Posted on 07/27/2015 7:21:54 PM PDT by don-o
Waco police Sgt. W. Patrick Swanton will run against incumbent McLennan County Sheriff Parnell McNamara in the 2016 election, documents show.
Swanton filed a report on July 17 designating a campaign treasurer, identified as Kneeley D. Lawdermilk, for the election.
As the face of the Waco Police Department, Swanton’s public profile increased significantly during the national media influx surrounding the May 17 Twin Peaks shooting, during which he gave dozens of television interviews reaching national audiences.
“I am excited about giving McLennan County voters an option for a candidate with trusted leadership skills, tested experience and a true commitment to fulfilling the role of sheriff,” Swanton said Monday.
He added that he was approached after he handled some press in the aftermath of the explosion at the West Fertilizer Co. on April 17, 2013, by people who were impressed by his communication skills and ability to handle a crisis.
“I started mulling it back then, and, as time passed, I became more convinced of my passion and desire to run for sheriff and provide a service to McLennan County that I think is lacking,” Swanton said.
He would not speak more specifically about what he believes the community is currently lacking but said he will elaborate further when he officially launches his campaign in a “couple of weeks.”
Swanton noted that while negotiating the press after the Twin Peaks shooting showed the community his skills, his mind was already made up at that point.
He added, “I’m very happy where I am right now, I really love what I’m doing for the Waco Police Department, I just think I can expand and provide to a larger population with what I’m capable of doing.”
“I love this community, and I feel like I have so much more to offer,” Swanton continued. “Right now I’m kind of bound by the City of Waco borders.”
Swanton will have been with the Waco Police Department for 35 years in October, he said.
McNamara confirmed that he will seek re-election for the post and said that Swanton called him for a meeting last week to deliver his news in person.
“I went by his house and he told me,” McNamara said. “Anybody can run. I’m going to continue to run and continue to do everything I can for the sheriff’s office and the citizens of this county to keep them safe.”
He added, “I’ve got tremendous support out there and the citizens are behind me, and I certainly take that to heart. Our motto is ‘Your safety comes first,’ and we believe in that. I tell our guys to read that motto before they ever read ‘sheriff’ on the car.
“I’m going to continue to do everything we can to keep the heat turned up on the criminals and keep the citizens safe. I assure you I’m going to do that,” he added.
McNamara, a former longtime deputy U.S. marshal, replaced retiring Sheriff Larry Lynch after winning a hard-fought Republic primary election in spring 2012, then defeating a Democratic challenger in November.
Candidates for the 2016 sheriff election must file their applications between November 14, 2015 and December 14, 2015, according to the election page of the Texas Secretary of State website.
The primary election date is March 1, 2016, with a runoff date of May 24. The general election date in 2016 is Nov. 8.
Do you suppose that the full slate of lawsuits against the city will be filed by the time voters get to decide?
Or perhaps the better question is will the civil rights of the 100+ who are being held without due process be restored by then?
Interesting timing...
I suspect Swineton over-rates his current importance and what the voters will think of him by next year.
I thought that Swanson was removed as spokesman for the Waco fiasco after he proved incapable of keeping his lies straight-—a skill very important for a politician. Anyhow, I guess this slug is looking toward becoming a “double-dipper” from the government trough.
Failing to see how even don’t0 could remotely turn this mundane story into something sympathetic to the criminal bike gangs. Betcha ya can’t.
If you guys look a wee bit past your noses, you would see that the citizens of Waco are happy as larks with your criminal biker gang folks remaining locked away. Maybe a bit like in California after the Angles showed their arses one too many times, it was unsafe for any gang biker with colors, people trying to run em over.
“Isn’t that special?”
Yes, it’s always important to have a spokes mouth who can stand in front of the camera and tell lies without appearing dishonest. A smooth liar is always someone who is held in high regard by the public!
Look honey, it’s the cop who lied about those bikers that were shot dead at Twin Peaks that Sunday afternoon. Let’s vote for him! He is so believable, I like the way he lies to me with a strait face! What a talent, reminds me of the Clintons or even the master of untruths, Obama!
Yea, that’s a vote getter for sure/S
...and still no coroner’s report.
X= has been.
Spurt= drip under pressure.
“Or perhaps the better question is will the civil rights of the 100+ who are being held without due process be restored by then?”
They are all out on bond ... per their due process.
“Forty years ago it would have been “dope smoking longhair hippies”
Forty years ago it was still ‘criminal biker gang’.
“Karma’s an unforgiving bitch”
I guess all those that joined those criminal biker gangs are feeling it now.
” strait “
Straight?
Thanks for pointing out the spelling typo, you damn spelling nazi!
Feeling important now?
Oh look. Monica's Dress Spurt has her panties in a bunch over a sheriff election.
| "We even made little Visigoth babies of our own with the absolutely hottest ones. I recall riding that old panhead down South Woodward and just taking my pick of the long-legged ones with tossing hair outside the Collegiate Ministry." |  |
Silly child wants to make it about me. Cannot get over the fact that his / her pathetic efforts to kill all discussion of Waco just did not work out for him / her.
Let’s not feed the leftist freak Hussein-licking trolls today.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.