The indictment, filed by Harris County District Attorney Kim Ogg, centered around the awarding of an $11 million county contract to Elevate Strategies, a local Houston company whose founder Felicity Pereyra had previously worked on Democratic campaigns. Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo greets people in line outside West Grey Multi-Service Center, 1475 W Gray St., on Election Day Tuesday, Nov. 8, 2022, in Houston. Lina Hidalgo throws shade at 'furniture salesman' Mattress Mack during victory speech, Mayor: HISD has two optionsclose school or be taken over, Rare photos show 2 ocelots crossing South Texas road, Eric Gordon trade looking better and better for Houston Rockets, Willie Nelson pays lovely tribute to another country legend, Hiker takes 'once-in-a-lifetime' photo at Brazos Bend State Park, This Texas Hill Country town is the new, cooler Fredericksburg. District Clerk Marilyn Burgess led her Democratic challenger in the early returns. With all voting centers reporting, Hidalgo had 546,745 votes (50.74 percent) to Mealer's 530,788 (49.25 percent. Solis, who lives in Palmview, speculated that the lack of polling locations on the west side of Hidalgo County could have been designed to help a certain primary candidate. She assumed office on January 1, 2019. Mealer, who keyed in on violent crime in Harris County, was also favored in donations, outraising Hidalgo by nearly $7 million in campaign contributions thanks in large part to a number of generous GOP donors. 1 of 11 Harris County judge Lina Hidalgo greets her supporters at a primaries election night party at Axelrad Beer Garden, Tuesday, March 1, 2022, in Houston. Among the big-money conservatives to throw money behind Mealer were Texas oil tycoons Tim Dunn, and Faris Wilks, who became some of Hidalgo's Republican challenger's top donors in October with a $100,000 donation from the Defend Texas Liberty PAC, which the two men fund. ", "Sure she had almost $10 million in the bank, a U.S. senator, a furniture salesman, unscrupulous folks who were willing to tell lies, and a baffling editorial board endorsement representing the establishment," Hidalgo said. VIDEO: Lina Hidalgo and Alexandra Mealer debate Harris County budget, crime and policy. Sort of. Hidalgo's camp announced that the Democratic judge will make her victory remarks at the office of the Harris County Democratic Party on Wednesday, though they did not confirm when. ", Yesterday, the people of Harris County chose optimism over fear & people over politics. Throughout her reelection campaign, Hidalgo faced an onslaught of criticism from state Republicans, including Gov. Texas Ethics Commission . The court last year redrew both precincts to favor Democrats. Power-hungry politicians use our home to scapegoat immigrants, divide citizens and enrich wealthy special interests. The County Judge is the presiding officer of the county commissioners court and the head of emergency management. Democrats also have a 12-point historic edge in Precinct 2, where Garcia's lead over his challenger and predecessor, Morman, had grown to 5 percentage points by 4 a.m. Pct. Alexandra del Moral Mealer, the Republican nominee for Harris County judge, speaking at the press conference at the Harris County DeputiesOrganization in Houston. Hidalgo argues the county judge still can play a role on issues on which the county lacks direct oversight, such as gun control and abortion. Campaign Finance Reports. Those two forces are clashing, according to Nancy Sims, a political analyst and lecturer of political science at the University of Houston. The elections took place amid a series of hurdles at the ballot box, culminating Tuesday night with Harris County election officials asking the state for an extension on the 24-hour deadline, required by state law, to count all the votes. This is a carousel. March 2022 marks an unusually crowded primary season for Harris County politics, with three Harris County . If the unofficial results stand, Democrats would retain and expand control of the county government four years after they won a majority for the first time in decades. Election mishaps and conflicting court rulings introduced a degree of uncertainty about when the results would become official. Del Moral Mealer is running in the Republican primary for Harris County Judge. One of the first priorities for newly elected County Judge Lina Hidalgo was to push through an historic 8% property tax increase - the maximum property tax increase allowed. IN THIS EPISODE: Alexandra Del Moral Mealer, the GOP Candidate running for Harris County Judge, talks about what led to her jump on the campaign trail with a goal to unseat incumbent candidate . Astros GM Dana Brown the antithesis of his predecessors, Texas wants to ban delta-8, but veterans are pushing back, UH, Texas A&M removing DEI statements from hiring practices, Houston is the most stressful city to work in, says new study, The Breakfast Klub sues prominent City Hall consultant for fraud, Lauren Daigle at Houston Rodeo: 'God always has your number', Galveston gets fourth Carnival Cruise Line. Her opponent, Republican challenge . Mealer concedes to Hidalgo in Harris County judge race, Democrats likely to expand majority, Timeline: How battle between Houston ISD, TEA has reached the point of a looming takeover. . Democrat Lina Hidalgo has secured a second term as Harris County Judge, defeating her Republican challenger Alex Mealer in a highly contested race for the head of the county's governing body. Republican Harris County Judge candidate Alexandra del Moral Mealer gets ready to talk to the media as early election results come in at her watch party at Kirby Ice House on Tuesday, Nov. 8, 2022 in Houston. Politics A new poll shows the Harris County Judge's race is neck-and-neck. 4 candidate Lesley Briones talks to her supporters at her watch party at Cottonwood on N. Shepherd Tuesday Nov. 08,2022.Also pictured are her daughters Catalina, Ana Lucia and Valentina. We are a membership-based organization and our strength is found in the participation of our over eight thousand members. She's facing challengers . Help us ask the candidates for Hidalgo County Judge the challenging questions. The impending takeover of HISD by the TEA dates back to 2019, when Wheatley High School triggered a state law by failing to meet accountability standards for seven consecutive years. They attributed the delay to damaged ballot sheets that must be duplicated before they can be scanned by counting machines, according to Secretary of State John Scotts office. Jack Cagle is running against Democrat Lesley Briones. WHEN: Friday, Feb 4th, 2022, at 5 pm ### LUPE is a nonprofit organization that helps the community organize for and win a better quality of life. "Truth won over lies." Fifteen candidates are vying for the position of Harris County judge in the upcoming . The last-minute celebrity endorsements were one of Hidalgos last campaign moves before the Nov. 8 election. Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo gives a speech at the Harris County Democratic Party headquarters after being reelected for a second term on Wednesday, Nov. 9, 2022 in Houston. A first-time political candidate, Mealer ran a tough on crime campaign against the Democratic incumbent, criticizing Hidalgo for the countys crime rate and stumping on issues of public safety. In an interview, Mealer acknowledged Trump lost the 2020 election and said that, barring any obvious evidence of impropriety, she would accept the results in November if she loses. Nov. 10, 2022. A runoff also will be necessary in the wide open Democratic primary for the Precinct 4 seat on Commissioners Court, newly drawn last year to improve the partys chances of defeating Republican incumbent Jack Cagle. 1 Commissioner Rodney Ellis, a Democrat, and Pct. Mealer is hoping to kneecap Hidalgos rising political career just four years after the Democrat unseated Republican Ed Emmett in her first-ever run for political office, completing a Democratic takeover of the nations third-largest county. Hidalgos Republican opponent, Alexandra del Moral Mealer raised 4x the amount of fundraising money in her bid. Published March 1, 2022. Alexandra del Moral Mealer and attorney Vidal Martinez were leading the nine-candidate Republican field for the GOPs nomination for county judge. Mealer said. Hidalgo argued Republicans are forcing the county to scale back other essential services, and as she commented on the impacts to various departments, Mealer supporters rolled their eyes, laser-focused on their candidates goal of hiring more patrol officers. Its rattlesnake season in Texas. Particularly among the Democrats, she remains very popular.". Members shall draw lots to determine who serves which terms. Austin, TX, April 22, 2022 Republicans Vidal Martinez and Alexandra del Moral Mealer have hit the campaign trail in what has become a heated runoff race for a chance to replace Democratic incumbent Lina Hidalgo as Harris County judge.. piling up against Hidalgo as Election Day approached, campaign contributions thanks in large part to a number of generous GOP donors, three of her top aides were indicted by a grand jury. ", 'POLITICS OF PERCEPTION': Hidalgo, Harris County Dems hope for boost from abortion, national trends, but races still competitive over crime, economy. 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. Hidalgo County Elections Department administers the polling locations in the early voting period. The board praised her plans to combat violent crime in the county and promises to clear a backlog of criminal cases at the courthouse. Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo high-fives a woman in the front row during an abortion rights rally organized by Beto O'Rourke at Discovery Green on Saturday, May 7, 2022 in Houston. Tensions ran high as the court's two Republican members skipped the meeting, blocking the three Democrats from passing their proposed tax rate unless they agreed to specific terms for funding law enforcement. Elizabeth Conley/Staff photographer. 2022 / 08:13 AM CST . Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo waits to speak to the media after the Harris County Commissioners Court went into executive session Tuesday, Sept. 27, 2022, in Houston. "No one really knows what the county judge does. Moreover, Patrick confronted Hidalgo at the event and accused her of defunding the police despite increasing the law enforcement budget since 2019. "That is a key priority," Hidalgo said. Hidalgo's slight edge over Mealer emerged with the results of early and absentee voting, and remained largely the same as the county's tallying process dragged on into the morning. Oct 25, 2022 - News. According to election results from 2016 and 2020, Democrats hold a 12-point advantage in Precinct 4. 5 Deputy Corporal Charles Galloway. STAY IN THE KNOW, by visiting our website in the next couple of days. But for now, her two GOP challengers are busy slashing at each other before the May 24 runoff election. Texas 2022 elections: Who won, who lost Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo won reelection after a close race against well-funded opponent Alexandra del Moral Mealer. Monday, February 14, 2022. What does the data say? WHAT: Candidate Forum for Hidalgo County Judge in the Democratic Party Primary, Candidates: Richard Cortez (incumbent), Norma Ramirez, Tania Ramirez, Sponsors: La Unin del Pueblo Entero and LUPE Votes. Hidalgo's reelection campaign also suffered a blow following an unexpected endorsement from the Houston Chronicle Editorial Board co-signing Mealer. I want to thank each & every voter who showed up to make their voice heard this election. Registered Voters as of February 27, 2023 Total 412,899. Emmett left office in 2019. ", Before closing out her speech, Hidalgo turned attention to any who don't believe she won her reelection fair and square. I sincerely appreciate your vote of confidence in electing me. People are looking beyond party lines and looking to the person, and thats the way local politics really should be, Mealer told reporters following the initial results. For any questions regarding your voter information please call the Hidalgo County's Elections Department at (956) 318-2570. . She has created a political base around her campaign to make her race one of the most important and contested races in the state.. Precinct 2 Commissioner Adrian Garcia, a Democrat, held a wider lead: 105,653 votes (52.56 percent) to Republican Jack Morman's 95,363 (47.44 percent), according to the unofficial vote count. "Hidalgo continues to be the front-runner, primarily because of the makeup of Harris County in terms of partisanship," Cross said. Heres what you need to know. Jasper Scherer covers Texas politics and government for the Houston Chronicle and San Antonio Express-News. She had poured nearly $1.9 million of her campaign funds into TV ads as of last week, nearly a 3-to-1 advantage over Hidalgo, according to data from the media-tracking firm AdImpact. Onward! Along her campaign trail, Hidalgo amassed the support of celebrities like Hamilton playwright Lin-Manuel Miranda, Chicago rapper and actor Common, and actress Jane Fonda, who block-walked with her in Houston last month. Hidalgo drew support from 45%. said Judge Lina Hidalgo, the top elected official of Harris County, Texas, after news broke last week that 30 truckloads of contaminated firefighting water were arriving each day to Deer Park, a suburb of Houston. the Hidalgo County health authority, announced he was passing on a campaign for the seat, saying he could . For several election cycles, Houston-area voters have favored Democrats over Republicans. Incumbent Cagle lost his bid for reelection as Harris County Precinct 4 commissioner against Democratic challenger Lesley Briones, a civil court judge. A sixth criminal judge, Jason Luong of the 185th district court, also trailed in his election but appeared headed for a runoff. I also want to thank Ms. Mealer for a hard-fought campaign & her military service. In this one, Mealer is hoping to achieve the same feat, only with the parties swapped. Edinburg, Texas 78539. On Twitter Wednesday morning, Hidalgo celebrated her win, tweeting: "Yesterday, the people of Harris County chose optimism over fear & people over politics. "We've worked for a commissioners court that looks like our county and we've worked to make sure that diversity is represented throughout the leadership of county government," she said. Texas GOP may censure Tony Gonzales over gay marriage, gun votes, Rep. Joaquin Castro's health plan points to a new Texas trend, 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. BY THE NUMBERS: Republicans say violent crime is up, Dems say it's down. They answered questions from the . Staff members faced charges of misuse of official information and tampering with a government record in connection to a county contract awarded by Hidalgo's office to a local public relations firm to create a county COVID-19 outreach program. Last Day to Apply for Ballot by Mail (Received, not Postmarked) Friday, February 18, 2022. Procedures for Candidates, 2019-2021. After briefly looking down and taking a pause, Hidalgo continued: "But y'all, didn't I say it would be a sweet victory?". He has also reported on local politics for both papers. HARRIS COUNTY, Texas (KTRK) -- Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo's political future is on the line for 2022. "To the naysayers who think I'll be intimidated by conspiracy theories or by bullying or by political prosecutionsbring it on!" Jaime E. Galvan 11/8/2022. Another administrative incumbent, Harris County Treasurer Dylan Osborne, appeared headed for defeat as well, trailing challenger Carla Wyatt. Democrats have won every countywide contest since 2016, including Hidalgos own upset win over popular incumbent Ed Emmett in 2018. As many of you know, I am not a stranger to public service. Oct. 12, 2022 Updated: Oct. 14, 2022 1:37 p.m. For the first time, the two candidates for Harris County judge, incumbent Lina Hidalgo and challenger Alexandra Mealer, sat down . Democrats thought their 3-2 majority on the Court would make this an easy task and they . Hidalgo enjoyed a small lead in the 2018 early vote, and she performed better on Election Day, growing her lead to secure a 50-to-48 percent victory. Her reporting has aired nationally on NPR's Morning Edition, All Things Considered and Here & Now. The trend began around the start of the pandemic in 2020, when murders surged by more than 40 percent in the county, including Houston and the other incorporated cities. Another candidate for county judge is McAllen City Commissioner Tania Ramirez. 2022 Updated: 5:24 PM CST November 9, 2022 . "My opponent will often say, well, none of these are county issues," Hidalgo said. Rest assured that I take, very seriously, the responsibility to serve all of Hidalgo County. The vote totals confirmed just how hotly contested the local races were. Shortly before 5 a.m., the early votes and less than half of the 375 voting centers had been reported. Harris County judge Lina Hidalgo is applauded as she arrives at a primaries election night party, Tuesday, March 1, 2022, in Houston. In February, Texas Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick criticized Hidalgo for where she decided to stand at the memorial service of slain Harris County Pct. While Commissioners Court and the county judge have little practical authority over abortion policy, Hidalgo has argued the court plays a role through its oversight of the county hospital system, which provides reproductive care to residents. Axios on twitter. Search Texas Monthly We earned them with hard work and with results over the past four years.". Hidalgo County Courthouse 100 North Closner. Democratic incumbent Judge Lina Hidalgo will serve another term as county judge for Texas' most populous county after . Harris County judge Lina Hidalgo talks to her supporters at an primaries election night party, Tuesday, March 1, 2022, in Houston. If you are running in the March 2022 primaries, we want to hear from you. Early voting in the March primary begins on Valentine's Day. The spotlight also fueled speculation she could someday run for larger office, both of which made her a primary target for both local and statewide conservatives. Her current term ends on December 31, 2026. He initially joined the paper through the Hearst Journalism Fellowship program after covering the same beats for the San Antonio Express-News. More than 80 percent of Mealer's contributions were spent on advertising, while Hidalgo spent more than 87 percent, according to a report from Community Impact. "They do that to get you talking about everything but Harris County. LUPE was founded in 1989 by farmworker and civil rights leaders Cesar E. Chavez and Dolores Huerta. I also want to thank Ms. Mealer for a hard-fought campaign & her military service. Election Day is Tuesday, November 8, 2022. Ellie Torres (D) Hidalgo County Constable Precinct 5. Please type your name EXACTLY as it appears on your VOTER REGISTRATION RECORD. Incumbent Judge Lina Hidalgo is running for re-election after securing a historic - and surprising - win in 2018. ), LIVE RESULTS TRACKER: Texas 2022 midterm elections: Live results from Abbott vs. Beto, Hidalgo vs. Mealer and more. I want to thank each & every voter who showed up to make their voice heard this election. The Houston Chronicle's editorial board makes an endorsement for the Harris County judge that can be considered crucial in the tight race. The impending takeover of HISD by the TEA dates back to 2019, when Wheatley High School triggered a state law by failing to meet accountability standards for seven consecutive years. WINNERS AND LOSERS: Who won, who lost, who's going to a runoff in primary elections across Houston, rest of Texas. It all started with a viral video by the National Fraternal Order of Police denouncing where Hidalgo stood on the stage particularly close to the family and their elected officials to honor the fallen officer. Judges at the courthouse quickly encountered trouble in those unofficial returns. Republicans say violent crime is up, Dems say it's down. In the GOP primary for county treasurer, Kyle Scott led Eric Dick. A poll from the Hobby School of Public Affairs at the University of Houston, released Monday on the first day of early voting, found 47% of likely Harris County voters say they will support Mealer, a political newcomer running for Harris County judge. Lina Hidalgo reelected as Harris County judge. Friday, November 4, 2022. Running for Local Offices; Notable Links . Jen Rice is a reporter for the Houston Chronicle covering Harris County government. The Early Voting results were reported shortly after the polls closed, Election Day results will be reported, and the remainder of the reconciliation process will continue over the next few days, as we prioritize accuracy over speed, Longorias office said in a statement. That means all votes cast between 7 p.m. and 8 p.m. are being set aside until the high court decides whether they're legitimate and can be counted. Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo saw her most challenging year in politics in 2022. A strong gender gap exists in the vote for county judge, with Hidalgo holding a 12% lead over del Moral Mealer among women (52% to 40%), while del Moral Mealer . She's responsible for emergency management, which means she's in charge when disasters strike, whether that comes in the form of chemical fires, floods, a pandemic or power grid failures during a historic winter storm . Lin-Manuel Miranda appeared at a rally Tuesday supporting Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo . 05/09/2022 01:51 PM EDT. EXPLAINER: What you need to know about Lina Hidalgo and Alex Mealer in the race for Harris County judge. Employees Only. Our nation is too divided right now and it's been divided for too many years," Hidalgo said. Harris County commissioner candidate Lesley Briones introduces gubernatorial candidate Beto ORourke during a rally outside of the West Gray Recreational Area on Tuesday, Nov. 8, 2022 in Houston. HOUSTON Lina Hidalgo, the progressive Democrat who leads Texas's largest county, which includes Houston, narrowly won re-election despite a well-funded effort by a Republican . See also: Municipal elections in Harris County, Texas (2022) General election. Bun B, Badu, J.J. Watt celebrate RodeoHouston Southern Takeover, Exclusive: Abbott explains push against diversity hiring programs. Mealer has framed those unfilled positions as another failure on Hidalgo's part, suggesting the county recruit from military bases and offer signingbonuses using federal COVID relief funds. Hidalgo has maintained that the scandal was a politically motivated attack and has publicly defended her aides. Hidalgo's staffers being charged in 2022 with helping . Elizabeth Conley, Houston Chronicle / Staff photographer Show More Show Less 2 of 2. On election night, Mealer conceded the race after unofficial results showed Hidalgo riding to a comfortable 15,000-vote lead. Updated: Jun 18, 2021 / 01:46 PM CDT. "Elections should not be about pitting one group against each other. Heres what you need to know. This Houston rodeo food vendor wants you to eat his rattlesnake, Astros GM Dana Brown has more praise team's top prospect, Heres how you can watch 'Daisy Jones and the Six', Proposed Texas bill gives tax cuts to heterosexual families only, These bites won big at the Houston rodeo's foodie awards. The GOP race to face Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo is getting nasty. A new study says yes. We pride ourselves on doing our best, being responsible with taxpayer . 2022 Candidate's Guide - Running for State, District or County Office; 2020 Candidate's Guide - Running for Federal, State, District or County offices. WINNERS AND LOSERS: Who won and who lost in the 2022 midterm elections across Houston and rest of Texas? It doesn't need to be that way. Its rattlesnake season in Texas. We need more vaccine, Turner said. Dylan McGuinness covers City Hall and local politics for the Houston Chronicle. 3 Commissioner Tom Ramsey, a Republican, do not face election this year. The local Democratic Party administers the polling locations on Election Day. Lina Hidalgo, a rising Democratic star, faces a tough reelection race to lead Harris County. Jan. 31, 2022 Updated: Feb. 1, 2022 7:58 a.m. Facebook Twitter Email Houston business owner Jim Mattress Mack McIngvale has endorsed GOP candidate Alexandra del Moral Mealer for Harris County Judge. This 10 percentage point lead by . Oct. 12, 2022. By the time candidates began announcing for the 2022 Texas primaries in mid-November, Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo, chief executive of the county that includes Houston, seemed to have safely . Hidalgo appeared to gain some breathing room over the summer, when public backlash to the Supreme Courts scrapping of Roe v Wade provided a boost to Democrats around the country. For the last couple months, Hidalgo has assailed Mealer for not taking a stance on Texas abortion ban, including through a TV ad that says Mealer is staying silent while womens lives are in danger. In an effort to paint Mealer as a far-right extremist, Hidalgo has accused her of sowing doubt in the election results and being blindly loyal to former president Donald Trump. Campaign finance reports received by the Harris County Office of the Elections Administrator on July 15 show $2.88M in total contributions between Feb. 20-June 30 to the two candidates for Harris . Greg Abbott, Lt. Gov. The Houston region's high number of homicides, the state's new abortion ban and a flood of campaign . Harris County judge candidates . She has evolved into a savvy, hard-nosed, driven candidate, and she has been incredibly successful in raising the funds necessary to compete with Lina Hidalgo. Kennedy is a reporter at Chron covering all things Houston. Among those trailing are five criminal district court judges: Chuck Silverman, 183rd district court; Abigail Anastasio, 184th; Greg Glass, 208th; and Amy Martin, 263rd. The request to keep the polling sites open late was made by the Texas Organizing Project, Texas Civil Rights Project and the ACLU of Texas. "To the extent we work on these issues that affect us all, all of us will do better. Meanwhile, across town at the Kirby Ice House, Mealer said the close margins show voters are paying attention. Ballotpedia's 2022 elections analysis. She has said the GOP plan would create hundreds of new positions that may never be filled, while preventing raises for the current police officers and cutting critical funding for flood control, public health, and other areas.. LUPE is a 501(c)3 organization Copyright 2023 1601 US-83 BUS, San Juan, TX 78589, Release: Hidalgo County Judge Candidates Will Tackle the Biggest Challenges Facing Colonia, RGV Residents at LUPE Candidate Forum. Participation among voters with Spanish surnames was down 18 percent. Emmett (Republican Party) . Since July, Republican donors have poured nearly $9 million into Mealer's bid to unseat Hidalgo a staggering haul for a county judge race. You can't just look the other way on so many issues.". Taken on September 7, 2022. Her biggest donor was Richard Weekley, a Houston-based developer and megadonor who contributed $400,000 to Mealers campaign. Race for Harris County judge still too close to call Published: November 8, 2022, 11:56 AM Updated: November 9, 2022, 1:04 AM Tags: Decision 2022 , Harris County , Voting , Lina Hidalgo . Please check back later for updates. The two emerged as victors in a nine-person primary election last month, with Mealer capturing 29 percent to Martinez's 26 percent. In 2022, Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo had the odds stacked against her in a challenging campaign year to keep her top position in the county. Before coming to the Chronicle, Jen spent three years covering City Hall for Houston's NPR station. . "But we earned every vote and not with exaggerations or falsehoods. Democratic incumbent Lina Hidalgo is running for a second term as Harris County Judge. 2022 Wave elections; 2023 Commissioner's Court Meetings Calendar. Hidalgo also faced more specific challenges, including her fundraising disadvantage and a corruption probe. "We are just getting started.". "We believe and we stick to our values and that's what we brought to county government," Hidalgo told supporters at the Sam Houston Hotel late Tuesday, appearing with fellow Democrats Garcia and Precinct 1 Commissioner Rodney Ellis. pic.twitter.com/WBczbAdXiT, Mealer issued a statement conceding victory on Twitter earlier Wednesday morning, writing: "While we did not accomplish our goal of changing leadership in Harris County, we were successful in elevating the profile of critical issues like the need to appropriately resource our law enforcement and criminal justice system as well as the desire to eliminate corruption and increase transparency in local government.