Vega: The law enforcement agencies are not adequately staffed and funded to handle the population growth in Precinct 2. Houston has 3 law schools with excellent clinical programs that courts should encourage people to use. I am running for this bench because I feel that I am the most qualified candidate. Transparency is key in making sure evictions are handled in accordance with the law. How can JPs play a role in helping to reduce the number of nonpayment of rent evictions in their precinct? "I want to send a message to the Harris County elections administrator," Taylor said. We've had many trials and errors but wasteful spending of over $60 million on a makeshift hospital is mismanagement of taxpayers' money.D. How can JPs play a role in helping to reduce the number of nonpayment of rent evictions in their precinct? Brian Staley, former candidate for Harris County Civil County Court at Law No. 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. Lunceford's opponent, Democrat Tamika Craft, won the election by 0.26 percent of the vote. Why or why not? Houston Public Media is supported with your gifts to the Houston Public Media Foundation and is licensed to the University of Houston. The Democratic Party candidates are Ron Campana, Steve Duble, Victor Lombrana, Sonia Lopez, Jonathan JP Preston and Chris Watson. Jason: If the sheriffs office and [district attorney] dont hunt down these criminals and convict them then I will cut their budget 20%!J. The legal process should not be cryptic we should encourage people to have access to legal advice and mediation. There are still many roads that have been left unattended and still need major work.D. 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. Do you believe tenants should be evicted for nonpayment of rent during a pandemic? Community activist, Political and Business Consultant and mediator. Why are you running? What is the role of the JP in trying to improve the justice system? Get highlights, trending news, and behind-the-scenes insights from Houston Public Media delivered to your inbox each week. 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. HPD | Surveillance or savior? Manlove: The role of county government is primarily crime, infrastructure and economic development. ELECTION MAP: See if your Harris County neighborhood voted for Greg Abbott or Beto O'Rourke in the 2022 midterms. 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. Incumbent Judge Louie Ditta, a Republican, is running for reelection. They should focus on providing resources and solving problems, not on disciplining, chastising, or punishing people. Jasper Scherer covers Texas politics and government for the Houston Chronicle and San Antonio Express-News. As a successful mayor of the city of Pasadena along with my hispanic heritage and business experience I believe Im the most qualified candidate.What would your top priorities be if elected?J. No Republican Party candidates filed to run. No Republican Party candidates filed to run. What is the role of the JP in trying to improve the justice system? ELECTION ROUNDUP: Who won and who lost in the 2022 midterm elections across Houston and rest of Texas? Below. 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'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. Why are you running? I understand the issues our community faces daily. 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. Taylor said. 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. We asked residents what questions they have for people running for justice of the peace and included some of those questions in a survey we sent to the candidates to learn more about their platforms. 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. I have 22 years of experience as a municipal court judge. It thereby has the greatest duty to perform at the highest standards of both the law and morality. After representing tenants facing retaliatory evictions in 2019 and 2020, I realized the need to rethink the role JP courts play. PAY TO PLAY: Harris County commissioners hide where most of their campaign cash comes from. You cannot tell me this is an efficiently operated (budget)., On HoustonChronicle.com: Harris County inches ahead on budget and tax rate after state acknowledges comptroller cannot block approval. Denise F. Graves is the only Republican Party candidate in the race. Biographical statement: are the responses we received from candidates who chose to participate in the survey. Gundetection data raises concernsAftermath | West Texas town looks like Mars after dust stormGrind | Houston is the No. Born and raised in Houston, Texas. 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. The Texas Supreme Court has declined to disqualify those votes. There are many parks within the precinct that have been neglected for many years. 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. 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. - 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. Would you continue to implement any of the emergency measures after the pandemic? Biographical statement: I obtained a bachelor's degree in business and have experiences with finances and finding solutions to budgets our county needs. I served Harris County as a pastor for six years and through humanitarian aid for the last 10 years.D. 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. Ditta is the only Republican Party candidate in the race. I am the son of two hard working people who taught me the value of hard work, service, and dedication. 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 Each of them should be deeply embarrassed and these claims should not be taken seriously by 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. Why are you running? Taylor alleged 80 percent of polling places with paper shortages on Nov. 8 were in areas considered Republican strongholds. On HoustonChronicle.com: Comptrollers defunding accusation could cost Harris County law enforcement millions in budget increases. 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. 1978 Press Photo Anne Greene, Harris County, Texas Incumbent Judge David Patronella, a Democrat, isnt running for reelection. 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. 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. "But we also know that in order to curtail crime, we've got to make quality of life investments. They should know all needs keeping everyone in mind when making vital decisions that impacts the county as a whole. 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. Unlike a regular contract violation an eviction could potentially put people on the street and have future impacts on ability to rent and as a result the JP should attempt to get parties to resolve their issues before even having to get to the eviction stage. I have an extensive legal background as an attorney and former Chief of Staff to Representative Hernandez. This court has been particularly affected. Relevant experience matters. I am running because it is important to have someone in this position that is competent, and compassionate. These measures have improved the accessibility of the court, and I am strongly in favor of not only continuing but also expanding them. How can JPs play a role in helping to reduce the number of nonpayment of rent evictions in their precinct? The use of video conferencing is long overdue. When I am not practicing law I am spending time with my family. Biographical statement: Where can I get a voter registration application? My experience as a community advocate and attorney have prepared me to serve our community in this capacity. It's all about control of the county.". How can JPs play a role in helping to reduce the number of nonpayment of rent evictions in their precinct? 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 Would you continue to implement any of the emergency measures after the pandemic? 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. I want to continue to serve this community by implementing creative ideas. Vega: I am inspired to run for this office because I see the need for changes that need to happen. 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. Why or why not? Find a polling location near you for early voting or Election Day. No, there are currently many resources now in place for both landlords and tenants alike before they arrive at the eviction process stage. The Democratic Party candidates are Luis Garza and Angela D. Rodriguez. Menu. To answer this question would be a violation of the Judicial Canons. I graduated with my JD from South Texas College of Law and received my LLM in International Law from University of Houston. 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. 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. No. Andy Taylor, general counsel for the Harris County GOP, is representing Lunceford. Morman: Supporting law enforcement, waging a real war on crime, cutting wasteful spending [and] restoring integrity in county government.R. Also, hold public clinics and aid expos in the community. What is the role of the JP in trying to improve the justice system? 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. Harris County Elections Administrator Clifford Tatum said in the report that the results of the investigation are "inconclusive" thus far. Alexandra del Moral Mealer, the Republican nominee challenging Hidalgo, estimated the addition of 1,000 new law "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. 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. Building up coalitions and building up individuals to become more productive citizens instead of erecting barriers ensure safer and prosperous communities. There needs to be massive hiring initiatives at most of our local law enforcements in Harris County Precinct 2. Graduated of Texas Southern University. Almost all the legislative candidates preferred by Lt. Gov. The mailing address is: Isabel Longoria, Elections Administrator, P.O. I believe that Justice Courts can help drastically reduce the number of evictions during a pandemic by making sure each case is heard individually and everyone is given their day in court. 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. 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