Cobb running for district attorney

Longtime Assistant District Attorney Gary Cobb has indicated that he intends to announce his candidacy for DA in the 2016 Democratic primary. Cobb, director of the Grand Jury/Intake Division of the District Attorney’s Office, has prosecuted numerous high-profile defendants in his 24 years with the DA’s office. That list includes, most recently, George De La Cruz, who was convicted last month of murdering his wife. Cobb also prosecuted Brandon Daniel, who murdered Austin Police Officer Jaime Padron in 2012, and persuaded the jury to assess the death penalty. Cobb is a 1986 graduate of the University of Texas School of Law, past president of the Austin Black Lawyers Association and former chair of the board of directors of KAZI, Austin Community Radio. Cobb was one of four assistant district attorneys to run in the Democratic primary in 2008. He endorsed the eventual winner of that race, current District Attorney Rosemary Lehmberg. Attorney Beverly Reeves is his campaign treasurer. Cobb’s list of 500 supporters includes a who’s who of local officials, politicos and lawyers. Lehmberg intends to retire at the end of her term, which makes it likely that there will be several contenders for the seat. However, Cobb is recognized among political observers as the person to beat in the race at this early date.