Texas is the epicenter of our country’s mass incarceration crisis, locking up more people than any other state. So much so that on any given night, more than 195,000 people sleep behind bars.
District Attorneys have the power to change this reality. They are one of the most powerful elected officials in our local community, deciding who gets charged with a crime and who gets a second chance.
Harris County residents have the power to elect our next District Attorney during the March 5 primary election and the November 4 general election.
At the ACLU of Texas, we want to ensure that the people of Harris County are well informed before heading to the ballot box — so we invited all the candidates to a forum to respond to community questions. Democratic incumbent Kim Ogg and opponent Sean Teare attended. Republican candidate Dan Simons, who is running unopposed, did not.
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We also sent the candidates a questionnaire to better understand their positions on a range of issues. A snapshot of their responses are listed below. Access the complete questionnaires from DA Kim Ogg and candidate Sean Teare. Dan Simons did not return the questionnaire.
1. Do you believe that Harris County and the State of Texas should reduce their current incarceration rates?
Kim Ogg: Yes
Sean Teare: Yes
Dan Simons: Did not respond
2. Do you believe the District Attorney has a responsibility to help decrease current jail overcrowding and the associated transfer of people to other states?
Kim Ogg: No
Sean Teare: Yes
Dan Simons: Did not respond
3. Will you commit to tracking and working to eliminate racial disparities in decisions made by the Harris County District Attorney's office, such as disparities in charging decisions, bail recommendations, plea bargains, and sentencing recommendations?
Kim Ogg: Yes
Sean Teare: Yes
Dan Simons: Did not respond
4. Will you establish and follow an office policy to use respectful, accurate, person-centered language when talking about people involved with the criminal legal system, for example by refraining from using harmful and outdated language like "convict" "inmate" "felon" "prisoner" and "illegal immigrant"?
Kim Ogg: No
Sean Teare: Yes
Dan Simons: Did not respond
5. Will you support legislation to legalize and regulate marijuana for adult-use, just like we do for alcohol?
Kim Ogg: Yes
Sean Teare: Yes
Dan Simons: Did not respond
6. Will you support legislation prohibiting money bail for misdemeanors?
Kim Ogg: No
Sean Teare: Yes
Dan Simons: Did not respond
7. Will you decline to seek to certify juveniles to be tried as adults?
Kim Ogg: No
Sean Teare: Yes
Dan Simons: Did not respond
8. Will you publicly oppose efforts to further criminalize abortion care and interstate travel for abortion and other healthcare?
Kim Ogg: Yes
Sean Teare: Yes
Dan Simons: Did not respond
9. Will you support legislation creating a presumption of pretrial release, except in cases where a judge finds that conditions of release are insufficient to ensure appearance in court or the safety of the community?
Kim Ogg: No
Sean Teare: Yes
Dan Simons: Did not respond
10. Will you oppose legislation that further criminalizes or harms immigrant communities?
Kim Ogg: Yes
Sean Teare: Yes
Dan Simons: Did not respond
The next District Attorney will have a lasting impact on families and communities across Harris County. You can vote early in person starting Feb. 20 through March 1, or on Election Day March 5.
As a nonpartisan organization, the ACLU of Texas doesn’t endorse any candidate but helps voters understand the candidates’ positions on mass incarceration, money bail, and other justice reforms. This page is meant to bring transparency and accountability to the DA’s office.
