On Judge Hidalgo
Yeah, go on ahead and say Hidalgone, Hidalgoing, Hidalgover, if it gets you a lot of clicks and laughs. She in the featured photo is going to continue to lead Harris County government for the next 15 months.
Judge Lina Hidalgo was the only Democrat to file for Harris County Judge in late 2017. In a county with close to five million folks, she was the only Democrat who had the guts to run. She was a complete unknown. She then knocked off an incumbent in the 2018 general election. Her victory helped give us a Democratic majority on Harris County Commissioners Court for the first time in decades. If she had not filed for office in 2017 and Democrats had given then County Judge Ed Emmett a free ride – well, you get the picture.
She was the local face for the pushback against the bullying by MAGA Gov. Greg Abbott during the pandemic. She probably help save a few lives during COVID-19 peak era. She withstood fierce attacks and a ton of MAGA dough and won reelection in 2022.
She has been a role model for young Latinas contemplating public service.
Have I agreed with her on all her policies, positions, actions, and statements? Of course not.
Has she been treated differently and come under more scrutiny because she is a Latina and immigrant? Of course, without question.
She was upfront with all of us on her mental health challenges. Now that took courage, courage most folks don’t have.
I appreciate her contributions and service.
Now she is going out on her own terms. Take that.
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Here is what Charles Kuffner had to say about Judge Hidalgo:
While it was certainly stunning to wake up to this story yesterday morning, I can’t say it’s a surprise. I’ve been noting Judge Hidalgo’s lack of fundraising, especially compared to where she was at the same time in the 2022 cycle, for some time, which led me to conclude that she was acting like someone who did not intend to run again. She got a boost in funds from legal fees being reimbursed, but that’s not the same thing. At this point, I would have been more surprised if she had said she was running again.
Which is not to say that I’m happy about any of this. I have a tremendous amount of respect and admiration for Judge Hidalgo. I voted for her because I wanted a change of direction in Harris County, and I got what I wanted. She did a terrific job and has helped make Harris County government more responsive, more ambitious, more progressive, more equitable, more modern. And I don’t know how you can talk about the obstacles she faced without talking about the fierce resistance she got from the state government, often laced with withering disrespect and contempt, as if they were insulted to have to be bothered with this young Democratic Latina. Yes, the more recent turmoil was of the intramural variety. But let’s not forget what she went through in her first term, please.
As to what she might do next, I can see another run for office in her future, when the right opportunity arises. I’d rather not speculate at this time, but I assume she will find a new position that’s still involved with politics or policy or both, and that will give her the time and the chance to figure out where she wants to go next. I do think she’s ready to do something else – as noted, it has looked for some time like she was not planning to run again – and I wish her all the best with whatever that is.
Here is all of Off the Kuff:Judge Hidalgo will not run for re-election | Off the Kuff.
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“Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid,” “The Candidate,” “The Sting,” “The Way We Were,” “Three Days of the Condor,” “All the President’s Men,” “The Electric Horseman,” “The Natural,” “Out of Africa,” “Sneakers,” and “Up Close & Personal” are a few of my favorite Robert Redford flicks that he starred in.
“Ordinary People,” “The Milagro Beanfield War,” “A River Runs Through It,” “Quiz Show,” and “The Legend of Bagger Vance” are a few of my favorite flicks that Robert Redford directed.
He was a great American and one of the best ever in the film business. A giant for sure.
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I learned on “Today” this morning that the Hallmark Channel will kickoff its Christmas season flicks on Friday, October 17. That is in one month or two weeks before Halloween. Nice
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That was a close call last night at Daikin Park. We jumped to a 6-0 lead and ended up winning 6-5. We are half a game behind the Mariners in the AL West. We have 10 games left to play and wrap up the series with the Rangers this evening at Daikin Park.