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DA candidates trade punches

Three Republicans spar in first debate of political season
BY DON MUNSCH
dmunsch@fbherald.com
Published:Wednesday, January 13, 2010 11:07 AM CST

District Attorney John Healey took some jabs but punched back at his two opponents in the Republican field of district attorney candidates Tuesday during a debate at the Cinco Ranch Branch of Fort Bend County Libraries in Katy.

Healey faces lawyers Nina Schaefer and Richard Raymond in the GOP primary on March 2. The debate was sponsored by Katy Area Republicans and West Fort Bend County Republican Women’s Club. The three candidates are set to spar again at 11:30 a.m. Friday at Spring Creek Barbecue on Texas 6 in Missouri City in a debate sponsored by the Spirit of Freedom Republican Women’s Club.

After candidates introduced themselves, they took questions from reporters from two local newspapers and prepared questions from the audience and then made closing statements. Around 75 people attended the debate...

... “Justice delayed is justice denied,” she said. “You elect me, you will have swift justice. We will not tolerate criminals.”

Raymond said he was the “best man for the job” and said he was a certified public accountant in addition to be a lawyer. He said his experience in running a budget and office help make him a viable candidate.

“I currently run three budgets in excess of a million dollars; two of them alone each independently are more than the budget of the district attorney’s office now,” he said. “I know how to run a payroll, I know how to run a business and I know how to do it profitably. Unlike the incumbent, when he runs out of money, he runs to commissioners court and asks for more money. You and I both know that’s not the way to run any business or any office. We have a budget and we have to stick to it.”

Full story: http://www.fbherald.com/articles/2010/01/13/news/doc4b4df75a168d9551028901.txt