New DA will be nominated by precinct chairs

By Chris Lundstrom
Publisher/Editor
    Jackson County District Attorney Bobby Bell’s recent appointment to district judge leaves Jackson County in need of a replacement DA. Bell is expected to be sworn in as district judge on Aug 8.
    Bell said the process to appoint a district attorney is very similar to the process he went through for the district judge appointment.
    “The only difference is the county chairman and county precinct chairs will decide who they want to put on the ballot,” Bell said. The district judge appointment was decided by county chairmen and precinct chairs from all the counties in the 267th district.
    Lynard Olson is chairman of the Republican Party of Jackson County. He said any attorneys that live in Jackson County who would like to be considered for the position of district attorney should contact him at 281-734-0121 as soon as possible.
    The Democratic Party of Jackson County also has the opportunity to nominate someone to be on the ballot in November.
    The executive committee, consisting of the party chair and precinct chairs, will meet at 6 p.m. on Wednesday, Aug. 10 at the Chamber to decide who to nominate for the position. Precinct chairmen for Jackson County include Sharon Whittley, Dana Parks, Buddy Brock, Gena Peters, Tammy Gendke, Kenneth Harter, Vivian Guthrie, Jeri Browning, and Cindy Kruppa.
    Assistant District Attorney Pam Guenther has been Bell’s second in command since 2007. She has been filling in for Bell in the interim and said she intends to apply for the district attorney position.
    “I find this job fulfilling,” she said. “Not just from the victims’ side – they are always so thankful – but from the defendants as well. They often come back later and say ‘you saved me from a life of crime.’ I hear from defendants as much as victims saying thank you for being fair.”
    Guenther said Bell has a legacy of being tough on crime and protecting the citizens.
    “I hope I can continue that legacy,” she added. “I don’t think Jackson County will ever have a district attorney as talented as Bobby in the courtroom. We’ve been very fortunate.”
    Once the executive committee decides who to nominate for the position, they will notify Governor Abbott’s office. Bell said it is possible Abbott will go ahead and appoint the nominee to begin serving as district attorney until the Nov. 8 general election.
    Bell said the state pays the district attorney’s salary and the county pays the assistant district attorney. Once the nominee is appointed, the state can begin paying the salary, which should in turn allow the county commissioners to hire an assistant district attorney to help with the case load.
    “We have a lot higher case load than in years past,” Guenther said. “We are always seeking justice and balancing what’s best for the victims and what is an appropriate punishment for the defendant.”