Photo: Joe Raedle / Getty Images News / Getty Images
If you thought Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo would apologize for her behavior at Commissioners Court last week, you were wrong.
Hidalgo sat down with our TV partner Channel Two for an extended interview Tuesday, her first comments since she stormed out of last week's meeting when the other commissioners would not approve her idea to raise property taxes for what she called early childhood education.
After she walked out, the rest of the court voted to censure her.
Hidalgo said, “I do acknowledge I curse a little too much, but people know that I’m not a well-manicured talking points politician, just myself, and I’m not going to change that.”
Precinct Three Republican Tom Ramsey told Houston's morning news last week that he would look at removing Hidalgo from office. The judge responded, daring Ramsey to follow through.
She referred to Commissioner Ramsey’s announcement seeking her removal following a censure vote as “a torpedo into the heart of democracy in the state of Texas” and “an affront to democratic principles writ large.” She added, "If Commissioner Ramsey or anybody would like to change that... election season’s ramping up and I invite them to run against me.”
That is the first clue that Hidalgo plans to run for a third term, even though she hasn't made anything official.
When asked about whether she plans to run for re-election, Hidalgo said she wasn’t ready to comment but stressed that anyone who qualifies is free to run. She also challenged her critics, including Commissioner Ramsey, to put their support to the test in the upcoming election rather than seeking to remove her through other means.
At least two Democrats have already announced runs, including former Houston Mayor Annise Parker. Houston Firefighters Union Chief Marty Lancton will reportedly launch a campaign of his own as a Republican.
You can watch the entire interview from our TV interview below and listen to Ramsey's interview with Houston's Morning News as well.