Four candidates are vying to be the Democratic nominee for Travis County Attorney, a position that prosecutes misdemeanor crimes, advises the county commissioners, and represents the county government in court.
There are no Republican candidates for the position, which means that the winner of the Democratic primary on March 3 will be a shoo-in in November.
Who are the candidates? Why are they running? How would each one run the county attorney’s office? Honest Austin put together a brief summary about each candidate. The information below is compiled from campaign websites, press reports, and other public documents.
Mike Denton
Denton is a former U.S. Army Airborne officer, a graduate of the UT School of Law, and a 13-year veteran of the Travis County Attorney’s Office, where at one time he headed the criminal trial division.
He also chaired the Travis County Family Violence Task Force, which played a role in the creation of a domestic-violence court in Travis County. He was the inaugural judge of that court, County Court at Law Number 4, starting in 1999 and was re-elected five times. He calls himself a “proven reformer who revolutionized the way battered women are treated in this county.” Denton resigned from the bench in September.
As County Attorney, Denton says that he would:
- Undertake reforms that “help non-violent misdemeanor offenders change the direction of their lives and clear their record for a fresh start.”
- Prioritize programs for those with mental health, alcohol or drug issues.
- Enact reforms that “help non-violent misdemeanor offenders change the direction of their lives and clear their record for a fresh start.”
- “Go after corporate polluters who foul our air, water and land.”
Campaign Website: https://www.votemikedenton.com/
Laurie Eiserloh
Eiserloh is a graduate of the UT School of Law and a former 10-year member of the County Attorney’s civil litigation division. She 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. Eiserloh is an 11-year board member of El Buen Samaritano Episcopal Mission.
As County Attorney, Eiserloh says that she would:
- 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, options that are not centered around the criminal justice system.
- Join in litigation “against major contributors to climate change,” which she compares to previous lawsuits against big tobacco and opioid manufacturers.
- Prioritize resources for family violence programs, including victim services training.
Campaign Website: https://electlaurie.com/
Delia Garza
Garza is a current Austin City Council member and Mayor Pro Tempore. Second to Gregorio Casar, a member of the Democratic Socialists of America, Garza is the most Progressive member of the Austin City Council. She began her public service in Austin as a firefighter and represented the Austin Firefighters Association Local 975 in contract negotiations.
Garza is a graduate of Gonzaga Univesity School of Law. She served as an Assistant Attorney General in the Child Support Division of the Office of the Attorney General. During her time on the City Council she helped reform Austin’s municipal court to stop incarcerating people who could not afford a misdemeanor fine.
As County Attorney, Garza says that she would:
- End the cash bail system in Travis County.
- Pursue litigation against statewide leaders, including Governor Greg Abbott and Attorney General Ken Paxton. She touts her role in the City of Austin’s lawsuits against Abbott and Paxton relating to immigration enforcement.
- “Stop prosecuting poverty”: The Garza-affiliated “Draft Delia” campaign explains, “When people lose their jobs because of needless time in jail, we put them and their family’s financial security in jeopardy. Sometimes, people even get deported because they’re unnecessarily jailed for a minor offense.”
Campaign Website (affiliated group): https://draftdelia.com/
Dominic Selvera
Selvera is a graduate of St. Mary’s School of Law, San Antonio. He is a criminal defense attorney practicing in Travis County and surrounding areas. Prior to going into law, he was active with the Communications Workers of America advocating for employee rights.
As County Attorney, Selvera says that he would:
- Decriminalize misdemeanor marijuana cases: “By not seeking criminal drug convictions for misdemeanor marijuana cases, prosecutors can focus on crimes that pose an actual threat to our community.”
- End the cash bail system in Travis County: “As Travis County Attorney, I will not request cash bail on low-level misdemeanor cases and stop wasteful spending on pretrial incarceration.”
- Decriminalize homelessness: “Issuing citations and arresting the homeless will not solve our homeless crisis. I will not prosecute misdemeanor offenses that target the homeless.”
- Focus prosecution resources on crimes like assault family violence, violation of protective orders, and DUIs.
- Decriminalize prostitution by not prosecuting persons who solicit prostitution or engage in it: “We will not prosecute sex workers or those who engage in services with them — a woman has every right to choose what to do with her body.”
- Hold employers criminally accountable for not paying workers.
- Avoid prosecuting undocumented persons at risk of deportation: “An undocumented person charged with a crime who wants to take responsibility for their actions can do so off-the-record. We will not cooperate with ICE, and if ICE is in the courthouse our prosecutors will be instructed not to communicate with ICE agents who do not have a warrant.”
Campaign Website: https://www.dominicselvera.com/
