Eiserloh picks up Denton’s endorsement

Former Judge Mike Denton, who came in third in the race for the Democratic nomination for Travis County Attorney on March 3, endorsed Assistant County Attorney Laurie Eiserloh on Monday, declaring that she is the best candidate to enact criminal justice reform. Precinct 4 Travis County Commissioner Margaret Gómez, who supported Denton in the primary, former Sen. Gonzalo Barrientos and Austin NAACP President Nelson Linder stood under a canopy across from the county courthouse in spotty showers to tell the public to vote for Eiserloh in the runoff against Mayor Pro Tem Delia Garza. Garza was the first Latina elected to City Council, but Gómez was the first Latina elected commissioner. All those endorsing Eiserloh emphasized her experience, which includes 27 years practicing law, including her current position as the head of the labor law division in the County Attorney’s Office. Barrientos said during his years of public service, “I’ve come to appreciate deeply the qualifications of the individuals who were elected. It’s so, so important. … In some of the positions like this one, you don’t have that much time to get on-the-job training, and Eiserloh has vast experience, a record of compassion and innovative programs that she intends to push.” Eiserloh led into the runoff with 42 percent of the vote to Garza’s 39 percent. The runoff is scheduled for May 26. Since there is no Republican candidate in the race, the winner will become county attorney when the current occupant of the office, David Escamilla, retires at the end of this year.