Leffingwell endorses Radford

Former Austin Mayor Lee Leffingwell has dipped his toes back into the region’s political scene by endorsing Lakeway Police Chief Todd Radford for Travis County sheriff. In a note circulated by the Radford campaign on Wednesday, Leffingwell cited the candidate’s Dove Springs provenance as well as his professional experience in Austin’s western suburb. “Under his leadership,” Leffingwell wrote, “Lakeway became one of the first police forces in the state to put body cameras on every patrol officer – so he has the first-hand experience to bring this vital reform to the Sheriff’s Office.” Radford is running for the Democratic nomination for sheriff against Travis County Chief Deputy Jim Sylvester, former Austin Police Department Lt. John Sisson and Travis County Sgt. Don Rios. A draft campaign is currently underway to encourage Precinct 3 Constable Sally Hernandez to join the race as well. As far as the weight of Leffingwell’s endorsement is concerned, he batted .500 on his most recent pair of political picks. Last year he backed Steve Adler’s successful attempt to replace him, while also campaigning assiduously for the doomed billion-dollar rail and roads bond package known as Prop 1.