(Former Judge of the 299th District Court, Charlie Baird is running for Travis County District Attorney against Rosemary Lehmberg. - promoted by Karl-Thomas Musselman)
If you haven't seen the ads our campaign ran in the Austin Chronicle and The Villager this week-and if you haven't, you can see the ad here-let me tell you what our campaign is doing that has everyone talking.
We're asking you, the voters of Travis County, what you believe would make the administration of justice better in Travis County. What ideas or innovations would you propose to help bring about justice that works for everyone if YOU had the chance? Please take a moment and tell us.
Once you've had a chance to do that, I encourage you to take a few more minutes and take our brief online survey about the justice system in Travis County.
What you think-and your ideas-are very important to me and to this campaign. In a system of government such as ours, we need to listen to what citizens have to say and not just brush it off, but rather take action and welcome good, new ideas. As I prepare to make my final decision on whether or not to file for a place on the March primary ballot, your input is critical.
Together, I believe we can bring reform and change to the criminal justice system in Travis County and bring about justice that works for everyone.
(KXAN has covered this story now as well. There are so many layers to this but Fred presents new angle that hasn't really been talked about. - promoted by Karl-Thomas Musselman)
I, as most political folks know, am a strong proponent of enforcing Texas' campaign finance laws. But I don't think legally there is anything to Terry Keel's criminal complaint filed against Kelly Fero. The complaint is about politics, in my view.
Fero's comment about Keel in the Austin Political Report--whether true or false-- doesn't constitute "political advertising" under Texas Election Code Section 255. Political advertising must contain express advocacy or electioneering, which I interpret broadly.
Fero's statements aren't electioneering under any defintion. Fero wrote that Keel stated his highest priority is electing Montford, and not his sister-in-law, and then Fero made a tepid joke about in-laws being a pain. His e-blurb may be false (I have no idea), but it clearly isn't directly or indirectly supporting or opposing a candidate. The criminal complaint is nothing but a giant distraction.
Even if the statute applied, I don't think the source of the comment is misrepresented. The organizational source is clearly stated as the Austin Political Report; the statute doesn't require that the person who wrote the statement for the organization be revealed. And there is no evidence Lehmberg's campaign authorized Fero's statement. In short, Fero may have been playing political games--and you may wish to criticize him for that-- but his conduct isn't criminal.
This is a very little tempest in a teapot. The real issue--which I do think is important-- is Montford's close ties to the Capitol lobby crowd and her receipt of 60 contributions from lobbyists. That does raise serious issues for me about her independence. But the voters will decide that for themselves.
Republican Terry Keel-- Craddick's parlimentarian and an integral part of the May 2007 Craddick autocracy-- has made electing Mindy Montford Travis County DA his top priority. Keel "told a group this weekend that the 'number one priority right now is Mindy, not Donna,'" according to the Austin Political Report online.
Keel and Republicans understand that with Craddick's sleazy, questionable campaign finance practices the value in electing Montford, who is inexperienced, ambitious for higher office, and backed by special interests.
Montford has received over $11,000 from identified large Republican donors and $30,000 from over 60 identified Capitol lobbyists, who usually have no interest in a DA race. And employees of ATT, where her Dad is head of Governmental Affairs, have given over $47,000. And Republican consultants have been overhead talking about the need to support Montford.
Republicans and special interests don't want Rosemary Lehmberg to be DA because she has 31 years of prosecutorial experience, has been First Assistant for years, is not backed by special interests, and is not using the DA's race as a stepping stone for higher office. That is why current DA Ronnie Earle endorsed Rosemary.
Republicans know the importance of the Travis DA's Public Integrity Unit and having an inexperienced, malleable, beholden DA like Mindy Montford. Let's hope Travis County Democrats know what is at stake and vote in the Democratic runoff election, which begins today?
Last night several different Austin Democratic clubs participated in a combined candidate forum. All four DA candidates were present for questions. Three of the candidates were asked a question related to the death penalty, with exception of Rosemary Lehmberg. So far no one has publicly supported a moratorium on seeking the death penalty in Travis County. Rick Reed seems to be the only candidate to question the death penalty and possibility of executing an innocent person. Videos are posted below.
