Some discussion site on Houston politics said McConn was a Republican, as was his 1977 opponent, Frank Briscoe, but McConn won because he was to the left of Briscoe and got Dem support in the runoff.
http://www.houstonarchitecture.com/haif/topic/22723-mayor-politics/
A Frank “Chip” Briscoe Jr. is the rat nominee this year in CD 22.
His bio mentions his family has “been in the DA’s office”, but he seems to be talking about Ford Bend County.