Judge Emmett: the emir of the state of Incumbistan
Columnist-extraordinaire Mark Steyn made a killer observation last week regarding Mississippi Senator Trent Lott:
I have no serious expectations of Senators these days, but I would like them at the very least to try and sound a little less like the plump complacent emirs of the one-party-state of Incumbistan. Trent Lott fails even that test.
If he gets in, Bacarisse will face County Judge Ed Emmett in a Republican primary. Emmett was appointed by commissioner's court earlier this year when Robert Eckels resigned.
"I know he wanted to be county judge. The folks down at the county considered him and chose me instead," Emmett said of Bacarisse.
Emmett also questioned Bacarisse's qualifications for the job. Bacarisse, 43, has been district clerk for 12 years, his ministerial duties include summoning prospective jurors for state and county courts and maintaining certain court files. The county judge deals largely with regional issues, including transportation and emergency management.
"The other thing that is woefully lacking, is if Charles were not district clerk, what would he be? He has never had a job outside government," Emmett said.
"He's sat at the public trough his whole life."
If Emmett is practicing bare knuckles politics before Bacarisse has even declared, it's a just a taste of what's to come in a primary.
Or it could be to scare Bacarisse out of entering the race.
Emmett said he doesn't understand why "Republican activists" would want a spirited primary when there is going to be a tough general election next year.
The only reason to throw out an incumbent is if you want to do something different or better, Emmett said.
It's a stretch to call Emmett an incumbent said Jim McGrath, a spokesman for Friends of Charles Bacarisse.
"He is the sitting judge. I accord him the respect the office is entitled to. But no one deserves a coronation. There should be a contest of ideas. He needs to be tested in a primary," McGrath said.
"Voters get to decide who has the right experience for the job. No one should be arrogant enough to substitute their own personal will against that of the majority."
Holy cow. Ed Emmett is quite a piece of work. Thanks (again), Judge Eckels.
ADDING MORE: Emmett's quote above really grates, where he says HE was chosen, not Bacarisse. Just because a backroom deal was cut does not mean Harris County Republicans have no say in the next election. From the beginning, Emmett has come across as a fairly unlikable fellow, and maybe that's just his public persona, but he needs to win over voters, and this type of arrogance isn't the way to do it. Voters don't appreciate being left out of the process, and we certainly don't like being told that we don't need a choice.
Also, The Emmett Company, a transporation consulting group, will continue to be headed by Judge Emmett:
Currently, Mr. Emmett is serving as County Judge of Harris County, Texas. The Harris County Commissioners Court unanimoustly appointed him to replace Robert Eckels, who resigned on March 6, 2007. Judge Emmett will continue to own The Emmett Company and direct the overall strategy[...]
I certainly hope some local watchdog journalist will keep an eye on the transportation projects the county approves, if you get my drift.
Posted by Anne Linehan @ 06/17/07 08:39 AM | Print | Comments (11)
Previous Entry | Home | Next Entry
ADVERTISING
DISCLAIMER
All content © 2004-09, blogHOUSTON and the respective authors.
blogHOUSTON.net is powered by Nucleus.
Site design and Nucleus customization are by Kevin Whited.