By BJ Austin, KERA News
http://stream.publicbroadcasting.net/production/mp3/kera/local-kera-932790.mp3
Dallas, TX – Dallas County held off a Republican surge, turning back challenges to all countywide offices. KERA's BJ Austin reports.
The Dallas County District Attorney's race was the high profile, top of the ticket race for Democrats. And it was a squeaker. District Attorney Craig Watkins defeated Republican challenger Danny Clancy. But Watkins did not appear at the Democrat's victory party until after midnight to claim his 51 to 49% victory over Republican challenger Danny Clancy.
Watkins: Thank you for your vote. Thank you for your vote.
In spite of the Democratic sweep of countywide offices, Watkins told the crowd this is an opportunity for new cooperation.
Watkins: Let's put aside the Republican or Democratic hat that we may wear during the campaign season and say that we are going to govern for the citizens of Dallas County and do what's in their best interest.
That tone was echoed by newly elected County Commissioner Elba Garcia, who defeated Republican incumbent Kenneth Mayfield, giving Democrats control of Commissioners Court, and Democrat Clay Jenkins, elected County Judge. Both say voters are tired of the bickering at Commissioners Court meetings.
Garcia: They want to bring back teamwork. They want to bring back decorum to the Dallas County Commissioner's court. And that's what they voted for tonight.
Jenkins: You know the issues that face the Commissioner's Court are not hyper-partisan issues. They're air quality and job creation; having a jail that's in compliance; building the new Parkland on time and on budget.
Mike Ogulnick, with the Texas Democratic Party, says Dallas County Democrats bucked the political trend election night.
Ogulnick: This was one of the only counties that Bill White carried. Certainly in the midst of this Republican wave that admittedly swept over Texas as it did the entire country, lo and behold, Dallas County is still blue. I mean yes, we took some lumps in some House races; lost some terrific moderate voices. But Democrats in Dallas County can hold their heads up high.
Dallas County Democratic Party Chair Darlene Ewing says if local Democrats can win in a national anti-Washington climate, the local party is in good shape.