New poll reveals tougher path to reelection for Hidalgo: 'We’ve said from the beginning this would be a close race'

A poll conducted by the University of Houston (UH) Hobby School of Public Affairs shows that the race for Harris County judge could come down to the wire in the fall, according to a report from Houston CBS affiliate KHOU. 

According to KHOU, the poll, which was released on Thursday, indicates that incumbent Lina Hidalgo may have a harder time securing a second term as the chief executive of Texas’ largest county since she holds a 1% lead over her Republican challenger, Alexandra del Moral Mealer. 

Forty-eight percent of respondents prefer Hidalgo, a Democrat, compared to 47% who back Mealer, with 5% undecided, per the poll, KHOU reported.

Houston NBC affiliate KPRC reported that over 66% of the county’s likely voters are concerned with crime and public safety and government corruption when it comes to electing a county judge.

Hidalgo heads into the November contest with the fallout from a criminal investigation into a failed COVID-19 vaccine contract weighing over her reelection campaign in addition to her highly-publicized feud with Harris County District Attorney (DA) and fellow Democrat Kim Ogg.

According to KHOU, the poll’s participants view Mealer, a veteran who graduated from the U.S. Military Academy, as the most suited to address increasing crime in the county and are dissatisfied with the current county leadership.

Mealer said in a statement distributed to the media that the poll reflects a clash between Hidalgo’s administration and the citizens.

“Crime and corruption are the top issues for Harris County voters, and she has failed miserably on both,” the GOP county judge hopeful said. “We all deserve to live in communities of which we are proud and in which we feel safe. I look forward to continuing to bring my mission of putting families first to every voter in Harris County.”

Hidalgo’s camp also released a statement in regard to the UH poll.

“We’ve said from the beginning this would be a close race. Lina Hidalgo has successfully led Harris County through chemical fires, floods, the winter freeze and a global pandemic – all while overhauling how the county tackles flooding and making record-breaking investments in fighting crime and tackling homelessness,” the statement reads.

The poll also looks at the Texas gubernatorial race from the Harris County perspective, with 51% of likely voters supporting Democratic challenger Beto O’Rourke and 42% backing Gov. Greg Abbott, who is seeking a third term, KPRC reported.