fought campaign & her military service. "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.". Hidalgo also addressed the millions in campaign contributions her opponent garnered from "far right, Trump mega-donors," while campaigning for office. Lin-Manuel Miranda appeared at a rally Tuesday supporting Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo . I am extremely grateful to our supporters and all those who contributed to this campaign. I want to thank each & every voter who showed up to make their voice heard this election. New Poll Shows Republican Mealer Up Four Over Democratic Harris County Democrats have won every countywide contest since 2016, including Hidalgos own upset win over popular incumbent Ed Emmett in 2018. 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! November 8, 2022 General Election & Local Entities Elections. In the Precinct 4 Commissioner's race, Lesley Briones, the Democratic challenger to Republican incumbent Jack Cagle, had 121,391 votes (51.62 percent) to Cagle's 113,774 (48.38 percent). A new poll shows the Harris County Judge's race is neck-and-neck 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. The last-minute celebrity endorsements were one of Hidalgos last campaign moves before the Nov. 8 election. 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. 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.