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Craig Watkins and Susan Hawk in spirited race for Dallas County DA

Update: From my colleague Sarah Mervosh.

Watkins spent the night holed up at his campaign headquarters, a brick building in South Dallas with a large “Re-Elect Craig Watkins” sign hanging on the porch.
The district attorney and a small group, which included his top assistant and his spokeswoman, met for the first part of the evening in a library-like conference room. His spokeswoman, Debbie Denmon, said they planned to move next door to have an “intimate” dinner with family and friends at Watkins’ mother’s business, an adult day care center called The Bridge.
“Craig’s kind of going back to his roots,” Denmon said. “Just keeping it small. He didn’t want a big to-do.”
She said Watkins planned to address the media once the votes had been tallied.

Update at 7:55 p.m.: Hawk won early voting by the slimmest of margins, 50.1 percent to 49.9 percent, about 400 votes. But odds are that’s not enough. Democrats in Dallas County typically score many more votes on Election Day that Republicans.

Original item: Republican Susan Hawk is waging a strong challenge against incumbent Democrat Craig Watkins for Dallas County district attorney.

In a race that’s expected to be close, Hawk has outspent Watkins and developed the more prolific campaign.

Her strategy involves getting a strong Republican base turnout and enough crossover votes to win against Watkins, who is expected to be boosted by a powerful push from Democrats voting along party lines.

Watkins was first elected DA in 2006, and soon after became a national star. But he’s squandered much of that star-power with questions about how he using his power and spends money under his control.

Despite being a two-term incumbent, Watkins ran his campaign on a shoe-string budget, with no campaign manager or significant field staff.

Hawk, a former state district judge who in 2010 ran for re-election to the bench as a Democrat, received significant backing from much of Dallas’ business elite.

In 2010 Watkins’ wife, Tanya Watkins, was Hawk’s political consultant. And Hawk ran on a ticket that included Watkins, though she says that year she voted for Republican Danny Clancy over the incumbent. Clancy lost to Watkins by just over 5,000 votes.

The campaign for district attorney has been nasty. At a forum on domestic violence Hawk suggested that Watkins had been drinking before the event. “Have another cocktail,” she told Watkins after the event.

Susan Hawk outspending Craig Watkins in DA race

Republican Susan Hawk is dramatically outspending incumbent Democrat Craig Watkins as the race for Dallas County district attorney enters its final weekend.

Hawk, a former state district judge, raised $342,441 from Sept. 9 to Oct. 25. Financial reports released this week show she spent $416,886 during the same period and has $239,427 in her campaign account.

Meanwhile, Watkins, the two-term incumbent, raised $44,850 for the period and spent $33,379. He has $61,000 left in his campaign account, though both candidates are still raising money.

Watkins’ low-budget campaign, aides say, is not of great concern because he’s running with a team of Democrats, including candidate for governor Wendy Davis and Dallas County Judge Clay Jenkins.

For the latest reporting period, Watkins got a $10,000 contribution from the Baron & Budd law firm, as well as $5,000 from Dallas lawyer Brian Loncar.

Watkins has spent money to run commercials over cable television outlets.

Hawk has a more prolific television media campaign in place and she continues to be powered by donations from the county’s business elite, and others. She received a $25,000 donation from oilman Trevor Reee-Jones. Businessman Stephen Davis gave her $10,000.

Dallas County DA candidate Susan Hawk’s first television ad focuses on trust

Republican Susan Hawk, with a campaign flushed with cash, has bolstered her media campaign with a television ad currently airing on local television stations.

The 30-second spot is titled “trust.” It features Hawk, a former state district judge, discussing why she wants to unseat Democrat Craig Watkins as Dallas County District Attorney.

“It doesn’t matter whether you’re a Republican, Democrat or Independent,” Hawk said. “Your job as district attorney is to seek justice.”

According to the latest financial disclosure reports, Hawk has $247,000 on hand to close out her campaign. That number is rising. Watkins, the two-term incumbent, had $55,000 in his campaign account.

Dallas County DA Craig Watkins exploring charges against Ebola patient

Update: 5:34

Here’s more on what DA Craig Watkins is investigation as it relates to the Ebola victim from his spokeswoman, Debbie Denman.

We are looking into whether or not Thomas Eric Duncan knowingly and intentionally exposed the public to a deadly virus – making this a criminal matter for Dallas County. To put this in perspective, we prosecuted defendants who know they are HIV positive and intentionally have sex with others without protection. In those cases, defendants with HIV who exposed the virus to others faced aggravated assault charges. It’s possible the same charge could apply here.

Also, DA Watkins says it would be irresponsible if we didn’t look into this, but we have to tread lightly because we could not place an Ebola virus patient into the county jail and risk infecting others. On a humanitarian note, it would be cruel and inhumane to go after a person on their death bed but at the same time the DA’s office would want to show that there are consequences to entering the country by falsifying documents and then knowingly putting the public at risk.

Original post below:

Dallas County District Attorney Craig Watkins said Friday his office is trying to determine if criminal charges are necessary for the Liberian man infected with the Ebola virus.

Authorities in Liberia are already considering charges against Thomas Eric Duncan because he lied on a health form when he left the country for Dallas.

During a taping of Sunday’s Lone Star Politics for KXAS (NBC 5), Watkins said such action against Duncan would probably be settled by agencies outside his jurisdiction, though he was monitoring the situation.

“That’s an issue that we have been discussing for the last couple of days,” Watkins said. “It may be more of a federal issue, but we are actively having discussions as to whether or not we need to look into this, as it relates to a criminal matter.”

Watkins later said that he was also trying to determine if family and friends of Duncan violated any laws.

“We’re working with all the different agencies to get to the bottom of it,” Watkins said. “If it warrants a Dallas County prosecution, then we will pursue it.”

Duncan remains isolated at Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital as government and health officials track down as many as 100 people he may have came in contact with.

Democratic Party leader Darlene Ewing puts aside spat with DA Craig Watkins, backs him for re-election

Dallas County Democratic Party Chairwoman Darlene Ewing

Darlene Ewing

Dallas County Democratic Party Chairwoman Darlene Ewing has moved past a primary feud with District Attorney Craig Watkins, saying this week that she’s fully committed to getting her recent rival re-elected in November.

“We’re like the family at Thanksgiving,” Ewing said. “Somebody comes after my crazy Uncle Henry, I’m going to defend him. I’m not saying Craig is my crazy Uncle Henry, but we’re all family.”

In March Watkins supported his first assistant DA, Heath Harris, is a primary battle against Ewing.

But Ewing, the most successful Democratic Party leader of this era, easily fended off Harris to win re-election.

Now Watkins has a general election fight against Susan Hawk, the former state district judge who in 2010 ran for re-election to the bench as a Democrat.

Ewing backed Hawk in 2010 and was instrumented in helping her transition to the Democratic Party. Hawk started her career as a Republican.

“In 2010 I worked hard to get her elected,” Ewing said. “She’s on the dark side now. I’m going to do everything I can to get my DA elected.”

Craig Watkins responds to rival Susan Hawk’s proposal to make district attorney elections non-partisan

Update: 5:55 p.m.
District Attorney Craig Watkins called to criticize Susan Hawk’s proposal to make DA elections non-partisan.

“Her message changes with the audience. She tells people in southern Dallas that she wants to be non-partisan. Then she goes and tell folks in North Dallas that she’s a tea party conservative,” Watkins said. “She doesn’t believe in any values. She believes in Susan Hawk.”

Watkins said that Hawk is only interested in political survival and points to her party switching as evidence.

The original post containing Hawk’s comments is below.

Republican nominee for Dallas County district attorney Susan Hawk wants the DA to be chosen through non-partisan elections.

“Our District Attorney should be focused on law enforcement, not partisan politics,” Hawk said in a prepared statement. “Today, party politics permeates our DA’s office, from hiring and firing to who gets prosecuted and who goes free. When it comes to upholding the law, it shouldn’t matter if you are Republican or Democrat.”

Hawk is running for DA against incumbent Democrat Craig Watkins, an unabashed Democrat who contends political ideology should be considered by voters when choosing a district attorney.

He says Democrats in the DA’s office and on the judicial bench help to refocus criminal justice on more than simply putting folks in prison.

And Watkins has criticized Hawk for switching parties for political gain. She was a Republican when she first became a state district judge. Then she joined the Democratic Party for her 2010 re-election campaign. Last year Hawk returned to the GOP to challenge Watkins.

For the moment, it’s virtually impossible for Texas district attorneys to be elected in non-partisan elections. Such changes would have to be authorized by the Texas Legislature. Over the years, bills have been introduced to make judicial elections non-partisan, but there has been little appetite to change the way the state’s top prosecutors are elected.

But Hawk says making the district attorney office non-partisan would provide greater oversight and accountability.

She has criticized Watkins use of forfeiture money seized from criminals. Last year Watkins paid a settlement to a man involved in a car accident he caused. He did not tell county commissioners about the accident.

“If the DA were non-partisan, there may have been a more frank discussion at the Commissioner’s Court this week about the improper use of forfeiture funds,” Hawk said. “Partisanship sometimes creates a conflict between holding leaders accountable and doing what’s best for your own political party.”

Hawk added that partisanship may also influence the legal process and raise questions about the motive of investigations.

Earlier this year defense lawyers accuse Watkins of bringing a mortgage fraud case against oil heir Al Hill III at the behest of prominent Dallas lawyer Lisa Blue, his friend and political benefactor.

Watkins denied the allegation. When he wouldn’t testify about his office’s handling of the case, state District Judge Lena Levario levied a contempt of court charge against him. That charge was later dismissed.

“There should be no doubt about the motives of an investigation, or the Grand Jury process,” Hawk said. “But some of Mr. Watkins decisions have raised questions about political favors and political payback. Our citizens deserve a DA that makes justice the first and only priority.”

Update: Craig Watkins fires back at Susan Hawk over his controversial car crash

Update: 4:19 p.m. Watkins strikes back. His consultant, Mark Littlefield, called Hawk a desperate politician trying to score points on a non-issue.

He said: “Every expenditure from the forfeiture account is reviewed before being issued by the Dallas County auditor. Like every other DA in the state of Texas, there is also an audit performed by the County of the account every year. That audit is then sent to the Texas Attorney General Greg Abbot’s office. For seven years, this account has been used by this office appropriately and legally.”

Then he fired away at Hawk.

“Susan Hawk has proven over and over again that she will do anything to stay in office. Switching parties and making false accusations are the traits of desperate politicians. More importantly, these are very dangerous traits to have in a district attorney. We have seen that kind of district attorney office in Dallas before. We don’t need to see it again.”

Update: 2:44 p.m.

State Rep. Jason Villalba just called to say that Attorney General Greg Abbott does not have jurisdiction to investigate Craig Watkins’ controversial car crash, or the DA’s use of forfeiture funds.

“I don’t have the authority to ask the AG to take on an investigation,” Villalba said. “A statehouse rep request is insufficient to trigger his authority to make that investigation.”

Abbott’s office received Villalba’s request and on Tuesday notified him that they couldn’t investigate on his behalf.

Villalba said he still wants the Texas State Auditor to look into the matter.

“If they find something, they can bring in the AG,” Villalba said.

Original post below.


A state lawmaker on Monday urged Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott to investigate Dallas County District Attorney Craig Watkins’ use of forfeiture funds.

Jason Villalba, R-Dallas, also called on the State Auditor to investigate Watkins as well, saying Watkins could have violated the law by using forfeiture funds under his control to pay a settlement resulting from an auto accident he caused.

“It’s our responsibility to earn and maintain the public trust, that’s why this case demands an immediate review and audit,” Villalba said in a news release. “Public funds should never be used to cover up reckless driving or to pay personal settlements on behalf of public officials. If Mr. Watkins has violated the law, he should be held responsible.”

Watkins, a Democrat, is running for re-election against former criminal court Judge Susan Hawk. After initially being silent about the issue, Hawk on Tuesday unloaded, calling Watkins’ actions a “cover up.”

“The abuse of funds is not new to Mr. Watkins – he has been criticized in the past for using his campaign funds for exotic trips, and even to buy Mont Blanc pens – so it’s not too surprising that he sees the forfeiture funds as his own slush fund, too,” she said. “At the very least, Mr. Watkins has acted recklessly, shown a disregard for the policies of his office and shown disrespect to taxpayers and citizens who deserve truth and transparency. But it’s very likely that he has violated the law, and if that’s the case then he must be held accountable for his actions.”

On Feb. 5, 2013, Watkins was driving a county-owned vehicle on the Dallas North Tollway in route to a speaking engagement to the Park Cities Club. He rear-ended another vehicle and admitted that he was distracted while reading a text message.

The car he was driving was bought by forfeiture funds.

The settlement with the other drive was signed in December. Watkins used the forfeiture funds, money from seized assets from criminals, for $11,000 in car repairs and nearly $50,000 to the man driving the other car.

According to Texas law, the state auditor can investigate whether funds were misused and report the findings to Abbott. Anyone who misuses the funds can be fined up to $100,000.

But on Monday Debbie Denmon, a spokeswoman for Watkins, told my colleague Jennifer Emily that the DA did not misuse the funds and yearly audits of the forfeiture funds have never show a problem.

“We have not been notified by the attorney general’s office that we have done anything wrong, Denmon said. “There are checks and balances to forfeiture funds. There are other eyes. We are transparent.”

The county audits fiscal years, not calendar years, so an audit that would include payments involving the 2013 crash has not been conducted.

Also at issue is whether Watkins’ should have informed county officials about the crash and gone through them to get the vehicle fix, as well as settle with the other driver. Watkins did not tell county commissioners about the incident. But if his use of forfeiture funds was proper, he would not have been required to broadcast his accident.

Villalba says “the law expressly states that the funds are used ‘solely for the official purposes’ of the District Attorney’s office.” He added the law requires a budget to be submitted to the Dallas County Commissioners before any asset forfeiture funds are spent.

“We deserve to know if this is an error in judgment or a larger pattern of abuse and cover-ups,” Villalba said. “District Attorney Watkins’ behavior demonstrates a complete disregard for the policies put in place to protect the use of these funds.”

County Judge Clay Jenkins discusses DA Craig Watkins’ controversial car crash on Lone Star Politics

On this week’s Lone Star Politics, NBC 5’s Kevin Cokely asks Dallas County Judge Clay Jenkins if District Attorney Craig Watkins should have informed county commissioners that he intended to use more than $60,000 in county funds to deal with a 2013 accident that he had while driving a county vehicle. Also, Gromer Jeffers from The Dallas Morning News interviews State Senator Leticia Van de Putte, the Democratic candidate for Lieutenant Governor. Watch Lone Star Politics Sunday at 8:40 a.m. on NBC 5.

Nowak concedes to Hawk; Levario concedes loss to Kemp; other judicial races

Nowak concedes to Hawk: “I’ve been a life-long republican and will remain so. I will do what I can to help the party be a success in Dallas County. The results are not at all what we expected, but because of all the opportunities this country has given me, I have plenty to keep me happy, especially my wife and children.”

Update 10:50 p.m.

State District Judge Lena Levario of the 204th District Court told me that she is not expecting to win her race. She is losing to Dallas County prosecutor Tammy Kemp, who has about 60 percent of the vote.

“I’m looking at the numbers and studying the patterns” throughout the county, she said. Women against men are running away with the race. Males against males are within 5 percent, she said.

But in races like one between Kemp and Levario  where there is a black female candidate, Levario said, “the people coming out on top are the African American females.”

“I think pattern is pretty consistent, I’m not expecting a win.”

Levario sounded upbeat despite what looked like a loss for tonight.

“It’s exciting to see what the future holds,” she said, adding that she is looking forward to the November elections.

The voting patterns, she said, likely have a lot of office holders concerned about future elections.

“A lot of the sitting incumbents are probably pretty worried about their jobs,” she said.

Also, with 528 of 797 precincts reporting, the candidate leading remains unchanged.

Update 10:10 p.m.:

Not much change in the percentages with 309 of 797 precincts reporting:

Hawk has 63 percent of the vote and Nowak has 37 percent in the Republican DA.

In the 204th, Kemp has 59 percent of the vote and Levario has 41 percent.

In the 265th, Bennett has 68.75 percent, Eiland has 19.33 percent and Barr has 11.92 percent.

In the 282nd, Givens has 63 percent of the vote and Chatham has 37 percent.

In the 292nd, Birmingham has 51 percent and Mitchell has 49 percent.

In the 283rd, Magnis 54 percent and Lord 46 percent.

In the 291st, Mitchell has 59 percent and Anderson has 41 percent.

In the 363rd, Holmes has 73 percent and Redmond has 27 percent.

 

Update 9:23 p.m. :

With 140 of 797 precincts reporting:

Hawk has 63 percent of the vote and Nowak has 37 percent in the Republican DA.

In the 204th, Kemp has 60 percent of the vote and Levario has 40 percent.

In the 265th, Bennett has 68.56 percent, Eiland has 19.68 percent and Barr has 11.77 percent.

In the 282nd, Givens has 63 percent of the vote and Chatham has 37 percent.

In the 292nd, Birmingham has 51 percent and Mitchell has 49 percent.

In the 291st, Mitchell has 60 percent and Anderson has 40 percent.

In the 363rd, Holmes has 73 percent and Redmond has 27 percent.

Update 7:09 p.m.: 

Early voting results are in for the Dallas County courthouse races.

Susan Hawk (on the right), a Republican candidate for Dallas County District Attorney, looked at early voting results with Jennifer Ring Pascal, chief operating officer and co-owner of Allyn Media. They are at Mi Cocina in North Dallas. (Credit Stella M. Chávez / KERA News)

Former state district judge Susan Hawk had a sizeable lead over defense attorney Tom Nowak in the Republican primary. Hawk resigned her bench to run for district attorney.

The winner will face Dallas County District Attorney Craig Watkins in November. The two-term Democrat does not have a primary opponent.

The county’s judicial races were talked about more than usual this election season. Some accused Watkins of running a slate of prosecutors against incumbent judges, all who were fellow Democrats elected with the DA in 2006. Watkins denied such a move.

Prosecutors were allowed to run for the bench while keeping their job, which has not always been Watkins’ policy. Watkins’ underlings are running for six of the seven contested felony court races. Only Democrats have contested primary judicial races.

No judicial race has been more watched than that of state District Judge Lena Levario and her challenger, Dallas County prosecutor Tammy Kemp. Early voting results had Kemp winning by a wide margin.

Levario held Watkins in contempt one year ago this week when he refused to testify in her courtroom about allegations of prosecutorial misconduct against him. Watkins was later acquitted.

In the 265th District Court, Dallas County prosecutor Jennifer Bennett was leading by a large margin over defense attorney Anthony Eiland and defense attorney William R. Barr. To avoid a runoff, one candidate must receive more than 50 percent of the vote. The winner will face Republican defense attorney Lisa DeWitt in November.

In the 282nd District Court, prosecutor Amber Givens was leading by a large margin over state district judge Andy Chatham. There is no Republican challenger. Givens questioned Chatham’s competency and Chatham said Givens lacked the experience.

In the 283rd District Court, state district judge Rick Magnis was leading prosecutor Justin Lord. There is no Republican challenger. Lord said Magnis was inefficient while Magnis touted his credential working with domestic violence victim advocates and working to create a program to curb recidivism and lethality among abusers on probation.

In the 291st District Court, prosecutor Stephanie Mitchell was leading defense attorney Susan Anderson. The winner will face Republican state District Judge Jennifer Balido in November. Balido was appointed by Gov. Rick Perry when Hawk resigned to run for district attorney. Both candidates touted their experience as the reason voters should chose them.

In the 292nd District Court, prosecutor Brandon Birmingham had a slight edge over state District Judge Larry Mitchell. The winner will face Collin County prosecutor Janet Cook in November.

Birmingham capitalized of Mitchell’s law license suspension by the State Bar of Texas for problems that occurred while Mitchell was in private practice. The bar’s action did not prevent Mitchell from carrying out his job as judge.

In the 363rd District Court, state District Judge Tracy Holmes had a sizeable lead over defense attorney Nigel Redmond. There is no Republican challenger.

Redmond targeted Holmes, he said, because of the way she handled the trial of former Dallas County constable Derick Evans. Evans was convicted of engaging in organized crime for running an illegal raffle and an appellate court upheld that verdict, although Evans continues to appeal.

Dallas County Democratic Chair Darlene Ewing had a sizeable lead over Watkins’ first assistant DA, Heath Harris.

Original post 6:58 p.m.: The polls will close at 7 p.m. I’ll post the results from early voting as soon as we get them.

In the Republican primary for Dallas County District Attorney former judge Susan Hawk is battling defense attorney Tom Nowak to take on DA Craig Watkins in November.

Watkins, a Democrat seeking a third term, does not have a primary challenger.

In Dallas County’s felony courts, no race is more watched than the battle between state District Judge Lena Levario and her challenger, Tammy Kemp for the 204th District Court.

The other felony court races:

265th District Court: Dallas County prosecutor Jennifer Bennett vs. defense attorney Anthony Eiland vs. William R. Barr. One candidate must get more than 50 percent of the vote to avoid a runoff. The winner will face Republican defense attorney Lisa DeWitt in November.

282nd District Court: state District Judge Andy Chatham vs. Dallas County prosecutor Amber Givens. There is no Republican challenger.

283rd District Court: Dallas County prosecutor Justin Lord vs. state District Judge Rick Magnis. There is no Republican challenger.

291st District Court: defense attorney Susan Anderson vs. Dallas County prosecutor Stephanie Mitchell. The winner will face state District Judge Jennifer Balido in November. She was appointed by Gov. Rick Perry after Hawk resigned her bench to run for DA.

292nd District Court: Dallas County prosecutor Brandon Birmingham vs. state District Judge Larry Mitchell. The winner will face Collin County prosecutor Janet Cook in November.

363rd District Court: state District Judge Tracy Holmes vs. Nigel Redmond. There is no Republican challenger.

 

District Attorney Craig Watkins unveils slate for March primaries

State Senator Royce West, left, prepares to speak during the installation of Reverend Doctor Ronald E. Jones, Mayor of Garland, as the 13th Pastor of New Hope Baptist Church, the first African American Baptist Church in Dallas, Sunday, January 27, 2013. Dallas County District Attorney Craig Watkins, center, and Dallas Mayor Mike Rawlings, right, also spoke. (Tom Fox/The Dallas Morning News) ((Tom Fox/The Dallas Morning News))

Dallas County District Attorney Craig Watkins is actively pushing candidates in the March 4 primary.

Over the holiday weekend Watkins and his supporters distributed literature that touted his choices for various judicial posts. Watkins is also backing his top assistant district attorney, Heath Harris, for chairman of the Dallas County Democratic Party.

Watkins is unopposed in the Democratic primary, but will face general election opposition from the winner of the Republican contest between Dallas lawyer Tom Nowak and former criminal court Judge Susan Hawk.

The two-term district attorney told The Associated Press that he wants more good judges on the bench. He has downplayed suggestions that he’s trying to control Dallas County Democratic politics. In a column last year I likened him to an old school political boss.

But Watkins is not the only elected official pushing candidates in the primary. Today Rep. Eddie Bernice Johnson, state Sen. Royce West and Dallas County Commissioner John Wiley Price_ in connection with the Lone Star Project_ unveiled their slate of candidates.

Watkins is supporting several prosecutors in primaries against incumbents. In the most watched judicial races, he’s backing Tammy Kemp over Lena Lavario in felony district 204, Amber Givens against Andy Chatham in felony district 282 and Stephanie Mitchell against Susan Anderson in felony district 291. You can see the rest of his endorsements below.

Democrats took control of Dallas County politics in 2006, when it was difficult for the party to get candidates to run for countywide office.

Now, incumbents are being challenged by candidates that see the Democratic primary as the only path to elected office in Dallas County.

Watkins Slate by digitalaccess

Endorsements by digitalaccess