Judge receives ethics fine after endorsing a primary candidate at a Harris County press conference

The Texas Ethics Commission says Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo violated state law when she endorsed a candidate challenging District Attorney Kim Ogg during a press conference that used public funds. Hidalgo endorsed Sean Teare at a November press conference held at the Harris County Administration building. A resolution issued Tuesday says Hidalgo acknowledged she used public resources and agreed to pay a $500 fine. Hidalgo said Wednesday that the commission “asked for a $500 penalty after recognizing the situation was a minimal issue." Teare went on to defeat Ogg and will face Republican Dan Simons in November.