Current:Home > InvestGOP candidate challenging election loss in race to lead Texas’ most populous county drops lawsuit-InfoLens
GOP candidate challenging election loss in race to lead Texas’ most populous county drops lawsuit
View Date:2024-12-23 14:40:41
HOUSTON (AP) — The highest profile Republican candidate who had sued seeking to overturn election results in the nation’s third-most populous county, a Democratic stronghold in deeply red Texas, has dropped her lawsuit.
Alexandra del Moral Mealer was one of 21 GOP candidates who had filed lawsuits challenging their losses in November’s election in Harris County, where Houston is located. Most of the lawsuits were filed by candidates who lost judicial races.
The first trial related to the lawsuits — in which a candidate blamed her defeat on ballot shortages and allegations that illegal votes were cast — took place in August. A ruling in that lawsuit is pending.
Mealer had lost her bid to become Harris County judge, the county’s top elected official who deals with spending and is in charge of local emergency response. She lost by more than 18,000 votes to Lina Hidalgo, the Democratic incumbent.
In a statement on Thursday, Mealer said she dropped her lawsuit because the county pushed back on her efforts to get a full accounting of problems during November’s election.
Last year’s midterm election experienced various problems, including paper ballot shortages and some polling locations opening late or having long lines due to issues with voting machines.
“My goal in filing an election contest was not to relitigate my race, but rather to make sure future races are fair to all voters and candidates,” Mealer said.
Mealer’s decision came after her original attorney had withdrawn from the case because she did not agree with Mealer’s claims of ballot fraud in the election.
Harris County Attorney Christian Menefee said Mealer “spread conspiracy theories in an attempt to overturn the will of the voters. It’s time for the other losing Republican candidates to drop their lawsuits as well.”
Besides Mealer, another GOP candidate also dropped his lawsuit on Thursday. Another candidate dropped his lawsuit last month. A GOP candidate who lost his race to be a state legislator from the Houston area had his election challenge dismissed in January by the Texas House speaker.
Similar court challenges have become more common around the country following baseless conspiracy theories spread by former President Donald Trump and his supporters alleging the 2020 presidential election was stolen by President Joe Biden’s backers.
Harris County in recent years has become a recurring target of new Texas voting rules and restrictions passed by GOP lawmakers.
Earlier this year, the Texas Legislature passed two election-related laws that only impact Harris County. One allows the state to take over elections in the county if problems recur and the other eliminated the county’s top election office.
___
Follow Juan A. Lozano on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter: https://twitter.com/juanlozano70
veryGood! (3)
Related
- Mike Tyson has lived a wild life. These 10 big moments have defined his career
- Parents arrested after 1-month-old twins were found dead at Houston home in October 2023
- Biden signs bill reauthorizing contentious FISA surveillance program
- 'Sasquatch Sunset' spoilers! Bigfoot movie makers explain the super-weird film's ending
- Indiana in the top five of the College Football Playoff rankings? You've got to be kidding
- What fruits are in season right now? Find these spring picks at a farmer's market near you
- Chicago police officer fatally shot overnight while heading home from work
- Singer Renée Fleming unveils healing powers of music in new book, Music and Mind
- Why California takes weeks to count votes, while states like Florida are faster
- North Korea launches Friendly Father song and music video praising Kim Jong Un
Ranking
- Moana 2 Star Dwayne Johnson Shares the Empowering Message Film Sends to Young Girls
- Zendaya Reacts to That Spider-Man to Tennis Player Movie Prophecy
- In a shocker, David Taylor fails to make Olympic wrestling team. Aaron Brooks earns spot
- 3 passive income streams that could set you up for a glorious retirement
- Today's Craig Melvin Replacing Hoda Kotb: Everything to Know About the Beloved Anchor
- Los Angeles sheriff’s deputy dies months after being injured in fire inside mobile gun range
- QSCHAINCOIN FAQ
- Paris police detain man behind reported bomb threat at Iran consulate
Recommendation
-
GM recalling big pickups and SUVs because the rear wheels can lock up, increasing risk of a crash
-
Tyler Reddick wins NASCAR Talladega race as leaders wreck coming to checkered flag
-
Los Angeles sheriff’s deputy dies months after being injured in fire inside mobile gun range
-
With interest rate cuts delayed, experts offer tips on how to maximize your 401(k)
-
What Republicans are saying about Matt Gaetz’s nomination for attorney general
-
Report urges fixes to online child exploitation CyberTipline before AI makes it worse
-
Texas boy was 7 when he fatally shot a man he didn't know, child tells law enforcement
-
Want to live near your state's top schools? Prepare to pay $300,000 more for your house.