Posted 12:06 am Wednesday, November 07, 2012
Send to Kindle
Patton wins DA election
Cherokee County residents have elected a new district attorney.
Republican Rachel Patton beat Democratic incumbent Elmer Beckworth for the position.
Ms. Patton received 9,435 votes, or 59.3 percent, and Beckworth received 6,467 votes, or 40.7 percent, according to complete but unofficial results.
Ms. Patton, 36, said she has mixed feelings about the results.
“I am extremely excited and a little overwhelmed, but mostly just humbled that the voters of Cherokee County have chosen me to be their district attorney,” she said Tuesday night by phone.
She said she looks forward to the next few weeks, meeting with Beckworth and making a plan for transition so things move smoothly.
Additionally, she said she will try to meet with court coordinators to see which cases are coming up right after she comes into office, which will happen around the first of the year.
Ms. Patton also thanked everyone who voted for her and those who volunteered and tried to help her.
“Their efforts are very appreciated, and I will do my utmost to make them proud and serve Cherokee County to see that justice is done,” she said.
Beckworth, 58, was elected in 2000. He attributed election results to the number of straight ticket votes and went on to thank all of his supporters, including law enforcement.
“I'm honored to serve Cherokee County,” he said Tuesday night after results were final.
Republican Rachel Patton beat Democratic incumbent Elmer Beckworth for the position.
Ms. Patton received 9,435 votes, or 59.3 percent, and Beckworth received 6,467 votes, or 40.7 percent, according to complete but unofficial results.
Ms. Patton, 36, said she has mixed feelings about the results.
“I am extremely excited and a little overwhelmed, but mostly just humbled that the voters of Cherokee County have chosen me to be their district attorney,” she said Tuesday night by phone.
She said she looks forward to the next few weeks, meeting with Beckworth and making a plan for transition so things move smoothly.
Additionally, she said she will try to meet with court coordinators to see which cases are coming up right after she comes into office, which will happen around the first of the year.
Ms. Patton also thanked everyone who voted for her and those who volunteered and tried to help her.
“Their efforts are very appreciated, and I will do my utmost to make them proud and serve Cherokee County to see that justice is done,” she said.
Beckworth, 58, was elected in 2000. He attributed election results to the number of straight ticket votes and went on to thank all of his supporters, including law enforcement.
“I'm honored to serve Cherokee County,” he said Tuesday night after results were final.
Ms. Patton served as an assistant district attorney in Cherokee County from 2006 until June 2011 and currently has a private practice.
She has said her main focus will be the efficient prosecution of felony cases.
“I intend to make it a priority to (work on) the backlog of cases still pending,” Ms. Patton said last week. “Some have been pending for years. The main priority is to work on clearing those out and institute policy to keep those cases from building back up.”
She also has said in order to determine the appropriate disposition, she feels cases should be evaluated on their strength and the evidence.
“I will never take into consideration who the (defense) attorney is or who (the defendant is) in the community. I will focus solely on evidence and the case and treat all cases fairly and justly,” she said last week.
During the campaign, Beckworth touted his experience, pointing out that he successfully prosecuted capital murder cases and noted that he's prosecuted a variety of cases throughout the years, including felony driving while intoxicated cases and child-molesting cases.
Earlier this year, he was named Prosecutor of the Year by the Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association. The award is given by the special rangers for prosecution of agribusiness crimes and cattle rustling as well as general rural crimes, according to a news release.
He has said his goals were to continue working hard, increase efficiency in his office and work with personnel to make the office a success.
She has said her main focus will be the efficient prosecution of felony cases.
“I intend to make it a priority to (work on) the backlog of cases still pending,” Ms. Patton said last week. “Some have been pending for years. The main priority is to work on clearing those out and institute policy to keep those cases from building back up.”
She also has said in order to determine the appropriate disposition, she feels cases should be evaluated on their strength and the evidence.
“I will never take into consideration who the (defense) attorney is or who (the defendant is) in the community. I will focus solely on evidence and the case and treat all cases fairly and justly,” she said last week.
During the campaign, Beckworth touted his experience, pointing out that he successfully prosecuted capital murder cases and noted that he's prosecuted a variety of cases throughout the years, including felony driving while intoxicated cases and child-molesting cases.
Earlier this year, he was named Prosecutor of the Year by the Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association. The award is given by the special rangers for prosecution of agribusiness crimes and cattle rustling as well as general rural crimes, according to a news release.
He has said his goals were to continue working hard, increase efficiency in his office and work with personnel to make the office a success.
