Democratic Leaders Unite Behind Sheriff Lupe Valdez

August 14, 2007

DALLAS — Sheriff Lupe Valdez today announced key endorsements for her 2008 re-election — including State Senator Royce West, Commissioner John Wiley Price and District Attorney Craig Watkins — that indicate strong support for her leadership at the Sheriff's Department amongst Democratic and community leaders. The full list of the Sheriff's endorsements is available at her campaign website, www.lupevaldez.com.

Commenting on the endorsements, Sheriff Valdez said, "I'm committed to finishing the job we've started to improve the Dallas County Sheriff's Department. We've made great progress improving public safety, increasing Department efficiency and giving taxpayers the most bang for their buck. The early support from these outstanding leaders underlines importance of this race to Dallas County citizens."

Senator Royce West has been a vocal supporter of the Sheriff's since before she took office in January 2005. Senator West has represented the 23rd Senatorial District in the Texas Senate since 1993, and is one of the most respected Democratic leaders in our state.

"Dallas has benefited from the seasoned leadership of Sheriff Lupe Valdez. Our Sheriff has worked with the Commissioners Court to hire over 400 new guards for the Dallas county jail system, brought in over two million dollars in revenue by overhauling the jail's commissary contract and established a training program for deputies in DNA and forensics," stated Senator West.

"Does our Sheriff have more work to do in bringing change to the Dallas Jail system? Yes. Sheriff Lupe Valdez has earned the right to finish the job that she has started," added the Senator.

Commissioner John Wiley Price is a leader on the County Commissioners Court and has strongly supported Sheriff Valdez's requests for new skilled personnel for the Dallas County Jail and other Sheriff's Department divisions.

"Sheriff Valdez has taken the lead to address the problems she inherited in the Dallas County Jail. She and her staff have been working day and night to make the changes needed in her Department, and that wouldn't have been possible without the Sheriff's leadership," said Commissioner Price.

Along with the Senator, Commissioner and District Attorney, other county-level elected officials supporting the Sheriff for re-election include County Judge Jim Foster, District Clerk Gary Fitzsimmons and County Treasurer Joe Wells.

The Sheriff's 2008 re-election campaign has also been endorsed by State Representatives Roberto Alonzo, Rafael Anchia and Terri Hodge.

"Sheriff Valdez was elected to bring change to a Department that had run off the track, and she has fulfilled that promise. She's turning around the Dallas County Sheriff's Department, and deserves another term to complete her work," said Rep. Alonzo.

Also among those who have announced their support for Sheriff Valdez are former Dallas Mayor Ron Kirk, former State Representative Domingo Garcia and State Democratic Executive Committee members Shay Cathey, Susan Culp and Theresa Daniel.

Mr. Garcia served as a co-sponsor of the Sheriff's June 2007 campaign kick-off fundraiser, which raised approximately $55,000 for her 2008 efforts.

Also, the Sheriff has been endorsed by Jennifer Roberts, president of the Dallas County Young Democrats, and David Hardt, newly-elected national president of the Young Democrats of America. Sheriff Valdez was a featured speaker at the recent Young Democrats of America National Convention.

"Sheriff Valdez has always enjoyed great support from young Democrats in Dallas. She was one of the major races the Dallas County Young Democrats worked with in 2004 and I am excited to be supporting the Sheriff during her 2008 campaign," said President Hardt.

Dozens of Dallas County Democratic Precinct Chairs have signed on as endorsers of the Sheriff's 2008 campaign, with more coming aboard every day. Community members who wish to add their name to the Sheriff's endorsement list may contact her campaign at campaign@lupevaldez.com.

"When I took office, I recognized that bringing change to the Sheriff's Department would be hard work. The support I've received from Senator West, Commissioner Price and others has made much of the progress I've achieved possible. I look forward to leading my Department into a better future in 2008 and beyond," said Sheriff Valdez.

View the complete slate of the Sheriff's Endorsements.

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