The mailing address is: Isabel Longoria, Elections Administrator, P.O. Meet the Republican Candidates - Harris County Republican Party All Events This event has passed. What is the role of the JP in trying to improve the justice system? Evictions are devastating to families and communities, so it's vital that everyone has full access to the protections of the law. By Jishnu Nair What needs do you see for parks and roads in Precinct 2 and what can be done to improve them?J. 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. While Cagle had no in-kind political contributions on his Oct. 31 report in 2018, his 2022 report from the same period shows in-kind contributions totaling $158,000 from the Houston Region Business Coalition, the Texas Latino Conservatives PAC and the Protect and Serve Texas PAC. I believe judges should follow the law and abide by all emergency orders issued by the Governor. Monitor current developments and watersheds, and begin a real push for the development of an Ike Dike type of solution for storm surge.What kind of improvements would you make to the county criminal justice system?J. Below. Would you continue to implement any of the emergency measures after the pandemic? 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. 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. Morman: Restore the money defunded to law enforcement agencies; fully back law enforcement; unclog the courts; and push for sensible bond practices that keep families safe.R. Currently Im employed with Fort Bend County District Attorneys Office. 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. Mealer said she wants to increase longevity pay and offer more competitive salary and benefits to encourage deputies to stick around, though she acknowledged we will not be able to hire 1,000 on Day One., In a statement Wednesday, Hidalgo noted that Harris Countys law enforcement agencies currently have more than 400 fully funded yet unfilled positions. I am running to reinvest in my community and bring humanity back into the courtroom. Would you continue to implement any of the emergency measures after the pandemic? I believe I bring a unique skill set to this court. What is the role of the JP in trying to improve the justice system? Why are you running? 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. Changes I would implement include having a "zoom room" for legal aid and law clinic representatives to meet virtually with those in need. The Democratic Party candidates are Ron Campana, Steve Duble, Victor Lombrana, Sonia Lopez, Jonathan JP Preston and Chris Watson. The GOP plan in some ways resembles Gonzalezs request earlier this year for 1,019 new employees including 645 patrol deputies, 150 investigators and 118 jail staff that would have grown his staff by some 20 percent. Do you believe tenants should be evicted for nonpayment of rent during a pandemic? Why are you running? State and county Republican officials have made several attempts to cast doubt on the results of the November elections in Harris County. 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. Justice of the Peace courts have more of an impact on peoples every day lives than most know. 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. 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 The Democratic Party candidates are Ron Campana, Steve Duble, Victor Lombrana, Sonia Lopez, Jonathan JP Preston and Chris Watson. 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. The LAST DAY to vote is Saturday, May 1, 2021 from 7 AM 7 PM. Who won and who lost in the 2022 midterm elections across Houston and rest of Texas? Republicans running for Harris County Commissioners Court said Wednesday they would ramp up law enforcement spending and hire 1,000 additional officers if they win a majority in November, but it was not immediately clear how much the plan would cost or how it would be funded. I am the son of two hard working people who taught me the value of hard work, service, and dedication. The Democratic Party candidates are Lucia Bates, Ashleigh Roberson and Herbert Alexander Sanchez. I was born to a single Mexican-American Mom who is now a family court judge herself. Vega: The law enforcement agencies are not adequately staffed and funded to handle the population growth in Precinct 2. It is important for us to look at other coastal regionsthey have similar landscapes as oursto see what has been successful so we can possibly implement it in our county.D. 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. Its fair and just. 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. 1978 Press Photo Anne Greene, Harris County, Texas Biographical statement: Biographical statement: Currently, I am the in-house attorney for the Houston Federation of Teachers, the largest union for teachers in the area. How can JPs play a role in helping to reduce the number of nonpayment of rent evictions in their precinct? Many of the major milestones in my life would not have been possible without them, and I hope to provide those same opportunities to others.J. I understand how the court works and how we can make it better. Ive lived in Harris County for close to 35 years. 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. Biographical statement: To answer this question would be a violation of the Judicial Canons. 3:59 PM Feb 14, 2022 CST I was inspired to run again because we again need a conservative majority on commissioners court. Sharon Burney, a Democrat, is running for reelection. The incumbent candidate is Adrian I will listen to advocates and the people most affected by the issues to achieve the most equitable outcomes possible. HARRIS COUNTY, Texas The race for Texas Attorney General was already heated. Michael Murney is a reporter at Chron and a reporting fellow with the Pulitzer Center on Crisis Reporting. 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. Before coming to the Chronicle, Jen spent three years covering City Hall for Houston's NPR station. Below are the responses we received from candidates who chose to participate in the survey. 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. Expanding Medicaid coverage, online data privacy rights: Texas-based boot-maker Lucchese to open store in League Citys west side to bring thousands Harris County commissioners talk jail conditions, approve What needs do you see for parks and roads in Precinct 2 and what can be done to improve them? Heres why candidates say theyre running to serve as the judges who preside over evictions, truancy cases and small civil disputes. Hoping to unseat County Judge Lina Hidalgo and retake political control of the county, Republicans have centered their campaigns this year around crime and public safety, arguing Democrats have failed to devote enough funding to county law enforcement since gaining a majority on Commissioners Court in 2018. Building up coalitions and building up individuals to become more productive citizens instead of erecting barriers ensure safer and prosperous communities. The JP should strive to eliminate confusion and provide information to help people make reasoned decisions before proceeding. 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. It is also the court where most parties are attending without the help of lawyer. 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 Harris County attorneys office. 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. Harris County is divided into eight justice of the peace precincts, with two elected judges in each precinct. What is the role of the JP in trying to improve the justice system? Where can I get a voter registration application? 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. 6; Matthew Dexter, former candidate for Harris County Criminal Court at Law No. Five Republican candidates are running for Harris County's Precinct 2 commissioner seat in the upcoming March primaries. A yard sign in Houston supporting the Stop Houston Murders PAC photographed on Nov. 3, 2022. Transparency is key in making sure evictions are handled in accordance with the law. I am a small business co-founder on the East Side of Harris County and an elected School Board Trustee. On the Democratic side, the contributions for Cagle's challenger Lesley Briones, are not all coming from average residents, either. "I want to send a message to the Harris County elections administrator," Taylor said. It is imperative that the Justice of the Peace Courts enter the 21st century and use all available technology to provide the best and most efficient service to our community. My goal is to transform this process into one that is more transparent. Cagle and Republican Jack Morman, a former Precinct 2 commissioner who is aiming to win his seat back from Democratic incumbent Adrian Garcia in November, joined Mealer at the press conference Wednesday in support of the plan to hire 1,000 new officers. 5; Chris Daniel, former candidate for Harris County District Clerk. 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. There is no greater calling than to be of service to others. Morman's mid-October fundraising report in 2018 showed $68,260 in contributions, including $4,900 of in-kind political contributions. Watch: Astros SP Luis Garcia debuts new windup after rule changes, Oops! 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