Ellis for Precinct 1

Count us among those who were a little surprised when felony court Judge Maria T. Jackson resigned her seat as Harris County’s longest-serving judge to run against Rodney Ellis, the powerful, well-funded longtime state senator-turned-county commissioner in Precinct 1.

Count us among those who welcomed her nerve. No public official should get used to running unopposed, even one as productive as Ellis. And the 65-year-old veteran lawmaker and former Houston city councilman has left himself open to criticism for not trying harder to build consensus with Republicans, a pattern that led to a failed tax increase before a legislatively imposed revenue cap.

So it’s disappointing that Jackson, 55, known as a tough jurist who also served as a municipal judge and an administrative judge, fell far short of making a coherent case for why she’d be more effective on Commissioner Court.

In a 90-minute interview with the editorial board, Jackson’s main criticism of Ellis centered around his role shepherding through Harris County’s historic bail reform settlement, saying she supported the principle but it didn’t include help for victims and it has led to people out on no-cash bonds reoffending. But she misstated parts of the deal, claiming defendants would get free Uber rides and other assistance, items not included in the final agreement.

Jackson bemoaned millions of dollars for studies on why people don’t go to court — an oversimplification of the scope — saying “most of us know why people don’t go to court. They don’t want to go to jail.” That’s another oversimplification that betrays a lack of compassion for misdemeanor defendants who often balance multiple jobs and transportation challenges.

Asked why she thought her campaign had drawn significant donations from the bail bonding industry, which supported keeping the unconstitutional system of poverty jailing, Jackson answered: “good government.”

Jackson’s most troubling claim was that, when she was elected in 2008, there was only one drug court, and that “under my leadership and direction,” the county established three more and a list of other rehabilitation courts.

“I have been a change maker and been boots on the ground working with everyone and making things happen,” she told us.

In fact, Harris County already had four drug courts in 2007. Jackson didn’t start presiding over a drug court herself until 2017, according to a court newsletter. The other specialty courts were started by other judges.

Ellis acknowledged problems with the new misdemeanor bail system, such as reoffending, but said wealthy people have always had that opportunity under the old system, which was far worse.

Ellis touted his efforts to make sure the landmark $2.5 billion flood bond is distributed equitably among rich and poor neighborhoods. Jackson couldn’t list anything specifically she’d do to improve flood mitigation beyond “bring in the experts.” Ellis prides himself on a policy team whose scope spans far beyond parks and roads.

Jackson argued residents’ lives haven’t improved under Ellis’ tenure and she hears complaints that facilities are worn, programs have been cut and that Ellis is stockpiling money rather than investing it in the community.

“I’ve been accused of many things,” Ellis responded, noting that hoarding public dollars isn’t one of them. He noted a range of improvements, including bike trails, bridges and pedestrian paths.

Both agreed on more efficiency in a system run like fiefdoms by the county commissioners, and on consolidating animal shelters, crime labs and other areas.

For his experience, deep policy knowledge and results, Ellis is the best choice for Precinct 1 in the Democratic primary.