Anyone in Texas can tell you that 2014 was not a friendly year for Democrats at the ballot box. None of the party’s much hyped statewide candidates were able to stem the Republican tide.
Competitive countywide races didn’t do much better, but there were a few notable exceptions. Perhaps none more interesting than the ouster of 3-term Republican incumbent Susan Reed in Bexar County to a rather unconventional Democratic candidate… Nico LaHood.
For one thing, LaHood offers a unique perspective for the Bexar County criminal justice landscape. As a young man, he was arrested on drug charges and put through the very same system that he now navigates to represent clients. This experience has the potential to inform a very novel approach for his constituents. He has spoken consistently on the need to reduce the county’s harsh drug conviction and prosecution practices, favoring more efficient use of county taxpayer dollars.
The prominent defense attorney served as both a Magistrate Judge and Special Prosecutor for five Texas counties. During the campaign, he received high-profile endorsements from actress Eva Longoria, Spurs player Tim Duncan and other notable San Antonians. But the star power was just one ingredient in his success. LaHood also took advantage of the incumbent’s refusal to debate him in several television appearances. Right before election day, he even did an interview using a staged empty chair to represent Reed’s frequent absences. Reed actually won the Early Vote, but LaHood’s voters (unlike Democrats elsewhere) showed in full force for Election Day.
A father, fitness fanatic, and devout person of faith, the citizens of Bexar county can be assured of new directions with Nico LaHood. For Texas Democrats, a new star just might be born.
(photo credit: Michael Giordano)
LaHood has his work cut out for him….To do his job he must prosecute Democrats and Republicans alike without showing any favoritism….Corrupt DA Susan Reed has conspired with her cronies including former asst DA – former city attorney Michael Bernard ( brother of White House Social Secretary Jeremy Bernard) , city manager Sheryl Sculley, SAPD Chief William McManus, SAFD Chief Charles Hood, Bexar County Sheriff Susan Pamerleau , Mayor / HUD Secretary Julian Castro , Councilmembers and others to conceal the theft and misuse of tens of millions of 911 / communications dollars at a time when 23.6% of 911 calls failed putting the lives of first responders and citizens at risk…. DA Reed refuses to enforce the Texas Open Meeting Act and other laws to protect her friends on the city Council after they banned whistleblowers from City Hall / public meetings for almost 4 years to stifle their reports of the criminal activity… The unfolding municipal bond fraud scandal will expose the ongoing criminal conspiracy where city manager Sheryl Sculley, city auditor Kevin Barthold and city officials have hidden the fraud/theft, four years of illegal city council meetings violating the TOMA, falsification of government documents, judicial fraud, official oppression, grant fraud, retaliation, accounting fraud , no-bid contract fraud , the theft of $200,000 by city IT manager Jose Medina / vendor Isabel Gonzaba and other crimes from bond investors………. see CASTROGATE dot NET for details