Photo: FRANCOIS PICARD
The midterms are already picking up here in Harris County. Multiple Republicans have now thrown their hats into the ring to challenge left-wing Democratic County Judge Lina Hidalgo for her seat next November, and you can expect more candidates to emerge over the coming months.
The only question now is whether the two-term incumbent Judge, who has publicly lashed out at her colleagues on Commissioners Court and faced very public mental health challenges, will attempt to secure a third term as County Judge for one of the largest and most populous counties in the United States.
According to political analyst Vlad Davidiuk, there’s a good chance she doesn’t even make it onto the ballot. He said, 'She may become so overwhelmed that she decides to withdraw. She could also be persuaded to withdraw by her handlers.'
If she does decide to run for a third term, Davidiuk says she will face a tough challenge from the Republican side, where Piney Point Township’s Mayor Aliza Dutt has launched her campaign. Davidiuk says, 'Mayor Dutt is coming in with energy and momentum, really trying to build up a movement that can unseat Judge Hidalgo.'
Houston businessman Warren Howell has also launched a campaign for County Judge, which, according to his campaign website, focuses on bringing DOGE to Harris County, restoring law and order, and putting 'an end to the regular spectacle that Commissioners Court has become.'
Davidiuk also spoke to the likelihood of Judge Hidalgo having to face a primary opponent from some of her fellow Democrats, saying, 'I think it’s highly likely that there’s going to be a Democratic challenger. A lot of the talk right now has been about former Houston Mayor Annise Parker, who has garnered a lot of support on the left.'