(AUSTIN) — Former Texas Democratic Party Chairman Charles Soechting today threw his enthusiastic endorsement behind Rosemary Lehmberg in the runoff for Travis County District Attorney, saying that the veteran prosecutor’s seasoned leadership is critical to helping Austin meet the challenges of the future.

“Rosemary has helped guide the office and make it into one of the most innovative and respected in the entire nation,” Soechting said. “She has earned our support — and just as importantly, our trust.”

Soechting, a former DPS trooper and longtime lawyer who has been an activist against election fraud, said the Travis County DA’s office has a special obligation to protect not just the local community but the integrity of the electoral process across the state.

“This office requires great legal skills and great human judgment — and Rosemary Lehmberg has plenty of both,” Soechting said.

(AUSTIN) — Gary Cobb, the respected assistant DA who finished a strong third in Democratic primary for Travis County District Attorney last week, today endorsed veteran prosecutor Rosemary Lehmberg in the April 8 runoff, saying she is uniquely qualified to maintain the independence of the Public Integrity Unit and find common ground for equal justice throughout a growing community.

“Rosemary Lehmberg has the experience and judgment to meet the challenges we face,” Cobb said. “She’s tough, she’s smart, she’s been in the trenches, and she understands that that equal justice is essential to our future. She’s far and away the best choice to lead this office into the future.”

Cobb said he met with both runoff candidates to discuss the major issues in the race and measure their commitment to working for the agenda he talked about during his own campaign for the job.

After 31 years of Ronnie Earle in the D.A.’s chair, some internal personnel pressure was inevitable – and after Earle’s belated retirement announcement, the result is four strong candidates (all assistant district attorneys) to succeed him and to carry on his work in one of the most successful and certainly the most high-profile prosecutor’s office in Texas. The four are also distinct in background and preparation, allowing voters to choose from a range of perspectives – and increasing the likelihood of a run-off.

Her boss, retiring DA Ronnie Earle, agrees.

“She’s far and away the best qualified person to be Travis County District Attorney,” Ronnie says in the ad. “She’s been a leader in protecting children and preventing crime. She’s the best.”

Check out the spot here: http://rosemarylehmberg.com/media/

“I know top-notch public service when I see it, and I know that Rosemary is ready to take the helm of this critical office,” Sharp said. “She is tough, fair, and innovative.”

(AUSTIN) — Retiring Travis County District Attorney Ronnie Earle, having earned a reputation over the past three decades for promoting innovative public safety policies and holding public officials accountable, today endorsed Rosemary Lehmberg, his longtime first assistant and top prosecutor, in the race to succeed him.

“I am deeply honored to have the support and endorsement of Ronnie Earle,” Lehmberg said. “He has given this community his vision and leadership and been a driving force behind building a district attorney’s office that is one of the most innovative and progressive in the nation. I know I will be fortunate, if elected, to build on such a strong foundation.”

(AUSTIN) — Rosemary Lehmberg, the veteran prosecutor who has been a principle aide to retiring DA Ronnie Earle for three decades and his top assistant for the past 10 years, today announced that she will be a candidate for the top job in next year’s Democratic primary.

“I’ve been on the front line of the fight against crime — and the causes of crime,” Lehmberg said. “After thirty years as assistant district attorney, I know what it takes to protect our community, keep our children safe, and hold our public officials accountable.”