Five Republican candidates are running for Harris County's Precinct 2 commissioner seat in the upcoming March primaries. These measures have improved the accessibility of the court, and I am strongly in favor of not only continuing but also expanding them. On HoustonChronicle.com: Harris County approves $25M plan to house jail inmates at West Texas facility, The GOP plan comes as law enforcement agencies across the country, including in Houston and Harris County, are struggling to recruit and retain officers. A Precinct 2 commissioner should provide public safety while ensuring the blessings of liberty to our constituents.J. Biographical statement: 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. "These election contests are frivolous attempts to overturn the votes of more than a million residents in the third largest county in the country," Menefee continued in the release. Harris County Republican Party Chair Cindy Siegel indicated there could be more election contests to come. 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. It's all about control of the county.". "Several of them are considering election contests.". How can JPs play a role in helping to reduce the number of nonpayment of rent evictions in their precinct? The largest contributor to Stop Houston Murders, the Judicial Fairness PAC, started in 2020 to support GOP candidates for the Texas Supreme Court. What is the role of the JP in trying to improve the justice system? 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. I am the most experienced person on the ballot. Vega: Working with local and state government is vital to our communities that flood. We've got to address public housing. As for roads, we must stop litigating with state partners bringing billions to the table for local projects, like this commissioners court did with [the Texas Department of Transportation] and Interstate 45 improvements.R. What is the role of the JP in trying to improve the justice system? "You want a good base of the small donors because someone who gives $10 who maybe is on a fixed income, they're probably equally if not more invested in your campaign or your party than someone who can easily write a $1,000 check," Siegel said. Nine-term incumbent U.S. Rep. Henry Cuellar, D-Laredo, will compete in a runoff against progressive attorney Jessica Cisneros. Incumbent Judge Jeff Williams, a Republican, isnt running for reelection. Burney is the only Democratic Party candidate in the race. By Jishnu Nair Cagles proposal also would have eliminated funds for several departments created since Democrats took control in 2019, including the county administrator, elections administrator, Commissioners Court analysts office and Justice Administration Department. State and county Republican officials have made several attempts to cast doubt on the results of the November elections in Harris County. Updated Vega: My top three priorities include law enforcement, flooding and bail reform. Do you believe tenants should be evicted for nonpayment of rent during a pandemic? 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. Why or why not? During that period, Hidalgo has raised $2.4 million and spent nearly $3.6 million. Harris County Elections Administrator Clifford Tatum said in the report that the results of the investigation are "inconclusive" thus far. Harris County Elections officials look over ballots in the central count area at NRG Arena on Tuesday, Nov. 8, 2022 in Houston. Why are you running? Relevant experience matters. A law degree isnt required for justice of the peace candidates. Jason: In March 2020 the radio told me if I went to church, I would be arrested. I believe the law must be adhere to. I am 36 years old born and raised here all my life. JP Judges should have strong relationships with non-profit organizations, with all levels of government, and with the private sector to establish programs that can aid tenants and landlords receive the necessary assistance prior to any eviction. They should know all needs keeping everyone in mind when making vital decisions that impacts the county as a whole. 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. Below are the responses we received from candidates who chose to participate in the survey. 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. There is no greater calling than to be of service to others. Community activist, Political and Business Consultant and mediator. My goal is to transform this process into one that is more transparent. 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. The campaign then raised an eye-popping $811,000 in October, according to Morman's latest report. The Democratic Party candidates are Ron Campana, Steve Duble, Victor Lombrana, Sonia Lopez, Jonathan JP Preston and Chris Watson. Taylor alleged 80 percent of polling places with paper shortages on Nov. 8 were in areas considered Republican strongholds. Do you believe tenants should be evicted for nonpayment of rent during a pandemic? The. 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. No Republican Party candidates filed to run. Commissioners Court is weighing a $2.2 billion proposed spending plan for the fiscal year starting Oct. 1, which includes some $880 million for the sheriffs office and eight constables. by Texas Tribune January 9, 2023. In 2024, the place 1 judges will be up for election. The mailing address is: Isabel Longoria, Elections Administrator, P.O. Call the Elections Administrator Office at (713) 755-6965, Email the Elections Administrator Office at. Ditta is the only Republican Party candidate in the race. 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 believe judges should follow the law and abide by all emergency orders issued by the Governor. My office will be involved in the case every step of the way to ensure peoples votes are protected.". 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. This will allow more dockets for evictions and small claims. 1978 Press Photo James L. Muldrow, Judge for Harris County - hpa73820 1978 Press Photo Freddie Harris, candidate for county commissioner, Texas. He has also reported on local politics for both papers. I believe I bring a unique skill set to this court. 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. Would you continue to implement any of the emergency measures after the pandemic? The Democratic Party candidates are Lucia Bates, Ashleigh Roberson and Herbert Alexander Sanchez. Abbott's school voucher pitch. As a municipal court judge for over 22 years I have proven methods to expedite dockets. Would you continue to implement any of the emergency measures after the pandemic? Homicides in Harris County rose again last year, from 566 to 632. 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. 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. Angela Rodriguez, a Democrat, is running for reelection. Join the conversation: Call 713.440.8870 | Email talk@houstonmatters.org | Listen Live. 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.. 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. Where can I get a voter registration application? An immediate assessment of needs must be done to see what damage the incumbent Democrat has done. 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. My experience as a community advocate and attorney have prepared me to serve our community in this capacity. I'll create a model court that leads with innovative solutions to the eviction crisis. The legal process should not be cryptic we should encourage people to have access to legal advice and mediation. On the Democratic side, the contributions for Cagle's challenger Lesley Briones, are not all coming from average residents, either. To answer this question would be a violation of the Judicial Canons. Let the Houston Public Media newsroom help you start your day. Why or why not? Building a five-year capital improvement plan and then sticking to it is the best path forward. In a statement, Harris County Attorney Christian Menefee said his office will keep a close eye on Lunceford's election contest. Incumbent Judge Louie Ditta, a Republican, is running for reelection. 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 What is the role of the JP in trying to improve the justice system? Who is eligible to register to vote in Harris County elections? JPs have to follow the law, but they should also do as much as they possibly can to extend eviction protections for renters. As for roads, we must stop litigating with state partners bringing billions to the table for local projects, like this commissioners court did with [the Texas Department of Transportation] and Interstate 45 improvements. A native Houstonian, Jen graduated from Barnard College at Columbia University and earned a master's degree from University of Texas at Austin's LBJ School of Public Affairs. While much of their campaign funding has come from traditional sources relatively modest contributions from Houston-area business interests including engineering firms Cagle and Morman have added funding from GOP PACS since they last ran in 2018. What is the role of the JP in trying to improve the justice system? Imbalanced public services can be detrimental to our communities. I am running to reinvest in my community and bring humanity back into the courtroom. Meet the Republican Candidates September 29, 2022 Known as JPs, these are the judges who decide matters like misdemeanors, small civil disputes and truancy cases. Lunceford's opponent, Democrat Tamika Craft, won the election by 0.26 percent of the vote. Denise F. Graves is the only Republican Party candidate in the race. The Coalition Por For Texas PAC has contributed $450,000 to the Texas Latino Conservatives PAC, which made donations in October to Morman and Jack Cagle, GOP candidates for Harris County Commissioners Court. 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. 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. 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 last few years have been difficult and stressful for all members of our community. - 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. 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. (Community Impact Newspaper staff). I have practiced law in Houston for more than 37 years, serving Texans in the areas of real estate law, business law, construction law, and government law. 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. Vega: One thing that COVID[-19] has done for families here in Precinct 2 is push us to go outside. 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. Join others and make your gift to Houston Public Media today. 2005-2022 Community Impact Newspaper Co. All rights reserved. 8; Bruce Bain, former candidate for the 269th District Court; Michelle Fraga, former candidate for the 281st District Court; Elizabeth Buss, former candidate for the Harris County Criminal Court at Law No. During this time I have developed methods to expedite dockets while providing the public with fairness and confidence in the system. Would you continue to implement any of the emergency measures after the pandemic? "Mr. Tatum, your day of reckoning has just started.". | 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. After representing tenants facing retaliatory evictions in 2019 and 2020, I realized the need to rethink the role JP courts play. There needs to be massive hiring initiatives at most of our local law enforcements in Harris County Precinct 2. 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