Former Prosecutors Battle for Harris County District Attorney Position

Two former prosecutors are competing for the position of Harris County District Attorney. While both advocate for reform, their solutions are markedly different. Each cautions that the justice system's trust could be compromised by their opponent's strategy.

John Hopkins

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John Hopkins

Published 

Sep 25, 2024

Former Prosecutors Battle for Harris County District Attorney Position

Two former prosecutors are challenging the Harris County District Attorney's office. They believe that the office requires reform. Nevertheless, their approaches to achieving it are vastly different. Each asserts that the other's approach would undermine public confidence in the criminal justice system.

In the March Democratic primary, former prosecutor Sean Teare emerged victorious over incumbent Kim Ogg, appointing Harris County's first new district attorney in nearly a decade. In the November general election, Teare, a progressive prosecutor who self-identifies as such, will be pitted against Republican Dan Simons. Both candidates concur that the District Attorney's office requires enhancement; however, they hold divergent perspectives regarding the most effective approach to address this issue.

Last year, Teare, 45, a former supervisor of the vehicular crimes division, resigned to challenge Kim Ogg. He underscored the importance of his experience in the DA's office in the context of change implementation.

Teare stated, "I have worn the hat." "I have worn each hat for a period exceeding a mere cup of coffee." Without comprehending the office's internal operations, it is impossible to address them, particularly within the required timeframe.

Simons, a 46-year-old former chief prosecutor and assistant district attorney, stated that Teare's political affiliations could undermine the office's integrity. According to Simons, who rose from poverty to own his law firm, Teare's support from Democrats who opposed Ogg could hamper the criminal justice system.

Teare is my opponent of choice. Simons stated that Kim would have invigorated her celebration. "She would have been significantly more challenging, and I believe that the extent to which my opponent had to remove her revealed his true nature and Harris County does not require that."

The election is expected to be a contentious debate, as both candidates are competing to influence the direction of the DA's office.

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