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Two candidates are vying for the position of Harris County Precinct 4 commissioner in the upcoming Nov. 8 election with incumbent Republican Commissioner Jack Cagle facing Democratic challenger Lesley Briones.
Candidates were asked to keep responses under 75 words, answer the questions provided and avoid attacking opponents. Answers may have been edited or cut to adhere to those guidelines, or for style and clarity. For more information about voting in Harris County, visit www.harrisvotes.com.
Why are you running for the role of county commissioner?
I am running for commissioner because I love service, and there’s no better way to serve the public than through the role of a Harris County commissioner, whether it be through working to reduce the risk of flooding, fixing potholes, working with law enforcement to provide public safety, maintaining our parks or working to ease the burden of taxes on the taxpayers.
What is the biggest issue facing Harris County right now, and how do you plan to address it?
The largest issue facing Harris County is public safety. We need to ensure all components of our criminal justice system, from patrol and community policing to arrest, prosecution and sentencing, work together to allow us to clear the criminal court case backlog and guarantee that those who hurt their neighbors can no longer do harm.
How will you work with your colleagues on the court to get things done?
I will continue to advocate for the basic services of the county, to vote to seek more boots on the ground, to have more robust community policing, so those who are most hurt by crime have available to them law enforcement personnel that they know and trust. I will also work with my fellow members of Commissioners Court to make sure that our flooding and transportation issues are adequately addressed.
How will you balance meeting the county’s infrastructure needs with ensuring the health and well-being of county residents?
A common phrase that we heard during the pandemic was that every day was a Saturday in our parks. I believe that it’s critical that we have adequate park space and that our park spaces achieve multiple purposes. Most of our parks serve a public safety/flood control component, while also providing recreational opportunities and serving as places to preserve beautiful wildlife.
How will you tackle the criminal court case backlog and the overcrowding at the county jail?
We need to adequately fund our detention officers, the District Attorney’s Office to push cases through the system and our judges so they can manage the caseloads. As a former judge who tried over 727 jury trials, I understand what it takes to get a case through the court system. I will continue to advocate for our police, prosecutors, and all other aspects of the criminal justice system to ensure they are adequately funded.
Why are you running for the role of county commissioner?
I am running to bring new energy and ideas to make Harris County safer and more affordable. I worked my way through college and law school, and became a nonprofit executive and civil court judge. I will focus on fully investing in law enforcement and improving affordable health care, housing and child care. I am the proud mother of three daughters and will always stand with Texas women in the fight for reproductive health care.
What is the biggest issue facing Harris County right now, and how do you plan to address it?
We have many challenges, but there are two overriding issues: safety and affordability. Like too many of us, I have been a victim of crime. I will work to fund law enforcement, increase neighborhood patrols, invest in crime-fighting technology and prevent crime by interrupting the cycle of violence. I will also work to make life more affordable by cutting the tax rate and bringing down costs for things like health care and housing.
How will you work with your colleagues on the court to get things done?
I am a team player. I will leave partisan politics at the door when I take office. Everyone deserves to be safe from crime. Everyone should be able to afford the necessities of life. I may not always agree with my colleagues, but I will respect them and work in good faith to find solutions for our constituents. The government works for the people, and needs to deliver results to the people it serves.
How will you balance meeting the county’s infrastructure needs with ensuring the health and well-being of county residents?
We must do both. It’s short-sighted and dangerous to prioritize one over the other. The most important thing we can do now to meet our infrastructure needs is to vote for the county infrastructure bonds. They will provide critical funding for public safety, roads, flood control and parks. We must also do everything we can to expand access to affordable health care, especially with inflation on the rise. These are both top priorities for me.
How will you tackle the criminal court case backlog and the overcrowding at the county jail?
I will use my experience as a civil court judge. When other courts faced increased backlogs, I completely cleared my court’s backlog. I support the bipartisan effort to add new criminal courts. Thankfully, we have begun to turn the corner. As progress continues, fewer defendants will be in the jail awaiting trial. I will work closely with Sheriff Ed Gonzalez to provide the resources he needs to effectively manage the jail.
