January 01, 2008
Chron story on Garcia's announcement

Here's the Chron story on the announcement by Adrian Garcia that he's running for Sheriff.


Houston Councilman Adrian Garcia, a former police officer, entered the Democratic race for Harris County sheriff Monday, saying the metropolitan area needs an assertive voice for anti-crime programs and coordination between law enforcement agencies.

Garcia chairs the city council's Public Safety and Homeland Security Committee, and as a Houston police officer, he led an anti-gang task force. He will keep his council seat as he runs for the countywide office.

Sheriff Tommy Thomas is running for re-election in the Republican primary against police officer Paul Day, who ran in 2004, and Michael Plagens.

Garcia, too, will have opposition in the Democratic primary. Other contenders are Guy Robert Clark, a former police chief of Roman Forest in Montgomery County who has run for sheriff before, and Harris County sheriff's deputy Charles Massy El.

With its staff size and the massive geographical area it serves, the Sheriff's Department should take the lead in coordinating crime-fighting efforts, Garcia said.

But in his work on crime issues, Garcia alleged, the county has taken a back seat to Houston and other municipal police forces.

"I tend to hear they are not coordinated, and everybody is doing their own thing," he said.

Thomas could not be reached for comment.


This is just a guess, but I suspect that of the four highest-profile countywide officeholders up for election this year (County Judge, District Attorney, Sheriff, Tax Assessor), Tommy Thomas has the lowest name ID. I know I couldn't pick him out of a lineup, while that is not true for Chuck Rosenthal, Paul Bettencourt, or Ed Emmett, who I daresay is better known than Thomas even though he's only held office for a few months. That will make the dynamic of the Sheriff's race a bit different, in that (if he raises enough money to do it), the race can be more about Adrian Garcia and less about Tommy Thomas. There will be some of that in the County Judge race, but the other two will be referenda on the incumbents. That will carry over to the lower profile races, for County Attorney and District Clerk, with those perhaps being more of a straight partisan preference.

At least, that's how I see it. Who knows how the actual campaigns will unfold? And in the meantime, there's still primaries to be fought and won. We'll know where we stand by the close of business tomorrow.

Posted by Charles Kuffner on January 01, 2008 to Election 2008
Comments

Tommy Tomas has been around for more than 30 years. During that time he has held every position from jailer to Sheriff. He tends to allow his staff run the day to day operations while he tends to the political parts of holding the office. He has brought this department into the 21st century with upgrades that the city only wishes for. I daresay that if the voters vote Thomas out and Garcia in, then we all will get the same servies that the residents of Houston are getting now. And that my friend is not a good thing.

Posted by: Don on January 1, 2008 1:13 PM

i think one of the most wild developments has not been reported yet here-al edwards has filed to challenge borris miles in a rematch. recall-edwards lost very narrowly to miles in a bitter very divisive contest. this one could be a banrburner due to animosity over the school bond issue. 65pct of miles' district opposed the bond. miles supported and lots of folks are very angry about this and other issues comming to light. keep an eye on this one

Posted by: FDRII on January 1, 2008 3:51 PM

Reality is Tommy Thomas is being tainted by the situation with Chuck Rosenthal. Reality also is that quite a few know how corrupt both the sheriff's and constable's offices are.

They violate civil rights every day in this county and do so knowing the district attorney, obviously, will protect them.

The son of the chief investigator for Chuck Rosenthal has evaded arrest at this point. The excuse is they don't know where he is and the sheriff's department has thousands of warrants waiting to be served.

That is nonsense. Someone tipped someone off so he could get away. And no doubt the warrant will never be served and the son of the chief investigator will just show up in court at some point and either be acquitted or given probation.

People need to wake up finally - our entire county government is corrupt. They all need to go. From the top down. Chuck Rosenthal first, then Tommy Thomas. Then some of the judges who have colluded with them through the years.

Scratch my back and I'll scratch yours indeed.

Posted by: Baby Snooks on January 1, 2008 7:12 PM

Thomas has name recognition: the prison buses have a big chrome THOMAS plate at each end and I dont think thats his girlfriends name either

Posted by: Charles Hixon on January 1, 2008 9:30 PM