Photo: MANDEL NGAN
We've got some new polling from the University of Houston, and it shows that Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo has the lowest approval rating of any other elected county official. Her net approval came in at just four percent.
This signals a broad collapse in support among not just Republicans, but also Democrats and Independents. Harris County GOP Chair Cindy Siegel pointed out that she has made plenty of enemies on both sides of the aisle. She pointed out that, "At the commissioners court, we've seen her curse other commissioners out, including Democratic commissioners."
Siegel says her lack of leadership during many of Harris County's recent natural disasters and rising crime issues has also turned voters off to her. Siegel said, "Safety has not been one of her issues at all. She'd rather do guaranteed income programs."
Hidalgo still has yet to announce whether or not she'll actually seek a third term, with many speculating that she might step back to focus on her mental health, something that she's struggled very publicly with over the last several years.
Siegel says if Hidalgo does attempt to win another four years as judge, her poor record and reputation could wind up hurting her fellow Democrats down-ballot. She said, "I think you're going to see Commissioner Briones and Commissioner Garcia try to separate themselves from her if she does run."
She expects the Democrats will do everything they can to keep her off the general election ballot in November because they know she's a vulnerability for them.