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TOP STORIES
FridayNovember202009



x59
Republicans pass on Travis County DA race
1/2/2008 11:16 PM
By: Victor Diaz

Travis County DA's office  
After more than three decades as the Travis County District Attorney, Democrat Ronnie Earle's seat is up for grabs.

It won't be taken by a Republican since no one from the GOP filed to run in the March primary.

The main watchdog position in Texas will stay in the hands of Democrats.

"Obviously the issue that sets this particular district attorney position apart from any other in the state of Texas is the presence of the Public Integrity Unit," Travis County Democratic Chairman Chris Elliott said.

The district attorney doubles as the primary ethics enforcer for the state government.

Republicans often criticized Earle for prosecutions they felt were politically motivated, none more prominent than investigations against former House Majority Leader Tom Delay.

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No GOP DA

The filing deadline for Travis County's March primaries passed Wednesday night with no GOP candidate for District Attorney.



House Parliamentarian Terry Keel was considered a prime Republican candidate for district attorney. He's a former Travis County Sheriff and one of the few Republicans to win a county-wide office.

But Keel told us he declined to run because he felt obligated to focus on his current position.

Quorum Report's political expert Harvey Kronberg said any Republican candidate for district attorney would be long shot for election but there might be some common ground between the parties.

"All of the Democrats or non-partisan candidates that have stepped forward so far are more mechanics about prosecution than they are about visionaries and crusading prosecutors and so I think that's given Republicans some comfort level," Kronberg said.

But the Democrats sit most comfortable, knowing one of there candidates will follow in Earle's footsteps.

"He prosecuted Democrats, he prosecuted Republicans and I think that's what the public is going to expect of his successor that the office won't be used for partisan political purposes and I fully expect our candidates will do that," Elliott said.

Four members of the Democratic Party will face off in the primary for district attorney.

Travis County voters go to the polls March 4.



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Troubled Waters
News 8's Jenna Hiller explored the troubled waters in Central Texas and traveled down the Colorado River in search of information. Click on the links to watch, read and interact.

Part 1: Regional cooperation drying out
Part 2: Texas rice farmer takes on water wars
Part 3: Security of supply saturates perception
Part 4: Bad news travels near and far
Part 5: Bad news travels near and far

Where does your water come from?

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