Eiserloh piling up endorsements in judge campaign

Attorney Laurie Eiserloh, who lost in a runoff to Delia Garza for Travis County Attorney last year, has set her sights on becoming the next judge of the 455th District Court. She has compiled a lengthy list of notable Austinites who support her in the race for the Democratic nomination. Those supporters include Mayor Steve Adler, Council members Alison Alter, Ann Kitchen, Leslie Pool and Kathie Tovo, all four Travis County commissioners – Jeff Travillion, Brigid Shea, Ann Howard and Margaret Gómez – the entire Travis County delegation at the Legislature, and former senators Kirk Watson and Gonzalo Barrientos. Eiserloh told the Austin Monitor that another attorney had planned on running for the seat, but decided to run for a Court of Appeals position instead. Currently, Republican Cleve Doty is serving as the judge in the court after being appointed by Gov. Greg Abbott in October. Prior to his appointment, Doty was an assistant attorney general. He also served as counsel for the First Liberty Institute and as an associate for Baker Botts. Doty has not indicated whether he wants to run for the position. Both Republican and Democratic primaries are scheduled for March 1.