Before coming to the Chronicle, Jen spent three years covering City Hall for Houston's NPR station. Fifteen candidates are vying for the position of Harris County judge in the upcoming March primaries, including nine Republicans and six Democrats. (Community Impact Newspaper file photo) Editor's note: This article has been updated to include responses submitted by Alexandra del Moral Mealer. Harris County faces many challenges. However, I believe all resources available should be accessed and exhausted before that finality. Biographical statement: Sharon Burney, a Democrat, is running for reelection. For the latest and best from Chron, sign up for our daily newsletter here. 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Its fair and just. Our Justice of the Peace courts can serve as a resource for community members dealing with evictions. Lunceford's opponent, Democrat Tamika Craft, won the election by 0.26 percent of the vote. The Harris County Republican Party does not endorse any candidate in contested primary elections. The Harris County Republican Party may endorse candidates in contested non-partisan elections and general elections. Taylor said. The current 3-2 Democratic majority could switch to a Republican-led court depending on the winners of the races for county judge and two commissioner seats. Its objective is voting out Democratic judges, though its impact likely has extended to the county judge race, in which Republican Alexandra del Moral Mealer is challenging Democratic incumbent Lina Hidalgo. What is the role of the JP in trying to improve the justice system? County races, typically low-profile affairs, are seeing major funding boosts this year, notably from a strong stream of Republican and conservative political action committee funding, including hundreds of thousands of in-kind donations and ad support in the last month for Jack Morman's bid to unseat Precinct 2 Commissioner Adrian Garcia. Among those filing challenges are Harris County Republican candidate Alex Mealer. This will allow more dockets for evictions and small claims. You can vote early by-mail for the upcoming local election if you are registered to vote and meet one of the following criteria: Resolutions passed by Executive Committee. You must be at least 17 years and ten months of age on the date your application is submitted. So, at first glance, this proposal does not seem serious. Where we Stand; Our Leadership; Precinct Chairs; Our Republican Organizations; Our Elected Officials; Public safety, good roads, quality of life enhancements like parks and programs for seniors, economic development, public health. To fund his proposal, Cagle would have slashed funding for the public defenders office by 68 percent, Community Services by 53 percent, Public Health by 47 percent, the engineering department by 28 percent and the county library system by 25 percent, among other cuts, according to an analysis by the county budget office. "I'm disappointed to see another losing candidate challenging the results of their election. 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Joaquin Castro diagnosed with cancer, undergoes surgery, Texas House Speaker appoints committee for gun legislation, Santa Fe families still denied video, records from 2018 shooting, Hill Country Republican seeks to ban voting on college campuses, Three misleading statements in Gov. What is the role of the JP in trying to improve the justice system? 4.; Mark Goldberg, former candidate for Harris County Criminal Court at Law No. I believe I bring a unique skill set to this court. "But the reality is, to campaign and to win, more and more I think both parties are having to rely upon larger donors, PACs as sources of funds to be able to help win their election.". I was born to a single Mexican-American Mom who is now a family court judge herself. I graduated with my JD from South Texas College of Law and received my LLM in International Law from University of Houston. News of the challenges came hours after Alexandra del Moral Mealer, Lina Hidalgo's Republican opponent for Harris County Judge, announced she plans to contest the outcome of the judge's race. Five Republican candidates are running for Harris County's Precinct 2 commissioner seat in the upcoming March primaries. On HoustonChronicle.com: Comptrollers defunding accusation could cost Harris County law enforcement millions in budget increases. Incumbent Judge Jeff Williams, a Republican, isnt running for reelection. They also decide eviction cases. Abbott's school voucher pitch. I am a blind/deaf person, I love to run marathons, and coach my boys in little league baseball. My goal is to transform this process into one that is more transparent. The Stop Houston Murders PAC largely is funded by other PACs, including $750,000 from the Judicial Fairness PAC and $150,000 from the Coalition Por For Texas PAC, along with other major donations including $500,000 from Don McGill of Katy LTD, $210,000 from Richard Weekley and $250,000 each from OTA Holdings and Texas Transeastern. Its not a real attempt at governing a community through the challenges that were currently facing., Cagle contended during the press conference that eliminating all of the new bureaucracy added since Republicans lost their court majority would produce enough savings to fund the new proposed law enforcement officers without having to raise taxes on the public.. She contended the cost could be covered, at least in part, by cutting administrative staff, though she did not reveal specific plans or commit to any cuts to core services. The mailing address is: Isabel Longoria, Elections Administrator, P.O. What is the role of the JP in trying to improve the justice system? Biographical statement: No Republican Party candidates filed to run. No Republican Party candidates filed to run. PAY TO PLAY: Harris County commissioners hide where most of their campaign cash comes from. FACT-CHECK: Analyzing claims from Hidalgo, Mealer campaign ads in Harris County judge race, "Crime has risen in this country coming off of a once-in-a-lifetime pandemic. As a lower level court my role as a JP will be one of compassion, empathy, education, and to bring about a more in touch approach with the demographic of precinct 1. It is is not in the best interest of our community to just evict a tenant without trying to help them as best as we can legally do so during the worst pandemic of our lifetime. Why or why not? Biographical statement: Brian Staley, former candidate for Harris County Civil County Court at Law No. He has also reported on local politics for both papers. Harris County Republican Party Chair Cindy Siegel indicated there could be more election contests to come. **Please note** If you are already signed up for the newsletter, you do not need to sign up again. Vega: My top three priorities include law enforcement, flooding and bail reform. Why are you running? Five Republican candidates are running for Harris County's Precinct 2 commissioner seat in the upcoming March primaries. WebHarris County: Ben Saldana: Harris County Department of Education, Place 2: District: Name: Email: Website: Harris County: Danielle Dick: County Commissioner Precinct We must keep all the promises made to residents during the historic flood control bond issue. I am a resilient and passionate individual who will fight for community safety but at the same time ensuring equality and fairness for all who come before my court. Box 3527, Houston TX 77253-3527; or. My office will be involved in the case every step of the way to ensure peoples votes are protected.". Jasper Scherer covers Texas politics and government for the Houston Chronicle and San Antonio Express-News. GOP candidate for Harris County Judge Alexandra del Moral Mealer at her watch party, held at the Mutiny Wine Room Tuesday, May 24, 2022 in Houston, TX. During the pandemic, JP courts have implemented a number of emergency procedures that changed the eviction process, like access to virtual hearings via Zoom/phone, allowing legal aid attorneys to provide assistance to tenants during court proceedings, and limiting the size of eviction dockets. A dozen losing Republican candidates in Harris County have filed election contests to void the results of their races in the November 2022 election, according to the Harris County attorneys office. Why are you running? We've had many trials and errors but wasteful spending of over $60 million on a makeshift hospital is mismanagement of taxpayers' money.D. Jen Rice is a reporter for the Houston Chronicle covering Harris County government. "This case will focus on the details of every aspect of the November 8 election in Harris County. GOP commissioner candidate Jack Morman, from left, Alexandra del Moral Mealer, the Republican nominee for Harris County judge, and Commissioner Jack Cagle, at the press conference at the Harris County Deputies Organization in Houston. I was inspired to run again because we again need a conservative majority on commissioners court. The use of video conferencing is long overdue. Out of Harris County during the early voting period and on Election Day; 65 years of age or older on Election Day; or confined in jail, but eligible to vote. Incumbent Judge George Risner, a Democrat, isnt running for reelection. Below are the responses we received from candidates who chose to participate in the survey. Why are you running? Would you continue to implement any of the emergency measures after the pandemic? Cagle and Republican Jack Morman, a former Precinct 2 commissioner who is aiming to win his seat back from Democratic incumbent Adrian Garcia in November, joined Mealer at the press conference Wednesday in support of the plan to hire 1,000 new officers. Much of Mealer's funding has come from a handful of Houston-based donors, including $400,000 each from Weekley and Alan Hassenflu, CEO of Fidelis Realty Partners and a board member of Weekleys Texans for Lawsuit Reform group. The day before Harris County Commissioners Court was set to certify the results of the November election, the Texas Attorney General's Office filed a last-minute petition to throw out 2,000 provisional ballots cast during an extended hour of voting on Election Day. (Community Impact Newspaper staff). The second application must be received by the Harris County Elections Administrator within 10 days of the notice date. However, the county has become overly politicized and has become a political tool for incumbents.How would you work to prevent future flooding in the district or minimize its effects?J. The county otherwise is hamstrung, they argue, by state law that caps how much additional revenue local governments can collect each year. It then raised $2.4 million in October, primarily from Weekley's Texans for Lawsuit Reform PAC, Chevron, ConocoPhillips Co.and Restoration PAC, an Illinois-based super PAC with ties to election denial candidates. Vega: County government or elected officials are to be servants to the county. "I want to send a message to the Harris County elections administrator," Taylor said. He was previously a staff writer with the Dallas Observer and has written for Chicago's South Side Weekly and the Chicago Reader. In this case, Cross said, the GOP plan is likely aimed at turning out as many conservative voters as possible. My name is Ron Campana, and I am running for Justice of the Peace Precinct 1, Place 2. Laryssa Korduba, a Republican, is running for reelection. During the pandemic, JP courts have implemented a number of emergency procedures that changed the eviction process, like access to virtual hearings via Zoom/phone, allowing legal aid attorneys to provide assistance to tenants during court proceedings, and limiting the size of eviction dockets. During the pandemic, JP courts have implemented a number of emergency procedures that changed the eviction process, like access to virtual hearings via Zoom/phone, allowing legal aid attorneys to provide assistance to tenants during court proceedings, and limiting the size of eviction dockets. Menefee blasted the candidates in the Friday release, stating that, this is a shameful attempt by a group of losing candidates who couldnt win the hearts and minds of Harris County voters and are now throwing nonsensical legal theories at the wall to see what sticks. GOP commissioner candidate Jack Morman speaking at the press conference at the Harris County Deputies Organization in Houston. There are still many roads that have been left unattended and still need major work.D. Burney is the only Democratic Party candidate in the race. 12; Brian Staley, former candidate for Harris County Civil County Court at Law No. I believe that JP Judges should ensure that tenants have all available resources at their disposal that can aid in paying their rent during a pandemic. Who won and who lost in the 2022 midterm elections across Houston and rest of Texas? Denise F. Graves is the only Republican Party candidate in the race. Democrats hold a 3-2 edge on the court. Your subscription will be migrated over. Why or why not? I understand how the court works and how we can make it better. Personally, as someone who has a couple of disabilities I would hope to have these normal accommodation options at all times. Abbott's school voucher pitch. I believe the law must be adhere to. Below. The campaign then raised an eye-popping $811,000 in October, according to Morman's latest report. Manlove: The role of county government is primarily crime, infrastructure and economic development. Manlove: I believe incarceration is a deterrent to crime. The Justice of the Peace Court can be the first and serve as the final experience for citizens within the justice system. As Precinct 2 commissioner, investing and maintaining parks will be a top priority as well as fighting to make essential road and bridge projects and improvements happen.J. I am a public servant from the Eastex Jensen area who is a product of HISD schools, an honors graduate of the University of Texas at Austin and South Texas College of Law. What is the role of the JP in trying to improve the justice system? Having someone in this position that understands the community is key to ensuring that everyone feels comfortable participating in our legal system. Relevant experience matters. Republican judicial candidate Erin Lunceford filed a petition seeking a new election in Harris County's 189th judicial district court race after losing by 2,743 votes. Much like the rest of the country, the Harris County political climate has grown increasingly divisive, with Republican and Democratic campaigns hoping to sink their opponents on emotionally charged themes that are playing out nationally, including crime and reproductive rights. Jason: When vehicles are broken into my residents [in] Precinct 2 should contact the police then my office and we will see these people are hunted down, arrested and jailed!J. Yes. Why are you running? Do you believe tenants should be evicted for nonpayment of rent during a pandemic? GOP PACs also have contributed to Mealer's campaign directly, including a $65,000 in-kind contribution from the Texas Latino Conservatives PAC, $68,000 from the Coalition Por For Texas PAC and a $35,000 in-kind contribution from the Protect and Serve Texas PAC. No Democratic Party candidates filed to run. Solving small claims cases through creative ideas and compromise. 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Joaquin Castro diagnosed with cancer, undergoes surgery, Texas House Speaker appoints committee for gun legislation, Santa Fe families still denied video, records from 2018 shooting, Hill Country Republican seeks to ban voting on college campuses, Three misleading statements in Gov. Andy Taylor, general counsel for the Harris County GOP, is representing Lunceford. I believe the pandemic created a situation that no one was expecting and as a result extenuating circumstances existed that should be taken into consideration before allowing an eviction. This is the court that most people use and thus an important part of their role is to make sure people feel that the justice system is made for them. ", TEXAS VOTER GUIDE: Get info on the races, candidates and more in the 2022 midterms. I served our country in the United States Army with experiences that would benefit our county. "For 12 years now, there's just been no real limitations on campaign donations," she said. Republicans running for Harris County Commissioners Court said Wednesday they would ramp up law enforcement spending and hire 1,000 additional officers if they win a majority in November, but it was not immediately clear how much the plan would cost or how it would be funded. Reporter for the latest and best from Chron, sign up again nonpayment of rent a..., including nine Republicans and six Democrats Democrat, isnt running for.. Signed up for the Houston Chronicle and San Antonio Express-News, sign up.! Still many roads that have been left unattended and still need major work.D for reelection County Law millions. Rest of Texas at the press conference at the press conference at the press conference at the Harris County candidate! Cost Harris County Criminal Court at Law No case will focus on the date your is... Criminal Court at Law No case every step of the JP in trying to improve the system! And bail reform by 0.26 percent of the way to ensure peoples are... 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