Harris County District Attorney's race heats up

HOUSTON (KTRK) -- A Rice University political science professor says with 13 days to elections, the marquis race to watch is Harris County DA.

Harris County Republican DA Devon Anderson and Democratic challenger Kim Ogg seem to agree on one thing. Anderson says, "I think it's getting to the end and she's getting a little desperate." Ogg says, "In politics desperate candidates, do desperate things."

Anderson campaigned at the Bayland Community Center early voting location after the Houston Police Officer's Union endorsed her Wednesday morning.

"We work together to fight crime. If there's antagonism or bad relationship it really causes problems, and who suffers? The citizens," Anderson says.

Ogg is making the rounds too, speaking outside her opponents office and responding to the union's claims she did not protect a victim's identity while serving as executive director of Crime Stoppers.

"I bring judgment -- the same thing the HPOU is saying that I don't," Ogg says.

Rice University professor of political science Mark Jones says it's encouraging a lot of the finger pointing has involved prosecuting and policy.

"Here voters have the luxury of having two very qualified candidates. and they can choose between the candidate whose policies they like the best," Jones says.

How or whether to prosecute low-level drug offenders has been a big part of that debate.

"I don't think that's within the discretion or is wise for the DA to pick and choose what to prosecute," Anderson says.

Ogg says, "While it's a partisan race, the job of DA is not a partisan position. People want a DA who will make them safe but also value their constitutional rights and apply the law equally to everyone."

Professor Jones says high turnout will benefit Ogg, where partisan voting will likely play to Anderson's favor.

Ogg's campaign released a more detailed response to the union's claims Wednesday afternoon.