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))
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