Q&A: Get to know Harris County judge candidates Mealer, Hidalgo

Why are you running for the role of county judge?

I watched as petty crime in my neighborhood turned into violent crime, and our local officials refused to even acknowledge the problem, let alone try to find solutions to immediately address the issue. When I launched my campaign in November of 2021, public safety was my top priority. ... My family and I love living in Harris County, and the first and foremost responsibility of government is to protect the most vulnerable.

What is the biggest issue facing Harris County right now, and how do you plan to address it?

The biggest issue facing Harris County is the lawlessness that has been allowed to fester. ... To tackle this unprecedented rise in crime there is a funding element and a legal element. [The county] stripped the constables and the district attorney of their saving accounts during an unprecedented crime epidemic, … and the other commissioners and denied the overwhelming majority of their budget requests. [The county] signed the ODonnell Consent Decree that created a cashless bail system for misdemeanors.

How will you work with your colleagues on the court to get things done?

Our priority on commissioners court will be public safety, and as long as we are in agreement that that is the top priority, we will be able to find ways to work together. My obligation as judge will be to our residents above partisan politics. [Previously], Harris County worked in a bipartisan fashion and didn’t get bogged down in left vs. right. That’s what I believe we need to be moving toward.

How will you balance meeting the county’s infrastructure needs with ensuring the health and well-being of county residents?

It is imperative to have safe and efficient roadway systems, which is accomplished through investment in maintenance and roadway expansions. Through the efficient movement of people and goods, we can maintain the competitiveness of the Port of Houston— 20% of Texas’ GDP—and continue to attract families and businesses to Harris County. As county judge, I will support using toll road dollars to maintain and expand our roadway system and advocate for partnership funding.

How will you tackle the criminal court case backlog and the overcrowding at the county jail?

With my plan to aggressively fund our entire criminal justice, we will expedite the court case backlog and close the revolving door at the county jail. We will make the jail safe for both jail staff and inmates.

Why are you running for the role of county judge?

Before I was elected, county government flew under the radar, dodged tough decisions and operated reactively, not proactively. I’ve steered Harris County through a winter storm, chemical fires, floods, hurricanes and COVID[-19]. I did it while making bold changes to how our government operates—from record law enforcement funding, to early childhood education, smarter flood control and everything in between. I'm running to protect our progress and keep Harris County moving forward.

What is the biggest issue facing Harris County right now, and how do you plan to address it?

1. Keeping Harris County safe: from natural disasters, from crime, and from any other threat to our health and well-being. 2. Building an early childhood education system that gives every child in our county a fair start in life. 3. Continuing to strengthen our flood resilience and our disaster preparedness.

How will you work with your colleagues on the court to get things done?

Opposing perspectives can push us to find more equitable solutions, and I am dedicated to keeping Harris County moving forward. Since taking office, I led a bipartisan commissioners court to invest in reducing the criminal court backlog and successfully cut homelessness by 20%. My priority is providing access to brighter opportunities. While my colleagues and I sometimes disagree, we share the common goal of providing the best services and outcomes for all residents.