FBH: DA's Race & TX HD 27 Controversy

Races to watch: DA, state rep

By Don Munsch
Published:
Saturday, February 27, 2010 11:46 AM CST

Campaigns are coming to an end and the March Primary is Tuesday for Democratic and Republican candidates in local, state and national races.

Two races of special interest — and some special drama — are those involving the Fort Bend County District Attorney and State Representative District 27.

In the district attorney’s race, incumbent John Healey faces challenges Nina Schaefer and Richard Raymond in the GOP Primary.

In the District 27 House of Representatives Race, incumbent Dora Olivo faces Ron Reynolds in the Democratic Primary.

The district attorney’s race had some public debates, including one in Katy and one in Richmond, that had candidates sparring, doling out criticisms and exchanging accusations.

Healey has served as district attorney for 17 years and has been a prosecutor for 28 years in the county.

He was appointed in 1992 — he was an assistant prosecutor for nearly full year previous to that — and has been elected four times.

He is a member of Sacred Heart Church in Richmond and is a member of the Knights of Columbus, Exchange Club of Fort Bend, Fort Bend Children’s Advocacy Center Advisory Council and Fort Bend Women’s Center Council of Resources, according to his Web site.

He also is a life member of the Fort Bend County Fair Association.

Schaefer has been a defense attorney, an associate judge in Sugar Land and a presiding judge and municipal judge in Stafford.

She has been involved in several community organizations, including Fort Bend County Fair Association, Richmond Lions Club and Fort Bend Lions Club, Fort Bend Women’s Center and Texana Center, according to her Web site.

She has served on the board of trustees and mentor committee at First United Methodist Church in Missouri City.

Raymond is an attorney who is licensed to practice in the United States Court of Appeals, Fifth Circuit and United States Tax Courts, according to his Web site.

He has a background as a CPA and in business administration.

He belongs to the Exchange Club of Sugar Land and is a member of Holy Cross Church in Sugar Land.

Olivo, D-Rosenberg, an attorney and former school teacher, has served in the House since 1997.

Reynolds is a Missouri City attorney who has been selected as one of Houston’s top civil rights attorneys by H Texas Magazine.

Olivo defeated Reynolds in the 2008 Democratic primary and went on to defeat Republican challenger Steve Host in the 2008 general election.

Olivo said on her web site that education, childcare, economic development, mental health, senior citizen issues and workforce and job-training are some of her top issues.

Olivo was an early advocate for equal representation in Fort Bend and helped conduct voter registration efforts in Fort Bend County as well.

Reynolds also has had to grapple with a sanction by the Texas Bar in 2005. He said at a Democratic candidates forum earlier this month that what he did it was a mistake by a young lawyer.....

Get the full piece: http://www.fbherald.com/articles/2010/02/27/news/doc4b894aaf2f204312888454.txt