By Shelley Kofler
http://stream.publicbroadcasting.net/production/mp3/kera/local-kera-694762.mp3
Dallas – Former Dallas County Sheriff Jim Bowles will not get his old job back. He was overwhelmed in yesterday's republican run-off race by former Irving Police Chief Lowell Cannaday. Cannaday got 89-percent of the vote compared to Bowles 11% . KERA's Shelley Kofler reports the stage is now set for November.
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It took solid months of burning shoe leather, and spending much of the 300-thousand dollars he'd raised. But in the runoff veteran lawman Lowell Cannaday trounced former five-term sheriff Jim Bowles who made a strong showing during the primary.
Bowles chalked up this loss to jumping into the race late and not getting his message across. He was also hurt by an indictment for misuing campaign money and accusations he accepted gifts from a jail contractor, even though authorities dismissed the charges.
Bowles: I have a completely clear conscience and a clear record. And speaking in distinct clear English: I was a damn good sheriff.
Cannaday says his campaign mailers reminding voters of the investigations helped his bury his opponent. In turning now to his race ahead against incumbent democratic sheriff Lupe Valdez, Cannaday says the issue will be competence.
Cannaday: The overriding issue from appearances seems to be the jail. But the fact of the matter is the true overriding issue is the leadership that necessary not just to fix the jail but the other human resources and equipment issues they have.
Both democrat and republic state parties will now weigh in with support and money as Cannaday now blames Valdez of running such a poor jail it failed inspections. Valdez will argue much of the damage was done before her watch and she's brought change.
Valdez election in 2004 laid the groundwork for a democratic sweep of all contested races in the county two years later. Republicans want to reclaim what they lost.