Daugherty seeks to regain seat on Travis County Commissioners Court

In Fact Daily has learned that former Pct. 3 Travis County Commissioner Gerald Daugherty will seek a return to his former post. Daugherty will announce his campaign this morning.

 

Daugherty, a Republican, told In Fact Daily that he decided to enter the race after some prodding from parties that were “very, very interested” in seeing him make a move. “I think that I’m ready to go back and represent the people of southwestern Travis County,” he said.

 

In entering the race, Daugherty will challenge one-term incumbent Karen Huber. Huber has vocally opposed recent redistricting efforts, which she argues have left her district vulnerable to a Republican challenge. She may also face a primary bout out of the Shady Hollow neighborhood, where Huber’s opposition to the SH45 road project has drawn ire from former allies.

 

Huber defeated Daugherty by a 49-46 percent tally in 2008. In that race, she was backed by familiar Austin political operatives, including David Butts. At the time, Butts laid out what he saw as the difference in the two candidates for In Fact Daily. “This is what I believe: Gerald is basically laissez faire. If it’s going to happen, we might as well let it happen. We’ll do the best we can, but growth is good for everyone,” he said. “Versus Karen, who would say, ‘Yes, we’re going to grow, but we don’t have to grow everywhere, and we should have a say about the kind of growth we have. Growth doesn’t pay for itself. The taxpayer ends up paying for it.”

 

Daugherty declined further comment until after his announcement.

 

At the time of his 2008 defeat, Daugherty had served six years as Precinct 3 Commissioner. He was initially elected to fill Margaret Moore‘s unexpired term in 2002. He was reelected when he ran unopposed in 2004.

 

According to a form filed with the Travis County Clerk’s office on Sept. 26, Hector De Leon will serve as Daugherty’s treasurer for the 2012 campaign.

 

Daugherty is not the only Republican challenger for Huber’s seat. Former Eanes ISD school board member Jim Strickland filed papers with the County Clerk’s office back in July for his run, designating himself as treasurer.

 

More importantly, he stated that he wouldn’t seek more than $500 in campaign contributions.