AUSTIN, Texas — One week removed from Super Tuesday, judge Mike Denton announced his endorsement for leading Travis County attorney Democratic candidate Laurie Eiserloh.
Eiserloh was also endorsed by former Sen. Gonzalo Barrientos, County Commissioner Margaret Gomez and Austin NAAPC President Nelson Linder.
Eiserloh secured 42% of the votes and will face off against Austin Mayor Pro Tem Delia Garza, who came in second with 39%, in a May runoff. Denton was also a Democratic candidate on the primary ballot, but finished in third place with only 11% of the vote.
According to her campaign page, Eiserloh is a graduate of the University of Texas School of Law and a former 10-year member of the county attorney’s civil litigation division. She has practiced government law since 1993, primarily litigation. Eiserloh also practiced at the firm Bickerstaff Heath, Smiley, Pollan, Kever and McDaniel. She served as executive director of the Lesbian and Gay Rights Lobby of Texas, where she fought in the Texas Legislature for the rights of gay people, according to Eiserloh’s campaign page.
As county attorney, Eiserloh says that she would:
- Advocate for climate change accountability: “Climate change is the most significant issue of our time. In August 2019, Travis County joined with hundreds of other local governments across the country and declared a climate emergency.” She compares climate change litigation to previous lawsuits against big tobacco and opioid manufacturers.
- Promote diversion programs: “A person who has been charged with a misdemeanor is often at an entry stage in the criminal justice system. When possible, I want to give those who want to turn their lives around at this early stage the opportunity to do so.”
- Explore and advocate for options for people with mental illness or addiction that are not centered around the criminal justice system.
- Prioritize resources for family violence programs to help victims of domestic violence.
The winner of the runoff election in May between Garza and Eiserloh will run unopposed in the November election and will be a shoo-in to replace David Escamilla for Travis County attorney, who is retiring in 2020.
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