Harris County Commissioners Court went along with retiring Precinct 8 Constable Bill Bailey's plan to give his chief deputy a leg up in next year's election:
Phil Sandlin was appointed Precinct 8 Constable by Harris County Commissioners Court this morning, to take effect June 1 on current Constable Bill Bailey’s retirement.
You probably remember that Bailey "sacrificed" himself by quitting because of the layoffs he was forced into, right? Sure you do, the media fell for it hook, line, and sinker. Below is a quote from ABC 13's Miya Shay's report on his resignation March 22nd:
It's a bold move by Harris County's longest-serving current constable dealing with budget cuts. During Tuesday morning's meeting at commissioners' court, Precinct 8 Constable Bill Bailey announced he would step down and cut his own position, rather than fire another one of his employees.
LOL, a "bold move". Anyone that follows politics in Harris County knew that it wasn't bold at all – it was a political move designed to give Phil Sandlin a leg up in the primary next year because it was widely known that Bailey wasn't going to run again. And Commissioners Court likes it because Sandlin is a good guy and well known to them. This move gives Sandlin about 10 months as the incumbent, meaning he'll be tough to beat. It'll be interesting to see if anyone runs against him.
Politics as usual. Next.
I've known Phil for 21 years and am a personal friend. I would like to congratulate him and believe he will do a fine job.