Mindy Montford Announces Major Endorsements in 299th District Court Runoff

by: Karl-Thomas Musselman

Fri Mar 12, 2010 at 10:59 PM CST

Having already raised $25,000 in the week since the March 2nd primary where she led 2nd place finisher Karen Sage 45% to 37%, Montford announced the support of 3rd place finisher Leonard Martinez who had received about 13% of the vote.

Montford also picked up the endorsement of the Mexican American Democrats of Austin, Austin Mayor Lee Leffingwell, County Attorney David Escamilla, County Judge Sam Biscoe, Education Austin President Louis Malfaro, Community Activist Nelson Linder, and the Travis County Sheriff's Corrections Officers- all new since March 2nd. At the event she announced the addition of GNI Strategies to her consulting team. In attendance yesterday (but not necessarily endorsing) were Judge Elizabeth Earle and judicial nominees Cliff Brown and John Lipscombe.

Following Montford's announcement the Karen Sage campaign re-released a list of their previous endorsements which included, but oddly didn't highlight, picking up the endorsement of 4th place finisher Eve Schatelowitz-Alcantar who had received less than 5% of the vote.  

299th District Court: Dual Endorsement for Mindy Montford & Karen Sage

by: Burnt Orange Report

Sat Feb 20, 2010 at 01:15 PM CST

We know that dual endorsements aren't the boldest of decisions. But the 299th District Court race is a four-person field destined for a runoff between Mindy Montford and Karen Sage -- even the supporters of each of those campaigns will tell you that. Montford and Sage deserve to be in a runoff. They are each excellent candidates who bring a lot of talent to this particular race. We also want to notify our readers -- and the campaigns -- that once the race goes into a runoff, we are committed to engaging directly with each campaign, and we will make a firm decision before the runoff.

Before we tell you why voting for either candidate makes sense, we wanted to show you how split the endorsements have been for this race -- and make sure to note that a lot of the votes amongst the clubs were pretty close. Ultimately, we're not the only ones who can't make up our minds:

 Endorsements in the 299th District Court Race

Mindy Montford

• 60% support in Austin Bar Poll (4-way race)
• Senator Kirk Watson, Mayor Pro Tempore Mike Martinez, Rep. Dawnna Dukes, Rep. Patrick Rose, Rep. Eddie Lucio, Rep. Richard Raymond, Hon. Garry Mauro
• BOR Readers
  
• Austin Central Labor Council, Travis County Sheriffs' Law Enforcement Association, Austin Firefighters Association
• Central Austin Democrats, Capital Area Asian American Democrats
• Find full list of supporters here

Karen Sage

• The Austin Chronicle
• Rep. Donna Howard, Rep. Mark Strama, City Council Member Bill Spellman
• Austin Tejano Democrats, Black Austin Democrats
  
• Hispanic Bar Association of Austin
• University Democrats, St. Edward’s College Democrats, Capital City Young Democrats, Capital Area Progressive Democrats, Stonewall Democrats
• North by Northwest Democrats, Northeast Travis County Democrats, South Austin Democrats, West Austin Democrat, Circle C Area Democrats
• Find full list of supporters here

Why You Should Vote For Mindy Montford

Montford worked as Assistant District Attorney for nine years under Ronnie Earle. She worked on the Public Integrity Unit that investigated and ultimately indicted Tom Delay. She also has extensive experience handling cases that would come before the court here in Austin -- which, as her supporters argue, gives her a terrific read/feel for what our community expects when it comes to balancing justice and fairness in trials. Montford can credibly say she has grown up among us, learned among us, and now is ready to give back to the community she's worked in and served in for years.

Montford's support in the Austin Bar Poll is another sign of her strength -- earning 60% in a field of four is an incredible feat. A quick straw poll among the staff confirmed that none of us would get a 60% approval rating from each other. Montford is clearly a leader among her peers, and that level of respect is an important barometer for how Montford develops trust in relationships with colleagues. If you want to decide your vote based on what the people who know the work of the 299th District Court think, then a vote for Montford is for you.

Why You Should Vote for Karen Sage

Sage once knocked on doors for Paul Wellstone. When she joined the Travis County District's office in 2006, she was appointed by Rosemary Lehmberg to create and prosecute cases before the Menal Health District Court with the goal of finding alternative forms of treatment. Her prior work around the country is impressive (read about it on her website), and she has designed and teaches a class on the Ethics of Criminal Law at the University of Texas. Sage has not had as much experience inside the Austin community as Montford, but her endorsements from a wide array of Democratic clubs and organizations has shown that she's been here long enough to earn the trust of many here in Austin.

Anyone who gets the chance to hear Sage speaks about the issues is immediately impressed with how well she explains the various sides to a case, as well as pinpointing and justifying the precise reasons for why she takes action. She will actively discuss her views on the judicial system, and even as she discusses how she has one convictions in all five of her murder cases she has tried, she comes across as thoughtful, understated, and always willing to listen.

Mindy Montford Picks up Early Endorsements After Late Entry

by: Karl-Thomas Musselman

Mon Jan 11, 2010 at 11:37 PM CST

But even when the late start Mindy Montford has gotten out with some early wins in the endorsement process as the AFL-CIO, Austin Central Labor Council and the Travis County Sheriff's Law Enforcement Association (TCSLEA) have endorsed Montford for judge.  

"The AFL-CIO (Austin Central Labor Council) and TCSLEA represent key members of our community from city and county employees to teachers, firefighters, and other union members, and I'm grateful to have their support," says Montford.

"Ms. Montford is an extremely bright and tough individual with experience critical for sitting on the bench in the 299th District Court," says Brett Spicer of the Travis County Sheriff's Law Enforcement Association. "No doubt, Montford is the best candidate for Travis County in this race," he added.

Austin Central Labor Council President David Adamson says Montford received his group's endorsement because of her track record in the community. "Ms. Montford has lived in this area most of her life. She has worked on issues critical to this community and will bring a fair and honest perspective to the bench," he says.

Charges Dropped Against Mindy Montford

by: Karl-Thomas Musselman

Mon Jul 13, 2009 at 08:30 PM CDT

Well, a month later and the PI charge against Montford is being dropped for lack of evidence. Montford is lobbing the ball back at the arresting officer.

Austin American-Statesman: Montford, 38, said she is filing a complaint at the police monitor's office today against the officer who arrested her, Corp. Darryl Fulbright. She said he arrested her in retaliation for advising a friend he didn't have to take a breathalyzer test. "It was an abuse of power," she said.

...

McNelis has said that the driver of a car in which Montford was a passenger hit a pipe in an alley and was pulled over. The driver got out of the car and a police officer requested that he take tests for drunken driving. The driver looked back at the car and said he wanted to ask Montford for help, McNelis said.

McNelis said Montford got out of the car at that time to "advise her friend of his rights."

He said an officer ordered Montford back into the car, where she sat for about 20 minutes, and then came back to the car and arrested her, as well as another passenger, on public intoxication charges. McNelis said that no further investigation was done before the arrest.

Mindy Montford Resigns From District Attorney's Office

by: Karl-Thomas Musselman

Wed May 14, 2008 at 10:27 PM CDT

Austin American-Statesman: "It's time to look at other things," Montford said.

...

Montford said she had a cordial conversation with Lehmberg last week in which they discussed the race. No specific job was offered, Montford said.

"I am not sure there was a place for me," she said.

Montford said she would make a decision on her professional future within a few weeks.

We do wish her well in her future endeavors.  

2008 Primary Runoff Results (liveblog)

by: Karl-Thomas Musselman

Tue Apr 08, 2008 at 08:24 PM CDT

Updates Final

DEMOCRATIC

TEXAS RAILROAD COMMISSIONER
100% of precincts reporting

Dale Henry             81,107   40.83%
Mark Thompson    117,496   59.16% (WINNER)

TEXAS 32nd CONGRESS
100% of precincts reporting

Steve Love            749      27.47%
Eric Roberson     1,977      72.52% (WINNER)

TRAVIS COUNTY DISTRICT ATTORNEY
100% of precincts reporting

Mindy Montford           10,243   34.79%
Rosemary Lehmberg   19,197   65.21% (WINNER: Montford concedes)

TRAVIS COUNTY CONSTABLE, PRECINCT 1
100% of precincts reporting

Janie Serna         1,009    28.54%
Danny Thomas    2,524    71.46% (WINNER)

DALLAS COUNTY TAX ASSESSOR COLLECTOR
100% of precincts reporting

Diana L. Lackey       5,201      46.75 %
John R. Ames          5,924      53.25 % (WINNER)

BEXAR COUNTY SHERIFF
100% of precincts reporting

Amadeo Ortiz            7,155    66.55% (WINNER)    
Andy Lopez               3,596    33.45%

EL PASO COUNTY SHERIFF

Richard Wiles      14,784      60.61% (WINNER)
Carlos Leon           9,608      39.39%

REPUBLICAN

TX 22nd CONGRESS
100% of precincts reporting

Pete Olson                15,492     68.51% (WINNER)
Shelley Sekula Gibbs   7,118     31.48%

STATE REPRESENTATIVE DISTRICT 52
100% of precincts reporting

Bryan Daniel     1,656     53.62% (WINNER)
Dee Hobbs        1,432     46.37%

STATE REPRESENTATIVE DISTRICT 55
100% reporting

Ralph Sheffield        4,202     63.50% (WINNER)
Martha Tyroch        2,415      36.49%

STATE REPRESENTATIVE DISTRICT 81
100% reporting

Tryon D. Lewis                   5,171    76.02% (WINNER- defeats incumbent)
G.E. "Buddy" West (i)        1,631     23.97%

STATE REPRESENTATIVE DISTRICT 112
100% of precincts reporting

Angie Chen Button       3,103     53.17% (WINNER)
Randy Dunning            2,732     46.82%

STATE REPRESENTATIVE DISTRICT 144
100% of precincts reporting

Ken Legler           1,590      51.64% (WINNER)
Fred Roberts        1,489      48.35%

Campaign Advertising: Print Edition

by: Open Thread

Mon Apr 07, 2008 at 10:42 AM CDT

"Rarely is the question asked, is our children learning?" -George W. Bush

This is an ad for Mindy Montford's campaign for Travis County District Attorney.

It appeared in today's Daily Texan.

Just don't get it confused with an LSAT ad.

Rosemary Lehmberg: "Terry Keel May Not be Actively Campaigning for Montford"

by: Matt Glazer

Thu Apr 03, 2008 at 08:39 AM CDT

This week, we sent an e-mail to let you know about developments in the race for Travis County District Attorney.

It has come to our attention that the statements made by the Austin Political Report about whether Terry Keel is actively campaigning for Mindy Montford may be incorrect.

While Ms. Montford has received financial support from prominent Republican donors, we now understand the statements attributed to Former Republican State Representative Keel  may not have indeed been made.

We apologize for any confusion and ask our supporters to refrain from repeating these statements.

Since we reported the story as well, we would like to also extend our apologies to the Montford campaign.

Mindy Montford's Strange Bedfellows

by: Matt Glazer

Tue Apr 01, 2008 at 11:39 AM CDT

Capitol Annex and Austin Political Report are reporting two different stories of Republican big wigs campaigning for Travis County District Attorney Candidate Mindy Montford.

The Austin Political Report states that Republican and Craddick loyalist Terry Keel has decided to campaign for Mindy Montford instead of helping his sister-in-law Donna Keel defeat Valinda Bolton.

Now it seems Bush's Brain himself appears to be helping Mrs. Montford too.

Capitol Annex has the story complete with pictures.  Vince states:

Karen Johnson, a longtime lobbyist and Bush pioneer who lives in the Pemberton area of Austin, has a Mindy Montford yard sign in front of her house. Asked by a neighbor this weekend why she is supporting a Democrat, Ms. Johnson replied: "I never have before, but Karl Rove asked me to help her."

Early vote started yesterday in this close election.  This last minute revelation could dramatically effect the outcome in this low voter turnout situation.

Updated: A spokesperson from the Montford had this to say in response to the allegations Terry Keel and Karl Rove are working to elect Mrs. Montford:

This latest negative attack by Rosemary Lehmberg fits the pattern of lies and distortion meant to distract from the positive, issue-based campaign of Mindy Montford.

While Montford talks about real changes she will make, Lehmberg only talks about Montford.  If Karl Rove has been advising anyone, it is obvious from their tactics that it is Lehmberg's unscrupulous campaign.

Tejano Democrats Endorse Montford

by: Matt Glazer

Wed Mar 26, 2008 at 10:50 AM CDT

"Ms. Montford is a voice of reason who will work with all segments of the community to fight crime and build trust between the district attorney's office and the people of this county," says former Texas Senator Gonzalo Barrientos, who is a member of the Austin Tejano Democrats. He adds, "We look forward to working with our county's first female district attorney as Ms. Montford ushers in a new generation of criminal prosecution."

While Montford has received most of the Law Enforcement endorsements, Rosemary Lehmberg has been endorsed by most of the democratic clubs in Austin, and they have split the endorsements of their former challengers with Lehmberg earning Garry Cobbs endorsement and Montford getting the support of Rick Reed.  With low turnout and voter fatigue, this is anyones race.

For those that don't know, early voting for the April 8 Run-off Election begins March 31.