The legal process should not be cryptic we should encourage people to have access to legal advice and mediation. Manlove: The role of county government is primarily crime, infrastructure and economic development. Biographical statement: There are still many roads that have been left unattended and still need major work.D. Do you believe tenants should be evicted for nonpayment of rent during a pandemic? 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 am a small business co-founder on the East Side of Harris County and an elected School Board Trustee. I have practiced in JP Courts handling small claims matters as well as landlord tenant matters. Would you continue to implement any of the emergency measures after the pandemic? To answer this question would be a violation of the Judicial Canons. Get highlights, trending news, and behind-the-scenes insights from Houston Public Media delivered to your inbox each week. The largest source of that committee funding is the Stop Houston Murders PAC, which formed this year and has spent more than $2 million in this year's county elections. Last night, two Republican candidates who lost the November 2022 election in Harris Countyincluding Alexandra del Moral Mealer, former candidate for Harris County Judgeannounced they will challenge the results of I have witnessed firsthand the detrimental impacts of inequality in public services. Two Republican candidates Pete Flores and Raul Reyes are moving onto the runoff in Texas Senate District 24, as they hope to succeed Dawn Buckingham. Weekley, a Houston real estate developer and major donor to Mealer, also is behind another top contributor to the Stop Houston Murders PAC the Coalition Por For Texas PAC, which started last year with Weekley and three other contributors donating $250,000 apiece: Harlan Crow, Robert Rowling and Hilwood Development Co., all based in Dallas. In his spare time, Jishnu is a soccer fan and enjoys learning about wildlife and the environment. Menu. Yes, I will continue to abide by all orders of the Texas Supreme Court and the CCA. Manlove: The county governments core mission is to help the unincorporated areas of the county, which is nearly 50%. 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Morman: We must keep all the promises made to residents during the historic flood control bond issue. HARRIS COUNTY, Texas The race for Texas Attorney General was already heated. "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.". Ditta is the only Republican Party candidate in the race. How can JPs play a role in helping to reduce the number of nonpayment of rent evictions in their precinct? Korduba is the only Republican Party candidate in the race. This year, voters are electing the place 2 judges in each precinct. Below. I believe judges should follow the law and abide by all emergency orders issued by the Governor. Why are you running? Several Democratic and Republican candidates are gunning for the top position of the The mailing address is: Isabel Longoria, Elections Administrator, P.O. Dorris: Harris County Jail needs to be more efficiently funded and staffed. New jails may need to be built. More robust program to tackle and root out human trafficking. Ensure commissioners court cannot take away money from constables. Develop an interactive map to highlight where crime has occurred to help keep our residents informed. Why or why not? Why or why not? Homicides in Harris County rose again last year, from 566 to 632. The landscape of Harris County races is changing as GOP PACs throw more cash toward ads, candidates, Black trail riders head to Houston rodeo parade after grueling, joyful 6-day journey. 1 most stressful city for workers in U.S.Change | Crosby ISD adopts 4-day school week, a first in Harris County. No Democratic Party candidates filed to run. WebHarris County Republican Party | 8588 Katy Freeway, Suite 445 Houston, TX 77024 | (713) 838-7900 Business hours | 10 am - 4 pm Monday through Friday Not authorized by Commissioner Jack Cagle speaking at the press conference at the Harris County Deputies Organization in Houston. WebNikita Harmon Ryan Patrick David Mendoza Texas judicial district 230 Chris Morton Texas judicial district 232 Josh Hill (Texas) Texas judicial district 234 Lauren Reeder Texas judicial district 245 Angela Lancelin Texas judicial district 246 Angela Graves-Harrington Texas judicial district 247 Janice Berg Texas judicial district 248 Hilary Unger This court has been particularly affected. 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. How can JPs play a role in helping to reduce the number of nonpayment of rent evictions in their precinct? I would give law enforcement the tools and the budget in which they need to be able to do their job properly, while making sure the judges of Harris County perform their jobs to keep our streets and communities safe.D. They should be community-centered courts that are accessible and welcoming. Personally, as someone who has a couple of disabilities I would hope to have these normal accommodation options at all times. I reduced crime by 27% in Pasadena by building accountability and flexibility into the system. 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 Friday morning release from Harris County Attorney Christian Menefee's office named eight Harris County GOP candidates who lost their bids for office in November and filed paperwork to officially contest the outcomes of their elections. Monday is the first day of early voting in the Texas March 1 primary election. 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. Transparency is key in making sure evictions are handled in accordance with the law. Abbott's school voucher pitch. Why are you running? Do you believe tenants should be evicted for nonpayment of rent during a pandemic? Elections 2022 Judicial Local News Democrat Judge Disqualifies Harris County GOP Judicial Candidate, Texas Supreme Court Intervenes After an unusually speedy trial, a jury decided that because a candidates spouse had witnessed signatures while the candidate signed a related affidavit, some signatures were fraud. Holly 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. Laryssa Korduba, a Republican, is running for reelection. Why or why not? The Justice of the Peace should follow the state and federal law regarding evictions. Let the Houston Public Media newsroom help you start your day. I am running to bring a fresh new perspective with a wide range of personal and professional experiences. 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. Ive lived in Harris County for close to 35 years. At the time, Hidalgo said the two GOP budget plans read like a horror story.. Would you continue to implement any of the emergency measures after the pandemic? No Democratic Party candidates filed to run. The second application must be received by the Harris County Elections Administrator within 10 days of the notice date. 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. How can JPs play a role in helping to reduce the number of nonpayment of rent evictions in their precinct? Jason: The flooding issue, I will study after being elected and implement my decisions.J. 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. Call the Elections Administrator Office at (713) 755-6965, Email the Elections Administrator Office at. These procedures should have been implemented long before the pandemic because everyone deserves a more convenient courtroom experience and access to equitable legal representation. Burney is the only Democratic Party candidate in the race. No one wants to be continuously stuck in traffic or hitting the same pot hole day in and day out. In 2024, the place 1 judges will be up for election. No Republican Party candidates filed to run. 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'll create a model court that leads with innovative solutions to the eviction crisis. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate. | 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. Updated 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. 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. 4.; Mark Goldberg, former candidate for Harris County Criminal Court at Law No. Public safety, good roads, quality of life enhancements like parks and programs for seniors, economic development, public health. Houston Matters is on the air now! The county cannot afford to be wasteful with the budget and during COVID-19 response. Evictions are devastating to families and communities, so it's vital that everyone has full access to the protections of the law. Eviction petitions must be handled with transparency, compassion, and competence to uphold the law. We've got to address education. 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. There needs to be massive hiring initiatives at most of our local law enforcements in Harris County Precinct 2. Jason: Parks and roads, I need to research when elected and implement my decisions.J. If elected, Mealer said she would meet with the countys law enforcement leaders within 30 days of taking office to identify where officers are most needed. Follow him on Twitter @jishnews for news updates. 1. It is also the court where most parties are attending without the help of lawyer. Expose aid and resources to renters through churches and community organizations. It's all about control of the county.". I am a blind/deaf person, I love to run marathons, and coach my boys in little league baseball. An immediate assessment of needs must be done to see what damage the incumbent Democrat has done. How would you work to prevent future flooding in the district or minimize its effects? People living in these situations often feel as though public servants are working against them rather than for them. Parks and roads must be supported. I want to continue to serve this community by implementing creative ideas. I believe in building bridges, not walls, providing a hand up not a handout, and closing the gap between the public and the officials who serve them. 6; Matthew Dexter, former candidate for Harris County Criminal Court at Law No. Our community has felt the impact of rising eviction rates, a lack of access to social services, and a continuous struggle to close the school to prison pipeline. Ive worked in the legal, financial, and medical fields for the last 15 years. Why are you running? Siegel said larger donors are getting involved because they are concerned about crime and government transparency. Do you believe tenants should be evicted for nonpayment of rent during a pandemic? I graduated from the University of Houston with a BBA. Harris County Republican Party | 8588 Katy Freeway, Suite 445 Houston, TX 77024 | (713) 838-7900 Business hours | 10 am - 4 pm Monday through Friday Not Morman: Parks and roads must be supported. We understand that," Evbagharu said. The Democratic Party candidates are Lucia Bates, Ashleigh Roberson and Herbert Alexander Sanchez. Dolores has spent years organizing for quality education, gender equity, and equitable development throughout Harris County. Justice Courts should be people centered and no one should feel that the legal system is working against them. Before coming to the Chronicle, Jen spent three years covering City Hall for Houston's NPR station. After representing tenants facing retaliatory evictions in 2019 and 2020, I realized the need to rethink the role JP courts play. I will keep measures put in place during the pandemic. Her reporting has aired nationally on NPR's Morning Edition, All Things Considered and Here & Now. State and county Republican officials have made several attempts to cast doubt on the results of the November elections in Harris County. Mealer and other GOP candidates say even more robust public safety spending is needed amid a spike in homicides, which has swept Harris County and the nation as a whole. J. Manlove: Crime is a top priority, if we no longer feel safe in our community we are losing our personal freedom inch by inch. I am 36 years old born and raised here all my life. Should they require a moratorium of evictions the courts should follow. 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. Siegel's counterpart, Odus Evbagharu, chair of the Harris County Democratic Party, said a large real estate developer like Weekley could have a different motivation for contributing to county races. Jeffrey Hildebrand, CEO of the Houston oil company Hilcorp Energy, sent in a combined $500,000 with his wife, Melinda Hildebrand. The (county) administrators office accounts for maybe $3 million, and that wouldnt fund a fraction of this proposal that Ive seen, Garcia said. As the first point of contact in eviction cases, JPs have the best opportunity to refocus the process on avoiding evictions rather than just processing paperwork. I want to use the skills I learned professionally to keep Harris County safe and the community thriving. When I am not practicing law I am spending time with my family. "That's why you're seeing him make such a large investment in Stop Houston Murders PAC and in Mealer's race, and in Morman's too. The largest contributor to Stop Houston Murders, the Judicial Fairness PAC, started in 2020 to support GOP candidates for the Texas Supreme Court. Harris County Judge is on the ballot in the 2022 Texas Primary Election. I am the only candidate with judicial experience. Would you continue to implement any of the emergency measures after the pandemic? Would you continue to implement any of the emergency measures after the pandemic? 5; Chris Daniel, former candidate for Harris County District Clerk. Incumbent Judge Laryssa Korduba, a Republican, is running for reelection. Among the former candidates challenging election resultsare: The challenges follow a contentious race for Harris County Judge that saw GOP candidate Mealer losing to incumbent Democrat Lina Hidalgo despite posting record-breaking fundraising numbers just ahead of election day in November. I have 32 years' experience as an attorney on a wide variety of cases, including representing both individual tenants and landlords in JP courts. We've got to address health care. I am the most experienced person on the ballot. Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo, left, and Alexandra del Moral Mealer, a candidate for Harris County Judge, talk to members of the Houston Chronicle Editorial Board on Thursday, Sept. 29, 2022, at the Houston Chronicle offices in Houston. 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. We must keep all the promises made to residents during the historic flood control bond issue. JPs have the ability to proactively provide legal aid information to tenants as well as coming to agreements on potential payment plans. How can JPs play a role in helping to reduce the number of nonpayment of rent evictions in their precinct? Harris County Republican Party chair Cindy Siegel said the shift in funding for county races indicates that running campaigns has gotten more expensive and donors are stepping up. The Justice of the Peace Court can be the first and serve as the final experience for citizens within the justice system. Biographical statement: Absolutely, technology has improved and our justice system needs to adapt. Yes. Overall violent crime has stayed comparatively flat over the same period, rising nearly 4 percent from 2019 to 2021, before falling about 6 percent in the first half of this year, according to DPS data. Since July 1, Mealer has raised $8.6 million and spent $8.2 million, unprecedented numbers in an election for Harris County judge. What is the role of the JP in trying to improve the justice system? JPs are often the first point of contact for people who are struggling. 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. 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. Jones won by 449 votes out of more than 1 million ballots cast in the race. The LAST DAY to vote is Saturday, May 1, 2021 from 7 AM 7 PM. Fifteen candidates are vying for the position of Harris County judge in the upcoming March primaries, including nine Republicans and six Democrats. Harris County Republican Party Chair Cindy Siegel indicated there could be more election contests to come. Its $1.9 million fundraising haul between July and the end of September came from just six contributors, including $1 million from the private equity firm Trinity Equity Partners, $500,000 from Don McGill of Katy LTD, $300,000 from the Republican State Leadership Committee and $125,000 fromApache Corp. And these business owners I think have a vested interest because if you don't have that here in Harris County, businesses will not come here. 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. I understand how the court works and how we can make it better. 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. Taylor said. I am the son of two hard working people who taught me the value of hard work, service, and dedication. What is the role of the JP in trying to improve the justice system? They also decide eviction cases. 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