Mincberg makes his entry

Want a County Judge that won't be distracted by trivialities? That would be David Mincberg.

Businessman David Mincberg announced his candidacy for Harris County judge at a campaign kickoff and birthday party celebration Tuesday.

The campaign party at Gochman Studios, near Rice University, was a family event, with Mincberg blowing out the candles on a large chocolate cake. Today is his 57th birthday.

Mincberg, the former chairman of the Harris County Democratic Party, pledged to be "a hands-on CEO" who will provide leadership to manage the region's growth. He is the first Democratic candidate in the race.

If he wins his party's primary next March, Mincberg will face the winner of an already lively Republican primary contest between Harris County Judge Ed Emmett and former Harris County District Clerk Charles Bacarisse. Emmett was appointed to the post earlier this year when County Judge Robert Eckels resigned.

Citing his business experience and his involvement in civic and charitable affairs, Mincberg said Harris County faces issues resulting from the area's rapid growth.

While it is of course always possible that someone might jump into the primary for this, I've not heard a peep to that effect. I can't imagine anything but a token opponent to Mincberg. For all intents and purposes, he's the nominee. And I think he's going to give whoever survives the GOP primary a hell of a fight. I'm very much looking forward to it.

The Democratic countywide slate at this point is just about complete. It's a bigger list than usual, thanks to the elections to fill the unexpired County Judge and District Clerk terms. Here's the list as I know it:

County Judge - David Mincberg
District Attorney - C.O. Bradford
Sheriff - Adrian Garcia
District Clerk - Loren Jackson
County Attorney - Vince Ryan
Tax Assessor - TBD
Judicial candidates - full list here

I think everyone is aware of the first four. Ryan is a former Houston City Council member. That's not cast in stone yet, but it's what I've seen and heard. As for Tax Assessor, I've got nothing. If someone is even talking about running, I'm not yet aware of it. It'd be mighty nice to have a woman on the ticket, and it would be nice to have someone who isn't a "city of Houston" candidate, but first we need a candidate. Anybody out there hearing anything?

Posted by Charles Kuffner on November 01, 2007 to Election 2008