Five lower-ballot Republicans had narrow advantages for criminal or civil court benches, though Democrats were leading in most contests. 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. Sam Gonzlez Kelly is a reporter for the Houston Chronicle. He grew up in Connecticut, graduated from Northeastern University in Boston, and is a die-hard Red Sox fan. . . And the pandemic is deepened inequality and exacerbated existing divisions. Climate damage has fueled storms that flood our region. "The community has a position on these issues, and they want to know their leader's position. (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. 1 Commissioner Rodney Ellis, a Democrat, and Pct. District Clerk Marilyn Burgess led her Democratic challenger in the early returns. According to Harris County officials, Patrick told Hidalgo to sit down and shut up multiple times at the funeral. First Day to Apply for a Ballot by Mail. Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton challenged it after Rogers' ruling, prompting the intervention by the all-Republican Texas Supreme Court. Incumbents in more high-profile local posts, namely Hidalgo and Garcia, fared better. The poll released by the UH Hobby School of Public Affairs shows Democratic incumbent Lina Hidalgo at 48% among likely . 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. She assumed office on January 1, 2019. Jack Cagle is running against Democrat Lesley Briones. No candidate in those two races had the majority needed to win outright on election night. Quick Links. Democrats thought their 3-2 majority on the Court would make this an easy task and they . . 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. 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. Ariana Garcia joined Chron in 2021. The court last year redrew both precincts to favor Democrats. Mayor: HISD has two optionsclose school or be taken over, Rare photos show 2 ocelots crossing South Texas road, Eric Gordon trade looking better and better for Houston Rockets, Willie Nelson pays lovely tribute to another country legend, Hiker takes 'once-in-a-lifetime' photo at Brazos Bend State Park, This Texas Hill Country town is the new, cooler Fredericksburg. . 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. Emmett (Republican Party) . 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. 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. Early voting in the March primary begins on Valentine's Day. In the GOP primary for county treasurer, Kyle Scott led Eric Dick. The pressure grew even greater in September after Precinct 3 Commissioner Tom Ramsey and Precinct 4 Commissioner Jack Cagle successfully delayed the county tax rate vote after skipping several meetings. They answered questions from the . I want to thank each & every voter who showed up to make their voice heard this election. "She does seem to evoke strong emotions in either party. Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo hugs U.S. Rep. Sylvia Garcia after being reelected for a second term on Wednesday, Nov. 9, 2022 in Houston. The result could be a 4-1 Democratic powerhouse, the same 3-2 divide or a shift back to a Republican-controlled court. He has also reported on local politics for both papers. She's facing challengers . 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. Please type your name EXACTLY as it appears on your VOTER REGISTRATION RECORD. Emmett assumed office in 2007. 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. She's challenging Democratic incumbent Lina Hidalgo to become the chief executive over county government and head of the Commissioners Court. 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. Hidalgo also addressed the millions in campaign contributions her opponent garnered from "far right, Trump mega-donors," while campaigning for office. 3 Commissioner Tom Ramsey, a Republican, do not face election this year. Lin-Manuel Miranda appeared at a rally Tuesday supporting Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo for reelection. Kennedy is a reporter at Chron covering all things Houston. 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. Fifteen candidates are vying for the position of Harris County judge in the upcoming . 2022 Candidate's Guide - Running for State, District or County Office; 2020 Candidate's Guide - Running for Federal, State, District or County offices. Democratic incumbent Lina Hidalgo is running for a second term as Harris County Judge. 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. Hidalgo ( Democratic Party) ran for re-election for Harris County Judge in Texas. Lina Hidalgo, a rising Democratic star, faces a tough reelection race to lead Harris County. Her opponent, Republican challenge . Democratic Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo, left, is facing a challenge from Republican Alexandra Moral del Mealer. Friday, November 4, 2022. 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. 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. Updated: . Turnout in the top 10 majority Black ZIP codes was down 15 percent from 2018, for example. 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 . Elections 2022 Election Guide: Harris County and Texas races to watch . Hidalgo has scoffed at Mealers police hiring pledge, pointing to the countys more than 400 unfilled law enforcement positions. 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. Judge Lina Hidalgo moved the COVID - 19 Threat to Level Orange at Houston Transtar Thursday, July 22, 2021, in Houston. FOX 26 Houston. 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 . "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." Brioness lead over Cagle came in part by design. LIVE UPDATES: 2022 Texas Primary Election Results. 2023 Commissioner's Court Meetings Calendar. Hidalgo County Courthouse 100 North Closner. 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. DIRECTORY. This is a carousel. 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. Lina Hidalgo (@LinaHidalgoTX) November 9, 2022. . Republican Harris County Judge candidate Alexandra del Moral Mealer talks to supporters during her watch party at Kirby Ice House on Tuesday, Nov. 8, 2022 in Houston. See also: Municipal elections in Harris County, Texas (2022) General election. Those showed potentially ominous trends for strongholds in the traditional Democratic coalition. 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. For several election cycles, Houston-area voters have favored Democrats over Republicans. Join us on Facebook Live and YouTube Live tonight, Friday, February 4th at 5 pm. He initially joined the paper through the Hearst Journalism Fellowship program after covering the same beats for the San Antonio Express-News. . 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. Edinburg, Texas 78539. He initially joined the paper through the Hearst Journalism Fellowship program after covering the same beats for the San Antonio Express-News. LUPE was founded in 1989 by farmworker and civil rights leaders Cesar E. Chavez and Dolores Huerta. another GOP candidate for county judge, called Hidalgo a "formidable campaigner," adding that progressives see her as a key component to flipping Texas blue. Lina Hidalgo reelected as Harris County judge. Democratic gubernatorial candidate Beto O'Rourke is leading . "They do that to get you talking about everything but Harris County. Hidalgo has maintained that the scandal was a politically motivated attack and has publicly defended her aides. In February, Texas Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick criticized Hidalgo for where she decided to stand at the memorial service of slain Harris County Pct. 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. The two emerged as victors in a nine-person primary election last month, with Mealer capturing 29 percent to Martinez's 26 percent. 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. According to the County Administrator's office, the county has added 47 deputies and 12 social workers since 2020. November 8, 2022 General Election & Local Entities Elections. "The math is clear, and one plus one equals two, but they're still trying to pin that on us," she said. The judge congratulated other candidates who won in Tuesday's election, including Democratic Precinct 2 commissioner Adrian Garcia's victory over his Republican opponent Jack Morman. 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. Incumbent Cagle lost his bid for reelection as Harris County Precinct 4 commissioner against Democratic challenger Lesley Briones, a civil court judge. Before coming to the Chronicle, Jen spent three years covering City Hall for Houston's NPR station. 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. This is a developing story. STAY IN THE KNOW, by visiting our website in the next couple of days. Dan Patrick, as well as her fellow commissioners Jack Cagle and Tom Ramsey. . 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 . Our nation is too divided right now and it's been divided for too many years," Hidalgo said. Commissioner Jack and Janet Cagle, center, at his election night party at Maize's Restaurant in Houston. ", Yesterday, the people of Harris County chose optimism over fear & people over politics. Tax Rates. Oct 25, 2022 - News. 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. Harris County judge Lina Hidalgo talks to her supporters at an primaries election night party, Tuesday, March 1, 2022, in Houston. Heres what you need to know. 5 Deputy Corporal Charles Galloway. 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. Oct. 12, 2022. We pride ourselves on doing our best, being responsible with taxpayer . McGuinness previously covered the Rhode Island statehouse for the Associated Press and breaking news for the Boston Globe. 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. Where do the candidates for Hidalgo County Judge stand on the biggest challenges facing colonia residents and the Rio Grande Valley? Her current term ends on December 31, 2026. 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. The Democratic incumbent has touted her response to the COVID-19 pandemicincluding supporting measures like drive-thru voting to help make it easier to voterecord investments in the county toward early childhood education, and creation of a legal defense fund for immigrants under her leadership. 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. The board praised her plans to combat violent crime in the county and promises to clear a backlog of criminal cases at the courthouse. 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. Harris County Commissioner Pct. Since July, Republican donors have poured nearly $9 million into Mealer's bid to unseat Hidalgo a staggering haul for a county judge race. If Hidalgo holds on to win, she will have overcome an aggressive re-election fight in a hostile political climate for Democrats. 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. You can't just look the other way on so many issues.". Moreover, Patrick confronted Hidalgo at the event and accused her of defunding the police despite increasing the law enforcement budget since 2019. 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. I want to thank each & every voter who showed up to make their voice heard this election. 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. Don't elect their candidate for County Judge" or something and avoided a poor fact checking result. Along her campaign trail, Hidalgo amassed the support of celebrities like Hamilton playwright Lin-Manuel Miranda, Chicago rapper and actor Common, and actress Jane Fonda, who block-walked with her in Houston last month. 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. Running for Local Offices; Notable Links . 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. For any questions regarding your voter information please call the Hidalgo County's Elections Department at (956) 318-2570. .