Weekley and Hassenflu each wrote another $100,000 check, and more than two-thirds of the donations were large in-kind contributions from PACs and other conservative groups primarily paying for campaign ads: $228,000 from the Houston Region Business Coalition, $138,000 from the "C" Club of Houston, $38,000 from the Protect and Serve Texas PAC and $25,000 from the Texas Latino Conservatives PAC. We were able to make this happen despite the criminal justice system failing our community by allowing criminals to be released. He joined the Hearst Austin bureau in 2021 after nearly three years as a City Hall reporter for the Chronicle and a prior stint covering Bexar County for the Express-News. I actually live down the street from the court and I want to devote myself more to the community in an elected and judicial role. Through June, the county had reported 307 homicides this year, down slightly from the same point last year but up significantly from the first half of 2019. Meet the Republican Candidates September 29, 2022 The trend began around the start of the COVID pandemic, with Harris County including Houston and the other incorporated cities seeing a 42 percent jump in murders in 2020, according to the Department of Public Safetys index crimes report, which collects data from local law enforcement. CAMPAIGN FINANCE IN TEXAS: Greg Abbott, Beto ORourke shatter records in governors race. To answer this question would be a violation of the Judicial Canons. Do you believe tenants should be evicted for nonpayment of rent during a pandemic? Your application must be submitted 30 days before the election date for you to be eligible to vote in that election. They also decide eviction cases. During that period, Hidalgo has raised $2.4 million and spent nearly $3.6 million. Most notably, I am running to have working class people leave my courtroom better than when they left. The Democratic Party candidates are Ron Campana, Steve Duble, Victor Lombrana, Sonia Lopez, Jonathan JP Preston and Chris Watson. Manlove: I believe incarceration is a deterrent to crime. The legal process should not be cryptic we should encourage people to have access to legal advice and mediation. The. The lawsuits contesting the 2022 election results in Harris County are: Alexandra del Moral Mealer (R) v. Lina Hidalgo* (D) for Harris County Judge Nile ELECTION MAP: See if your Harris County neighborhood voted for Greg Abbott or Beto O'Rourke in the 2022 midterms. In a closely watched election between Democrat DaSean Jones and Republican Tami Pierce for the 180th state district court, Pierce led Jones by more than 1,200 votes the morning after the election, but the final count including absentee and provisional ballots flipped the race in Jones' favor. What is the role of the JP in trying to improve the justice system? Below the Waterlines: Houston After Hurricane Harvey, Houston-Area Judges Are Evicting Renters Who Could Be Protected Under Federal Order, After secret negotiations, Houston City Council will vote on a new contract with the police union. I raised my family in Precinct 1, and I have lived in the precinct for more than 30 years. With three out of five seats on Commissioners Court in competitive races Nov. 8, the balance of the court is up for grabs. These emergency procedures should have been available before the pandemic and should continue to be available to ensure a streamlined process where all parties can benefit. Vega: I am inspired to run for this office because I see the need for changes that need to happen. 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. I will keep measures put in place during the pandemic. Mouton: As the mayor of Deer Park, I quickly realized flood mitigation is a moving target that requires continuous focus and investments. "This case will focus on the details of every aspect of the November 8 election in Harris County. The petition is filed in Harris County, but the case will be heard by a judge from outside the county, according to Menefee's office. In-kind contributions are donations of services such as media advertising or mail materials rather than monetary donations. "He can make back his investment in Alex Mealer by building one subdivision under the old Republican flood plan and flood control requirements," Evbagharu said. I served our country in the United States Army with experiences that would benefit our county. The Justice of the Peace should follow the state and federal law regarding evictions. I will limit the number of persons and hearings by appropriate scheduling to avoid unnecessary close contact. "It's an example of how important a very small group of people are to our political process," said Rene Cross, senior director of the Hobby School of Public Affairs at the University of Houston. The Justice of the Peace has the authority to determine if the claimed violation is material and if the violation should be denied. (Community Impact Newspaper staff). Heres why candidates say theyre running to serve as the judges who preside over evictions, truancy cases and small civil disputes. I will listen to advocates and the people most affected by the issues to achieve the most equitable outcomes possible. How can JPs play a role in helping to reduce the number of nonpayment of rent evictions in their precinct? Mouton: Everyone deserves a safe place to live. Why are you running? Alexandra del Moral Mealer, the Republican nominee challenging Hidalgo, estimated the addition of 1,000 new law enforcement officers, at a cost of about $100,000 each in salary and benefits, would amount to roughly 5 percent of Harris Countys annual budget. Why are you running? Meeting with the community landlords and ensuring theyre properly informing their tenants before they arrive at eviction processes. An immediate assessment of needs must be done to see what damage the incumbent Democrat has done. 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. Harris County is divided into eight justice of the peace precincts, with two elected judges in each precinct. Vega: My top three priorities include law enforcement, flooding and bail reform. I want to continue to serve this community by implementing creative ideas. We understand that," Evbagharu said. JPs should also be looking at the living conditions of these rentals to make sure everything is up to code before making a ruling. There is no greater calling than to be of service to others. Houston Matters is on the air now! At the time, Hidalgo said the two GOP budget plans read like a horror story.. Morman: Restore the money defunded to law enforcement agencies; fully back law enforcement; unclog the courts; and push for sensible bond practices that keep families safe.R. Morman's mid-October fundraising report in 2018 showed $68,260 in contributions, including $4,900 of in-kind political contributions. It could galvanize their base to oppose the mobilization that we may see among the Democrats with some other high-ranking issues, such as abortion, she said. Why are you running? Voter Registration Applications may be obtained by: Sending your request by mail. Monday, April 19 Saturday, April 24: 7 AM 7 PM. Would you continue to implement any of the emergency measures after the pandemic? Abbott's school voucher pitch. Justice Courts should be people centered and no one should feel that the legal system is working against them. The petition, which names Lunceford as the contestant and Craft as contestee, claims numerous violations of the Texas Election Code, including a failure to provide a sufficient amount of ballot paper to 25 polling locations. Mouton: Quality of life is a top priority as mayor in Deer Park. 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.. Burney is the only Democratic Party candidate in the race. Harris County officials released a report on Dec. 30 detailing their investigation into a slew of issues at polling places ranging from late openings to paper ballot shortages. 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. It is also the court where most parties are attending without the help of lawyer. Dolores is on the founding team of Impact Hub Houston, a locally rooted, globally connected nonprofit organization working to make Houston a role model for how the world solves its most pressing issues. Morman: Making sure small businesses and members of public get accurate information and support.R. Homicides in Harris County rose again last year, from 566 to 632. I think we can have a more efficient process that will help to speed up case processing times. Still, he acknowledged crime remains a serious issue for Harris County voters. Yes, I will continue to abide by all orders of the Texas Supreme Court and the CCA. We must also secure state and federal funding where available, partner with other governments and the private sector and schedule projects based on real need and not politics.R. These procedures should have been implemented long before the pandemic because everyone deserves a more convenient courtroom experience and access to equitable legal representation. We've got to address education. I believe judges should follow the law and abide by all emergency orders issued by the Governor. I also have a clean record with the State Bar of Texas and with the Judicial Commission. 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. I am active in progressive politics, I've worked extensively on voter protection, and I've brought a strong social and racial justice lens to my programming work with Harris County Democratic Lawyers. 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