Former FBI agent on email investigation: It's 'the pursuit of the truth'

HOUSTON (KTRK) -- The FBI reopening of her email investigation was the first thing Hillary Clinton mentioned when she spoke at a rally in Ohio this afternoon: "I am sure they will reach the same conclusion they did when they looked at my emails for the last year. There is no case here."

Regardless, FBI Director James Comey's decision to tell Congress about the investigation into newly discovered emails -- reportedly recovered in a separate investigation into Clinton's aide's estranged husband -- has sent shockwaves through what was already an explosive political season.

We now know from sources close to the investigation that dozens of FBI personnel are moving with urgency, sifting through thousands of emails between the aide and Clinton. Director Comey is receiving regular updates on their progress.

"This is another unprecedented event in an election cycle that has been chock full of unprecedented events," said Mark Jones, a political science professor at Rice University. He says that, despite this latest October surprise, the political implications on election day will do less to hurt Hillary Clinton than other democrats on the ballot.

"The principal impact of this could happen down ballot in several key senate races throughout the country that will determine whether republicans of democrats control the US senate next cycle," Jones added.

Comey has come under fire for what detractors have claimed was unethical, ill-timed, politically motivated and wrong.

Former prosecutors and even a former Attorney General have criticized Comey's move, saying he hasn't given enough information about what new evidence may exist.

Former FBI agent James Conway doesn't see it that way.

"I don't think they're in a difficult position. Their focus is upholding the law and being objective and pursuing investigations to the end result," Conway told Eyewitness News.

Conway says Comey is doing what he's paid to do and he had no choice but alert congress given those newly discovered emails.

"There's a lot of politics going on and we're in the silly season of politics with the election coming up. But I think what the American people have to understand is that the FBI takes its responsibility to the American people very serious. And that is the pursuit of the truth," he added.