Free Republic

Three top staffers for a high-profile Texas Democrat were indicted Monday on felony charges in connection with the alleged rigging an $11 million bid for COVID vaccine-outreach services. Judge Lina Hidalgo serves in Harris County, Texas, the heavily-populated county that includes the City of Houston. Although Hidalgo is called a “judge,” her position functions primarily as the county’s chief executive, and she oversees a sizable budget. Hidalgo’s chief of staff Alex Triantaphyllis, policy director Wallis Nader, and former senior advisor Aaron Dunn, were investigated and indicted for allegedly tampering with government documents and misusing official information in connection with a...

The Harris County elections commissioner is resigning after 10,000 uncounted ballots for last week’s primary were discovered, according to an announcement posted online on Monday. “Today I am submitting my resignation, effective July 1,” Isabel Longoria said in the announcement. “I think this date ensures that there is a presiding officer during the May and June elections and allows the election commission the time they need to find a replacement. I remain committed to the office and its mission and hope to aid in defeating harmful rhetoric to ensure successful elections in the future.” It’s not clear exactly why Longoria...

HOUSTON — After warnings of an omicron surge over the holidays, Harris County has reported its first death caused by the omicron variant of COVID-19. It's also the first known omicron death reported nationwide.County Judge Lina Hidalgo made the announcement during an afternoon news conference. "My phone was ringing, I'm sure you guys noticed, and it was our public health director telling me we just had our first omicron-related death," she said.According to Hidalgo, the patient was a man in his 50s who was not vaccinated and had an underlying health condition. He lived in Precinct 2.

Today, Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo and commissioners of Harris County appointed Texas Democratic Party Finance Chair Chris Hollins as Harris County Clerk. The county clerk is the county’s chief election officer and is responsible for administering elections in Harris County, the third-largest county in the country. Texas Democratic Party Chair Gilberto Hinojosa and Vice Chair Dr. Carla Brailey issued the following statement: “The Texas Democratic Party is proud Chris Hollins will take the next step in his commitment to public service and the people of Texas. “Chris will build on the progress started by Dr. Diane Trautman and will...

The Houston Police Officers’ Union unleashed on liberal Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo for imposing a “Draconian” mask order. “Now we want to be very clear, HPOU believes everyone should be wearing a mask in public, in order to protect themselves from the virus and we are encouraging all of our officers to wear a mask. However, we draw the line…” the police union said in a Twitter post. Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo, a “proud progressive,” on Wednesday will be making it mandatory for anyone over the age of 10 to wear a mask in public in response to...