Paul Burka says yes.
All signs point to Earle’s retirement as district attorney. The first indication I received was an e-mail from a prospective candidate:
Paul, I am writing to inform you of my decision to commence an exploratory campaign to become the next District Attorney of Travis County. If, as I expect, Ronnie decides to retire at the end of his current term, I intend to do everything humanly possible to succeed him ….
In the event that I do become a candidate for District Attorney – and I have good reason to believe that I will soon have that opportunity – I hope that we will be able to count on your support.
The e-mail came from Rick Reed, an attorney who I got to know through Tom DeLay’s successful challenge to his indictment for conspiracy. Reed fashioned a winning argument but he had a losing court (of Criminal Appeals).
If Earle does retire, I will wish him well. I’d think he’d want to stick around long enough to see the DeLay case to a conclusion, but maybe he thinks that could be too far off. We’ll see what happens.
My problem with Burka’s post is that he unequivocally claimed that Earle is retiring, but gave no real evidence other than Reed’s email.
Rumors of Earle retiring surface every election cycle, and I’m pretty sure it’s because Earle himself isn’t sure what he will do.
I met Reed last week, and he’s a good guy. He also works for Earle, so I’m sure if there’s an inside track for info, he’s got it. But the main point I think everybody in Austin, including Reed, is making is that Earle hasn’t decided. I think Burka may have jumped the gun a bit on that announcement.