In the biggest surprise of the young local election season, Fort Bend County Attorney Ben “Bud” Childers will file Monday to run on the Republican ticket for judge of County Court #1.
“I’ve been thinking about this for years,” Childers said Sunday night. “I’m at the age where I need to make a decision about the future.”
Childers said because of his respect for sitting judges, he didn’t want to run against an incumbent. However, current County Court #1 Judge David Hunter was appointed to the position in August to replace retiring Judge Larry Wagenbach. Hunter said at the time he won’t run for the office.
Childers noted that he has more than a year left in his term as county attorney, and by filing for the judge’s race, “it’ll mean an automatic resignation.”
On Monday morning, Fort Bend County Judge Bob Hebert said he had received Childers’ letter of resignation.
Local candidates’ filing deadline is Monday at 6 p.m. However, because of the late notice of his resignation, Childers said, the filing deadline for county attorney will be extended to all political parties for five days.
Fort Bend County Republican Party Chairman Eric Thode agreed Monday morning, saying the Texas Election Code calls for a five-day filing extension in case a candidate resigns or dies in office during the filing period.
If a resignation or death in office occurs after the filing period has ended, Thode said, the appropriate governmental body would appoint a replacement.
Childers said, “there is a fellow in my office who I think is interested” in filing for county attorney. That fellow is Roy Cordes Jr., first assistant county attorney and a former Fort Bend County Judge.
When Cordes held the latter position, he was a Democrat. However, Childers said if Cordes files for county attorney, he’ll file as a Republican. Cordes could not be reached Sunday night.
“I’d feel a whole lot easier if he did file,” Childers said, because Cordes is familiar with the position and “he’d hold the office together.”
“The expectation is that Cordes will file, and file as a Republican,” Thode said.
Childers will face Republicans Nina Schaefer, Robert Yack and Larry Thomas in the primary. The winner will meet Democrat Rudy Velasquez in the general election.
“I’ve been thinking about this for years,” Childers said Sunday night. “I’m at the age where I need to make a decision about the future.”
Childers said because of his respect for sitting judges, he didn’t want to run against an incumbent. However, current County Court #1 Judge David Hunter was appointed to the position in August to replace retiring Judge Larry Wagenbach. Hunter said at the time he won’t run for the office.
Childers noted that he has more than a year left in his term as county attorney, and by filing for the judge’s race, “it’ll mean an automatic resignation.”
