Kamin said the move was a necessary measure that would allow her office to take prompt action should federal or state leaders seek to curtail local control of elections. Otherwise, she said the county attorney’s office would be forced to wait days or weeks for the next court meeting to get approval from commissioners — time that could be spent taking immediate action.
“In the past few years, we have astonishingly watched attempts to overturn legitimate election results, undermine confidence in our democratic process and keep eligible voters from casting ballots,” Kamin said. “They’re happening without notice and require the ability to rapidly respond.”
The decision came two days after the U.S. Department of Justice sent letters to all 50 states warning them that local elections administrators could face prosecution should they allow residents in the country illegally to vote. Kamin said the letters were just the latest in the Trump administration’s ongoing efforts to shake public faith in elections.
Commissioner Tom Ramsey, the court’s lone Republican, was the only member to vote against Kamin’s proposal. Ramsey said the item was overly broad and delegated too much authority to the county’s top civil litigator, who typically must seek approval from commissioners before pursuing any litigation.
Ramsey also suggested the move was politically motivated.
“I think this is all partisan,” the Precinct 3 commissioner said. “I think those of you who are on the ballot, this would be a good way to generate a little campaign interest.”
Ramsey opposed her appointment, saying commissioners were effectively putting their thumbs on the scale of the November election by appointing the Democratic nominee.
Kamin assured commissioners that she was not planning to go on the offensive and that the item was simply a precautionary measure intended to grant her office the flexibility to respond to any efforts to interfere with Harris County’s voting process, should they arise.
Thursday was Kamin’s first official appearance at Commissioners Court as the county’s chief civil litigator. Her appointment runs until the November election, after which she will either be elected or her opponent, Jacqueline Lucci Smith, will take the position. Whoever wins the race will be the first female elected Harris County attorney.