"I saw my neighborhood started to change," Mealer told ABC13. Filing Window. And the big absence is how many constables have you added? Candidate John Grace Challenges Judge Ann-Marie Carruth for Lubbock County's 72nd District Court Seat. Appeals from the Southern District go to the United States Court of Appeals for the 5th Circuit . 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. 2022 Texas Elections: Use This Voter Guide to Research Candidates Running for Judge, DOJ, Trump Spar Over Presidential Record Designation in Newly Unsealed Papers, 'Reckless and Factually Untrue': Trump Lawyers to Pay $66K After Failed RICO Suit, 'Utterly Baseless': Court Upholds Sanctions for Attorneys Behind Frivolous Election Fraud Case, Who Just Became Judge? 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. "What's happened is we've gone from a slight Hidalgo lead to a slight Mealer lead," Jones explained. Hidalgo ( Democratic Party) ran for re-election for Harris County Judge in Texas. Its not where we need to be, but what were doing is working, Hidalgo said. by Joshua Fechter Continuing to strengthen our flood resilience and our disaster preparedness. Mealer says the money is in the wrong place. 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. Tuesday, March 1, 2022. . Harris County Judge's race is a "Statistical Dead Heat". 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. But that skirmish gave way to a standoff between the three Democrats on the commissioners court, including Hidalgo, and the two Republican members, who have skipped several meetings to stop the Democratic majority from passing a budget they contend insufficiently funds public safety while keeping property taxes too high. After judge Greg Glass set bonds of $10,000 and $20,000 for two drug charges against thirty-year-old Deon Ledet, the Harris County man went free and allegedly killed one police officer and injured . Precinct 2 Jerry Garcia. 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. Women, Influence & Power in Law UK Awards honors women lawyers who have made a remarkable difference in the legal profession. Shes been tested in a way very few people in public life have been tested because of so many crises.. 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. Mealer said she plans to hire 1,000 more county law enforcement officers to deal with the surge. Hidalgo also has tried to tie Mealer to former President Donald Trump and the states abortion ban, which county judges have little to do with as the top elected officials in county government. Contact Us| Harris County Criminal Lawyers Association P.O. 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. Trever Nehls declined to give an interview before the primary. That backlog sat at 41,344 pending criminal cases as of September, down from a height of about 54,000 during summer 2021, according to county court records. About Us| The proposed county budget blocked by Republicans contains a raise for county law enforcement officers, an attempt to better recruit and retain those officers, she said. But a year of scandal and strife has complicated Hidalgos reelection bid. The poll reveals that Mealer has 47 percent of the vote and Hidalgo has 45 percent. Hidalgo has touted annual increases to the countys public safety budget since she took office and notes that violent crime has fallen year over year. Early in the pandemic, Hidalgo publicly clashed with Gov. Harris County is a place where former President Trump lost by 13 points. I think more likely than not she will prevail, but its not a guarantee by any stretch of the imagination.. said, explaining why she'd decided to run again in 2022. I'm interested in running for Harris County Judge. Though experts in policing tend to agree that increasing the presence of police officers generally results in lower crime rates, the effect on violent crime is less clear. ABC13 also heard from the Mealer campaign who said they were not surprised at parts of the new poll: "As early voting gets underway, the new University of Houston - Hobby School of Public Affairs poll is solid confirmation that residents want new leadership in Harris County. George touted the countys economic standing, his response during the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as the countys diversity as reasons for his reelection. She assumed office on January 1, 2019. We will make the jail safe for both jail staff and inmates. Abortion has really come to the forefront of peoples minds right now, Hidalgo said. . Elections. 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. 2005-2022 Community Impact Newspaper Co. All rights reserved. The poll found the most significant issues for all voters are crime and public safety followed by government corruption and voting rights. Find a complete list of them here. [The county] signed the ODonnell Consent Decree that created a cashless bail system for misdemeanors. The Texas Constitution vests broad judicial and administrative powers in the position of county judge, who presides over a five-member Commissioners Court, which has budgetary and administrative authority over county government operations. The next year saw homicides grow at a slower pace about 12% to 633 homicides. 1. Mealer sent a social media post conceding the race on Wednesday . License our industry-leading legal content to extend your thought leadership and build your brand. "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. Terri Schultz. 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. Get highlights, trending news, and behind-the-scenes insights from Houston Public Media delivered to your inbox each week. Site Map, Advertise| 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. It is a complex issue with no easy solution, but as we get closer to going to the polls, there is no doubt, based on recent surveys and polling, that crime and public safety will be a factor in how Harris County voters cast their ballots. Olsen was judge of the same court for several four-year terms, but was defeated by Cox in 2018. Before I was elected, county government flew under the radar, dodged tough decisions and operated reactively, not proactively. I'm interested in running for Harris County Judge, Harris County Board of Elections, 1001 Preston, Houston, Texas, 77002, US. For more of The Ben Domenech Podcast: https://bit.ly/3SoYZkE. How will you work with your colleagues on the court to get things done? Precinct 7 May Walker. 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. Justice delayed is justice denied. HARRIS COUNTY, Texas (KTRK) -- Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo's political future is on the line for 2022. FOX News Channel (FNC) is a 24-hour all-encompassing news service delivering breaking news as well as political and business news. 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. Lina - you raised your hand and said you wanted to lead this County, stop talking to your national donors and get up on stage with me and defend your policies to the voters of Harris County., RELATED: Public safety a top priority in race for Harris County judge. The number of homicides in Harris County grew to 566 in 2020 a 42% increase from the previous year, before COVID-19 hit. Sep. 22, 2021 Updated: Sep. 23, 2021 9:19 a.m. 2 Humble ISD School Board president Martina Lemond Dixon announced Wednesday she is running for Harris County Judge as a Republican candidate. "It's not a particularly difficult thing. The race figured to be tight as Mealer, the Army veteran and West Point graduate who went to Harvard Law School, ran hard as the Republican challenger against Hidalgo to fight crime and put more resources into law enforcement in the county. 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. Don't miss the crucial news and insights you need to make informed legal decisions. Keeping Harris County safe: from natural disasters, from crime, and from any other threat to our health and well-being. Harris County courthouse. Now, Hidalgo is running on her record, particularly her response to multiple disasters, including the COVID-19 pandemic during which she built a national profile and became one of the states most recognizable Democrats. I ran because this is the best position to impact public safety.. To tackle this unprecedented rise in crime there is a funding element and a legal element. 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. Your subscription will be migrated over. Box 924523 Houston, TX 77292-4523 (713) 227-2404 The county's chief administrator talks about her future and issues facing the county with Houston Matters . Someone running on lets purge the rolls and 'I dont believe Trump lost.' Your Real Estate Legal and Brokerage Expert. 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. Updated Before, flood projects too often left very impacted but less wealthy communities behind. Terms of Service. Texas Democrats Thrash Republicans in 2022 Midterm Election, Law.com Editors and Analysts Offer Top Trends to Watch for 2023. She won in the general election on November 8, 2022. Jones says one reason for Mealer's surge is the top issue. Hidalgo and her fellow Democrats have accused the Republicans of defunding law enforcement by blocking a proposed $123 million increase in public safety spending. ". HARRIS COUNTY, Texas The race for Harris County Judge is one of the most closely watched races this cycle. Join Texas Lawyer now! "There are some democrats out there that are going to vote for Beto O'Rourke but they're still uncertain who they're going to vote for in the county judge race, and Hidalgo needs those votes if she's going to win," Jones explained. Tags chemical disaster Deer Park East Palestine train derailment Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo hazardous waste Texas Molecular. Thats why I think there is this feeling that This is it.. Boutique law firm specializing in sophisticated real estate litigation &representation of commercial and residential tenants seeks one ( CASH KRUGLER & FREDERICKS LLC is Celebrating Our 20th Anniversary & Newest Partners! In a second term, were going to continue making investments in making the system more efficient at every stage. Mealer raised more than $4.9 million from July 1 to Sept. 29, according to her latest campaign finance report dwarfing the $301,000 that Emmett raised in a similar time frame during his unsuccessful 2018 reelection campaign. The California-based Harris/Thaler Law Corporation has evidence that connects Hobbs, Secretary of State Adrian Fontes, Runbeck Election Services, and a disturbing number of Hidalgo has criticized that approach as short-sighted. 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. 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