HOUSTON - One of the most shocking outcomes from the midterm elections in Harris County came in the race for county judge.
Long-term incumbent Ed Emmett was unseated by first-time Democratic candidate Lina Hidalgo.
Hidalgo will be sworn in as county judge next year.
For some, her victory came as a complete surprise. However, if you ask the 27-year-old. it’s something she and her supporters saw coming.
“Watching the results was, of course, exciting, but none of this was an accident," Hidalgo said. "We’ve been working hard at it for 15 months.”
Through TV ads, digital media and going door-to-door, Hidalgo rallied support to become the first Latina to be voted in as Harris County judge.
“We targeted our base, but really what happened this year was people realizing that our democracy depends on our participation and stepping up and taking matters into their own hands,” Hidalgo said.
She was inspired to run after the 2016 election. She said the country felt divided and wanted to do her part.
“It was my time to step up and run," Hidalgo said. "I never thought I’d work in politics. I never thought I’d run for office, and I’m so proud and honored to have the support of our community and ready to get to work for everyone.”
She was born in Colombia, and her family immigrated to the U.S. in 2005. She graduated from Stanford University in 2013 with a degree in political science and became a U.S. Citizen.
Her goal is to make county government work for everyone.
“We’re all in it together,” Hidalgo said. “When there’s a flood, we’re all in it together. We have much more that unite us then divide us as folks say.”
Hidalgo has worked for the Texas Civil Rights Project and as an interpreter at the Texas Medical Center.
She’s more than ready to start this new chapter of her life.
Even though she’s never held a public office, Hidalgo believes she’s capable of doing the job and doing it right.
“Of course no newly elected official has experience in that position. I’m not unique in that,” she said.
When it comes to the future, her goals are to build a transparent government that represents everyone.
“I’m surrounding myself with the smartest people and getting ready to build a government that truly reflects the values our community,” Hidalgo said.
She believes issues like transportation, healthcare and flood recovery are nonpartisan.
She wants to address the county’s flooding problems.
“It’s not a wide net all across Harris County, and so that’s where we need to listen to the experts,” Hidalgo said. “We’ve got to listen to the science, and we’ve got to listen to the community.”
Current county judge Ed Emmett helped spearhead the movement that helped pass a $2.5 billion flood control bond in August.
Hidalgo wants to continue to build a stellar staff that will be ready to protect the community.
“Fundamentally, we have to make sure that as we recover from the last flood and we prepare for the next one that we’re doing so equitably so the project list is not binding," Hidalgo said. "Making sure that the decisions of where the money goes, why and where it goes first are made hand-in-hand with the community.”
She said the money has to be spent in a smart way.
When it comes to other issues like the Astrodome’s revitalization, Hidalgo wants to continue to see the work done but also wants to see the community’s involvement.