Outgoing Dallas County District Attorney Craig Watkins considering options, says he’ll be fine

Craig Watkins loves being Dallas County district attorney.

After he leaves office on Dec. 31, he’ll have to determine whether to continue on a political path or explore the private sector. At the moment, he doesn’t want to talk about his options.

“I know you have a job to do, Watkins said during a brief telephone conversation. “I’m not going to talk about that at this time, but everything we’ll be fine. My family will be fine.”

In November former state District Judge Susan Hawk beat Watkins in the general election for DA, becoming the first Republican to win a contested, countywide race since 2004. Watkins, the trailblazing Democrat, was heavily outspent and unable to mount an effective campaign.

Watkins made history in 2006 by becoming the first black candidate elected district attorney in Texas.

But because of various controversies and political clashes, his stardom eroded. By Election Day, a significant portion of the Democratic base had abandoned him.

Without assigning blame, Watkins said local Democrats were unable to effectively reach African-Americans, the party’s core voters. Turnout wasn’t what it had hoped to be for anyone.

During our conversation, Watkins told me that he had not decided to get involved in Dallas County Democratic Party politics in the wake of Chairwoman Darlene Ewing’s announcement that she’s leaving her post next year.

And he said that just because his wife, Tanya Watkins, had once toyed with the idea of running for party chairwoman, it didn’t mean that she would seek to replace Ewing. Here’s a recent column I wrote about Ewing’s plans.

Watkins didn’t discuss Hawk, but maintained that he had already proposed outfitting local police officers with body cameras. Hawk said this week she would use forfeiture funds to buy body cameras for police officers.

After his defeat, Watkins circulated a message to supporters proclaiming “I will be back.”

Here’s what Watkins said:

Thank you!
We appreciate your support. In the next 4 years you will understand that you can’t just say you have integrity, you have to live it. Stay informed your real DA will be back and ready to fight for justice for all Dallas County and Texas citizens. Fired up and ready to go!

So Thursday night I asked him about another run for public office.

“Everything will be fine,” he said. “And if I want to stay involved in politics, I will be fine.”