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. Having someone in this position that understands the community is key to ensuring that everyone feels comfortable participating in our legal system. 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. Why or why not? 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. Solving small claims cases through creative ideas and compromise. Crime and murder rates are tragically high and so is wasteful spending. Do you believe tenants should be evicted for nonpayment of rent during a pandemic? Republican judicial candidate Erin Lunceford filed a petition Wednesday seeking a new election in Harris County's 189th judicial district court race after losing by 2,743 votes out of more than 1 million ballots cast. 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 graduated from the University of Houston with a BBA. Would you continue to implement any of the emergency measures after the pandemic? be 18 years old (you may register at 17 years and 10 months of age); not be a convicted felon (unless your sentence is completed, including any probation or parole); and. Resources like these are made possible by the generosity of our community of donors, foundations, and corporate partners. 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. Biographical statement: - Houston suspends sister city ties with Russian cities on the one-year anniversary of the war in Ukraine, - Mayor Turner's office accuses Pappas of 'smear campaign' on Hobby deal, says city followed its rules, - Houston leaders divided on support for controversial affordable housing projects, - Five years after Santa Fe massacre, relatives still denied records of loved ones' last moments, - Kingwood operators released sewage in creek that feeds into Houston's drinking water, HPD alleges. 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. Putting flood mitigation plans in place will be a top priority as Precinct 2 commissioner so that we can be prepared for all outcomes.J. Dont spend more money than we take in and reduce taxes.J. Would you continue to implement any of the emergency measures after the pandemic? No Republican Party candidates filed to run. Changes I would implement include having a "zoom room" for legal aid and law clinic representatives to meet virtually with those in need. After Lina Hidalgo's challenger announced she was contesting results, several others followed suit. 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. 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. For the latest and best from Chron, sign up for our daily newsletter here. No Republican Party candidates filed to run. Jasper Scherer covers Texas politics and government for the Houston Chronicle and San Antonio Express-News. I want to set an example for my two young sons. ", TEXAS VOTER GUIDE: Get info on the races, candidates and more in the 2022 midterms. Do you believe tenants should be evicted for nonpayment of rent during a pandemic? The campaign then raised an eye-popping $811,000 in October, according to Morman's latest report. A native of San Francisco, he graduated from Northwestern University in 2017 with degrees in journalism and political science, and has interned for the Tampa Bay Times, Washington Post and Fortune magazine. The use of video conferencing is long overdue. This means coordinating with the County and nonprofits to maximize resources for rental assistance and eviction diversion programs that create win-win scenarios for landlords, tenants, and the community as a whole. 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. Manlove: The current direction of our local community is frightening, I have seen communism first hand in Cuba and Venezuela and how devastating it can be. Five Republican candidates are running for Harris County's Precinct 2 commissioner seat in the upcoming March primaries. Meet the Republican Candidates - Harris County Republican Party All Events This event has passed. This year, voters are electing the place 2 judges in each precinct. What is the role of the JP in trying to improve the justice system? I believe JPs can encourage mediated settlements that will allow for other opportunities to come about between landlord and tenant. "Several of them are considering election contests.". The county cannot afford to be wasteful with the budget and during COVID-19 response. Commissioner Jack Cagle speaking at the press conference at the Harris County Deputies Organization in Houston. The Texas Supreme Court has declined to disqualify those votes. "For 12 years now, there's just been no real limitations on campaign donations," she said. 1 most stressful city for workers in U.S.Change | Crosby ISD adopts 4-day school week, a first in Harris County. He argued that scrapping the elections administrator position simply would shift the cost to another department, as the county still would be required to hold elections. Justice of the Peace courts have more of an impact on peoples every day lives than most know. 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. Burney is the only Democratic Party candidate in the race. Biographical statement: Overseeing the watersheds and making sure they are functioning properly; working with engineers while using the strategies to allow us to perform better in bad weather. CAMPAIGN FINANCE IN TEXAS: Greg Abbott, Beto ORourke shatter records in governors race. 4.; Mark Goldberg, former candidate for Harris County Criminal Court at Law No. See if your Harris County neighborhood voted for Greg Abbott or Beto O'Rourke in the 2022 midterms, Houston suspends sister city ties with Russian cities on the one-year anniversary of the war in Ukraine, Mayor Turner's office accuses Pappas of 'smear campaign' on Hobby deal, says city followed its rules, Houston leaders divided on support for controversial affordable housing projects, Five years after Santa Fe massacre, relatives still denied records of loved ones' last moments, Kingwood operators released sewage in creek that feeds into Houston's drinking water, HPD alleges, Rep. 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. I believe that JP court justices should play a part in helping to distribute information to the public on the process. 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 At least half of Morman's nearly tenfold increase in cash contributions during that period came from three donors who contributed $100,000 apiece: Richard Weekley, Alan Hassenflu and David Modesett. Biographical statement: Dolores Lozano is a community organizer and advocate. More than one-third of her October fundraising total came from a $75,000 donation from Commissioner Garcia and a $100,000 loan from Precinct 1 Commissioner Rodney Ellis. What is the role of the JP in trying to improve the justice system? Jason: The government is to promote small business and dont infringe on Texans' God-given rights! Rene Cross, senior director of the Hobby School of Public Affairs at the University of Houston, said voters generally focus more on a candidates campaign promises than the details that could stymie those promises, such as funding challenges or police recruitment shortages. Yes, I will continue to abide by all orders of the Texas Supreme Court and the CCA. Taylor accused Harris County Elections Administrator Cliff Tatum, who took over the office starting in August, of intentionally causing ballot paper shortages in Republican-leaning neighborhoods. Most notably, I am running to have working class people leave my courtroom better than when they left. HARRIS COUNTY, Texas The race for Texas Attorney General was already heated. WebHarris County: Ben Saldana: Harris County Department of Education, Place 2: District: Name: Email: Website: Harris County: Danielle Dick: County Commissioner Precinct No, there are currently many resources now in place for both landlords and tenants alike before they arrive at the eviction process stage. However, most of the resources are being used to underwrite Houston and its social programs. I have practiced in JP Courts handling small claims matters as well as landlord tenant matters. Where we Stand; Our Leadership; Precinct Chairs; Our Republican Organizations; Our Elected Officials; Nowhere are the basic tenets of democracy more challenged than in the Justice Courts. 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. "The county will now have to spend substantial resources handling these contests, time that could instead be spent serving the people of Harris County, he added. "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. 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. "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.". 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 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. No one wants to be continuously stuck in traffic or hitting the same pot hole day in and day out. I believe the law must be adhere to. JPs have the ability to proactively provide legal aid information to tenants as well as coming to agreements on potential payment plans. I will listen to advocates and the people most affected by the issues to achieve the most equitable outcomes possible. ELECTION ROUNDUP: Who won and who lost in the 2022 midterm elections across Houston and rest of Texas? When I am not practicing law I am spending time with my family. They should be community-centered courts that are accessible and welcoming. Especially now that the limit for civil cases has been raised to 20,000. 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. 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. To answer this question would be a violation of the Judicial Canons. Box 3527, Houston TX 77253-3527; or. According to the Secretary of States office, to be eligible to register to vote in Texas, you must: 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. Jason: In March 2020 the radio told me if I went to church, I would be arrested. Here's what's in it, After negotiations away from the public eye, Houston has a new contract with the police union, Houston snubbed in Houston-Galveston Area Council's flood mitigation funding plan, Meet the primary candidates running for Harris County's justice of the peace seats. 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. Known as JPs, these are the judges who decide matters like misdemeanors, small civil disputes and truancy cases. What needs do you see for parks and roads in Precinct 2 and what can be done to improve them?J. Incumbent Judge Sharon Burney, a Democrat, is running for reelection. As a municipal court judge for over 22 years I have proven methods to expedite dockets. Monday is the first day of early voting in the Texas March 1 primary election. Vega: Making sure public safety/health is secure and fully operational is extremely vital to our citizens and our economy. Voter Registration Applications may be obtained by: Sending your request by mail. "I'm disappointed to see another losing candidate challenging the results of their election. I understand how the court works and how we can make it better. Its fair and just. Judge Lunceford previously served on the bench, so I trust she understands the seriousness of asking a court to disregard the votes of over a million residents across Harris County," Menefee said. Your subscription will be migrated over. The role of the JP is to be a community leader that understands the needs of the people and use their discretion for maximum community benefit. I will continue to use whatever measures that are available to keep dockets moving. 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. How can JPs play a role in helping to reduce the number of nonpayment of rent evictions in their precinct? 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 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. Do you believe tenants should be evicted for nonpayment of rent during a pandemic? Nine-term incumbent U.S. Rep. Henry Cuellar, D-Laredo, will compete in a runoff against progressive attorney Jessica Cisneros. $16.88 + $4.99 shipping. If elected I'll be the first gay JP in Harris County. This will allow more dockets for evictions and small claims. A yard sign in Houston supporting the Stop Houston Murders PAC photographed on Nov. 3, 2022. Harris County Democratic officials slammed Mealer on Friday for announcing a This is a carousel. Vega: One thing that COVID[-19] has done for families here in Precinct 2 is push us to go outside. Homicides in Harris County rose again last year, from 566 to 632. Biographical statement: Morman's mid-October fundraising report in 2018 showed $68,260 in contributions, including $4,900 of in-kind political contributions. Before coming to the Chronicle, Jen spent three years covering City Hall for Houston's NPR station. 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. There are many parks within the precinct that have been neglected for many years. The legal process should not be cryptic we should encourage people to have access to legal advice and mediation. 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. Why or why not? I ran for office in Deer Park for my family and for my community. 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. I am running for Harris County Justice of the Peace, Precinct 1, Place 2, because I want to usher in the new era into this JP court. Biographical statement: Yes. Its now being reported AZ Governor Katie Hobbs as well as several Maricopa County Supervisors may have accepted bribes from the Sinaloa cartel in the form of phony mortgages or deeds of trust. My experience as a community advocate and attorney have prepared me to serve our community in this capacity. Follow him on Twitter @jishnews for news updates. Precinct 1 and the community deserve the most experienced and knowledgeable person to serve as their Justice of the Peace. 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. 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. State and county Republican officials have made several attempts to cast doubt on the results of the November elections in Harris County. Incumbent Judge Jeff Williams, a Republican, isnt running for reelection. Denise F. Graves is the only Republican Party candidate in the race. I will limit the number of persons and hearings by appropriate scheduling to avoid unnecessary close contact. 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. When I returned home, I complained to God and the Holy Spirit challenged me to run for office to turn this government back to God.J. On the Democratic side, the contributions for Cagle's challenger Lesley Briones, are not all coming from average residents, either. Manlove: The role of county government is primarily crime, infrastructure and economic development. Jason: The flooding issue, I will study after being elected and implement my decisions.J. I want to use the skills I learned professionally to keep Harris County safe and the community thriving. That is about $97 million more than what those offices received in the countys most recent annual budget, though short of what Sheriff Ed Gonzalez, a Democrat, and other public safety leaders sought. To find out which precinct election youll be voting in, you can search your address using this Harris County map. What is the role of the JP in trying to improve the justice system? Absolutely, technology has improved and our justice system needs to adapt. 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 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. Lucia Bates, a Democrat, is running for reelection. I'll create a model court that leads with innovative solutions to the eviction crisis. Previously, he worked as a digital producer for a television station in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, and studied at Syracuse University's Newhouse School. 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