The Travis County district attorneys office has a tense history with Republican politicians in Texas and has been accused of politicization. Austin is a Democratic bastion in a solidly Republican state.
Lehmbergs predecessor, Ronnie Earle, indicted then-Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison (R) for allegedly misusing state resources when she was the state treasurer. The prosecution crumbled on the first day of trial. Earle also brought a case against then-House whip Tom DeLay (R), for violations of Texas campaign finance laws. The conviction was overturned.
Travis County Texas is Marin County / San Francisco combined