I hate to write this.
I’ve been a Democrat ever since 1992. I’ve been involved with the party for over 30 years so it deeply pains me to call for the resignation of Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo.
Hidalgo entered politics in 2018 with an upset victory over Judge Ed Emmett by the sim margin of only 1000 votes. I was skeptical of her lack of political or elected experience especially when running against Emmett, who was very experienced, knowledgeable, and performed honorably. It was his race to lose, and he did. He took the 29-year-old, inexperienced candidate too lightly and lost.
Hidalgo, within months of her inauguration was faced with significant challenges including the freeze of 2021, the chemical tank fires near Deer Park, and especially the COVID pandemic. In every instance she handled the challenges with leadership and poise. During the pandemic Hidalgo provided what was sorely missing from elected officials at the state and federal level, she acted like an adult. She took action to protect Houstonians by shutting down the rodeo to prevent the spread of the virus. She took tremendous criticism from the public for it especially those who make a living at the rodeo. It was a difficult, but right decision. When our county desperately needed leadership, she stood up and led.
In those few months she proved to those who doubted her, including me, that she was up to the job of running the 3rd largest county in the entire United States. In 2022 she won re-election even though being challenged with legal issues concerning COVID funding. District Attorney Kim Ogg’s, political sniping didn’t help. Ogg on several occasions has made headlines on issues that should have been handled behind the scenes and like adults. She contributed to the sometimes-bumpy road by her baseless investigation concerning voting fraud in the 2022 election. Hidalgo has had other minor issues concerning her relationships with her peers which she tends to express publicly in a not so helpful manner.
Hidalgo has since been out of the office to address a mental health issue. As anyone who has experienced depression, including me, it can slowly creep up on you and can have horrible consequences if left untreated. Hidalgo should be commended for taking that step to address the issue and seek the help she needed. She is now expected to return to the office on October 2.
On October 2 her first agenda item should be to stand up and step down as County Judge. I ask that she consider this for the sake of all her constituents in Harris County. Over the last few months we have suffered enough especially after the 2022 elections. Hidalgo beat her opponent, Alexandra Mealer by over 18,000 votes even after being out spent 5 to 1. Mealer’s donors spent nearly $10 Million dollars trying to oust her and failed. Mealer eventually conceded but on the last day to file a challenge to the election, the election denier came through with a frivolous lawsuit whining about losing the election. She has since dropped her suit.
This constant whining by Mealer, her supporters, and every election denier that yells “RIGGED!” needs to stop and the only way that can happen is for Lina Hidalgo to resign. The citizens of Harris County can then crown Mealer as the new Judge. We can put a pretty tiara on her head, present her a beautiful golden scepter, and give her a much-deserved participation trophy. We can have a parade for her with honorees like Ted Cruz, Mattress Mac, and the entire Republican Party. And the whining would stop.
For the love of all that is holy, Judge Hidalgo, please do us a huge favor and resign so we don’t have to hear Mealer and her whiny little bitches whine anymore.
Welcome to Satire Sunday.