May 29, 2012: Your Thoughts on Harris County Sheriff?

[Skiprr]

Harris County is the most populous in the state, and a whole lotta people, me included, live in unincorporated county areas. The choice of Sheriff is always an important one. This round, it's a field that's more crowded than virtually any other on Harris County ballots. To wit:

Democrats:

• Adrian Garcia (Incumbent)
• Delores Jones
• Charles Massey El

Republicans:

• Brian Steinocher
• Ruben Monzon
• Paul Day
• Daniel J. Lemkuil
• Harold Heuszel
• Louis Guthrie
• Guy Clark
• Carl Pittman

The names link to the individuals' campaign websites.

The Texas State Rifle Association Political Action Committee Voter's Guide does not include recommendations for any county Sheriffs that I can find. And this is the one office on my ballot that still has me undecided. Their position on 2A and CHL is something that seemingly none of these guys talk about on their websites or in any campaign material. And among some seemingly viable candidates, its their opinion on those two matters that would sway my vote.

Incumbent Adrian Garcia is, IMHO, the only Democrat with a snowball's chance, but there seems to be no consensus recommendation for any one Republican candidate. The Conservative Republicans of Harris County endorse Louis Guthrie. The Texas Conservative Review and the Katy Christian Magazine endorse Ruben Monzon. The LINK Letter endorses Harold Heuszel. The United Republicans of Harris County and the Houston Chronicle (whether that latter is a good or bad thing) endorses Carl Pittman. HarrisCountyConservativePolitics.com says either Harold Heuszel or Louis Guthrie. The only three Republicans who are not part of the Harris County GOP Leadership Council are Steinocher, Lemkuil, and Clark.

Early voting ends May 25, and I remain undecided on Harris County Sheriff. Does anyone have insight into any of these candidates as it relates to RKBA?

[Mike1951]

Ruben Monzon would appear to have the edge in terms of experience.

But I may be swayed by the recorded call of Sheriff Joe Arpaio endorsing Carl Pittman.

[Skiprr]

I have three more days of early voting, and I still haven't decided yet on Harris County Sheriff.

Monzon definitely has the longest law enforcement career, but it was all federal--DEA and Marshal's service--which to me might be either positive or negative. Unfortunately, when I look at "The Issues" section of his campaign Website, I see five rather generic bullet-points and no real substance to tell me he understands the difference between running a regional office for the federal government and running the sheriff's department. Too, he will have been retired from law enforcement for four years when he takes the oath of office in 2013. I think Monzon would have my vote if he were five years younger, had spent at least a few years in local law enforcement in the past two decades, and had done a better job of convincing me with an actual plan--not just five generic bullet-points--of what he wants to do as Harris County Sheriff...and why.

I'd like to see an effective, Republican sheriff that could take and hold the reins for two terms.

Heuszel ended up being essentially forced out of the sheriff's department when Adrian Garcia took office, and I feel for him. But I just can't put him on my short list. I have no doubt he's a great guy, but he doesn't help himself doing his own videos, and I don't believe he can take on the incumbent and win.

For me, I believe it's coming down to Guthrie or Pittman. I had the rest of my ballot filled out quickly, but still haven't decided about sheriff...

[Birdie]

Tough choice. I would probably vote Pittman - simply because he has a more detailed list of "issues" addressed on his site. Guthrie has "part one" of his "strategic plan" posted with promises of more to come. Just doesn't feel as thoughtful to me.

[tacticool]

Monzon definitely has the longest law enforcement career, but it was all federal--DEA and Marshal's service--which to me might be either positive or negative.

A few years of Federal experience aren't a bad thing but for my local county Sheriff, I want someone with more experience in local law enforcement than Federal. I also want someone who knows the 10th Amendment still exists, and lives and breathes a belief in limited Federal powers. I would vote for a local businessman before I vote for a retired fed as my local CLEO.