No, this isn’t a redistricting post. I lost my County Commissioner today (well, October 1)! Pct. 4 Commissioner Jerry Eversole resigned today in a move that most think is because of a plea deal with the Feds (Kuff has a link to that).
Frankly, I’ve been trying to get rid of him since 2002–as a voter and as a volunteer on the last campaign that tried to unseat him. In a commissioner’s precinct that has been strongly Republican, well, that is tough to do. And, in one way or another, incumbency does have its privileges advantages.
Eventually, we really don’t know what is to become of Precinct 4. An attempt was made by Harris County’s redistricting consultants to make Precinct 4 a little bit more Hispanic, thus, making it more of a Hispanic “influence” precinct, but at the cost of the Hispanic opportunity precinct (Precinct 2). Whether the lawsuit against the County’s redistricting lines is successful or not, Precinct 4 is becoming a lot more…colorful.
Meanwhile, Judge Ed Emmett will now get to replace Eversole. I guess the bigger question is: Who’s interested? Certainly, there is a shortlist of Republicans who have been salivating at the thought of Eversole’s resignation. So, I would hope Judge Emmett does the right thing by appointing someone interested in serving the people, rather than serving a political party platform.
Anyway, although it should be a debate for the constituents of Precinct 4 in which to participate, it will ultimately be one for Republican Commissioners and GOP insiders. So, I guess I’ll just wait for the decision.
For Democrats, there is always the next election–if we dare run against the appointee.
doscentavos.net 