Travis County District Attorney Ronnie Earle announced his endorsement of
Rosemary Lehmberg on Monday, saying her judgment and experience make her the
best candidate to take his place. Larry Kolvoord, American-Statesman
Posted on 01/09/2008 10:00:32 AM PST by flattorney
- - Ronnie Earle says Rosemary Lehmberg is best of four assistants running for post.
Saying he has a duty after more than 30 years in office to tell the public what he thinks, departing Travis County District Attorney Ronnie Earle announced Monday that he is endorsing his top deputy, Rosemary Lehmberg, in the race to replace him. The decision came as no surprise to courthouse watchers and the three other Democratic candidates for Earle's job, they said. Assistant District Attorney Gary Cobb, 46, one of those candidates, said it would have been "a slap in the face" if Earle had not supported Lehmberg, who has worked for him since shortly after Earle became district attorney, the past 10 years as his top deputy.
Courthouse insiders say the move gives Lehmberg an early advantage in the March 4 primary. There is no Republican candidate, so the Democratic primary probably will determine who will be Travis County's next top prosecutor, barring a surprise third party or independent candidate. Earle's endorsement, announced at a news conference outside the downtown Blackwell-Thurman Criminal Justice Center, "will be very helpful for (Lehmberg) in getting votes and raising money," said First Assistant County Attorney Randy Leavitt, who had considered running for district attorney. "But I don't think (the endorsement) is the death knell of any of the other candidates in the race."
In addition to Lehmberg and Cobb, a 17-year Earle assistant, two other Earle assistants — Mindy Montford and Rick Reed — are seeking to replace him. Reed, 52, an Earle assistant for 10 years, said, "This is an endorsement, not a coronation." Montford, 37, who joined Earle's staff in 1999, said the office needs "fresh ideas and new leadership." Lehmberg was conspicuously absent from the news conference; Earle said she had the day off to campaign. Lehmberg, 58, was a late entrant to the race.
Before she was named Earle's top assistant, Lehmberg led nearly all of the office's top divisions, including the child abuse and public integrity units. Earle said Lehmberg's judgment and experience make her the best candidate. "The single most important thing a leader can do is set a tone of integrity and respect and open discussion," Earle said. "Rosemary Lehmberg has done that every day for many years." Earle said he had not made a decision about whether he would campaign or raise money for Lehmberg. On Sunday, he said he was close to lending his name for fundraising on the Internet. At the news conference, he said that any Internet fundraising would not be partisan and would happen only if it served to promote justice, democracy and the rule of law.
Earle's name carries weight with Democrats nationally, who admire him for prosecuting Tom DeLay, the former Republican U.S. House majority leader from Sugar Land, in connection with his conduct during the 2002 elections. An indictment accusing DeLay of violating state election laws was thrown out by the courts, but a money-laundering indictment is pending from the same campaign events. Lehmberg said she has not talked with Earle about his taking a specific role in her campaign but hopes that he will participate.
Travis County District Attorney Ronnie Earle announced his endorsement of
Rosemary Lehmberg on Monday, saying her judgment and experience make her the
best candidate to take his place. Larry Kolvoord, American-Statesman
Posted for FlAttorney by TAB
Ronnie Earle leaving????
....then his had pick replacement must be a lying sack of $h1t also.
You’ve got that right. Republicans candidates haven’t tried to file for that DA position. There are way too many RATs in Travis county.
I wish some pubie would at least throw his hat in the ring. No guts, no glory!
.....then Colonel Travis must be turning over in his grave.
IIRC, there was one about three or four elections ago. Don’t remember the name, but there was one. I’m with you though. He/She would get most of the votes in my area.
Sorry, there aren’t any Repubs in Travis county; it’s a one party Marxist state. Elections are a sham. Dissent isn’t tolerated.
“His handling of the grand jury in the Delay case was clearly criminal. He should be the one behind bars.”
That would be unconstitutional. Earle’s a Democrat!
There are plenty of Republicans in Travis County--the problem seems to be that a lot of them aren't fired up.
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