Cobwebs and Ben Gay
Y’all have heard me talk about one of our local Republican Sheriff candidates, Craig Brady. He’s a hotheaded little dude who cannot even come to the candidate debates because he looses his temper. I’m not joking. There is not enough Valium in the world to control him.
It pains me to mention him at all because I’m hoping he’ll win the GOP primary. The Democrats have an excellent candidate for this open seat and Brady would be the easy to beat. A couple of months ago, the Democratic candidate picked the slogan, “Law Enforcement for the 21st Century.”
And that was before he saw Craig Brady’s endorsement list.
I think the Democratic candidate has a crystal ball. Brady, bless his heart, has leadership for the 13th century.
I’m putting his endorsements over there to the side as I talk about each one of these endorsers. You can click the little one to get the big one. Before you start reading, please remember that this a minority majority county.
By 2011 Fort Bend was ranked the fourth most racially-diverse country in the United States by USA Today
Craig Brady Endorsements
Sheriff Milton Wright – the retiring sheriff. He’s a 73 year old white guy. In the past his endorsement has been the kiss of death for Republican candidates.
Marshall Whichard – a 75 year old white guy who lost the sheriff’s race in 1996.
Rusty Hardin – another old white guy who doesn’t even live the county. Plus, he’s a Democrat and a criminal defense lawyer.
Retired Texas Ranger Jeff Cook – Retired, old white guy. Doesn’t even live here.
Former Sheriff Perry Hillegiest – a 60 year old white guy who doesn’t live here and was beaten like a drum for sheriff in 1996 after he got caught being extorted by a cute little topless dancer arsonist with generous hoochy favors. (Y’all think I’m making this stuff up, don’t ya? I’m not.)
State Representative John and Cindy Zerwas – Great, a youngster! He’s a 57 year old white guy. I better not hear one single word from Zerwas about “family values” from now on. Unless, of course, a man getting his much, much younger subordinate pregnant and then leaving his wife for her is the new Republican family values.
State Representative Allen Fletcher – wow – two in a row! Another 57 year old white guy. He also doesn’t live here. He lives in Tomball. What the hell does he care?
Former County Commissioner R. L. “Bud” O’Shieles – Oh Dear God. He’s a 77 year old white guy who got soundly defeated for county commissioner after his superintendent was convicted for defrauding the county. He moved away – in shame. Now lives in Marble Falls.
Former County Commissioner Johnnie Pustka – a 78 year old white guy who was defeated for re-election after voting against Martin Luther King Day, calling it “N***** Day.”
Former Astros Pitcher Shane and Pam Reynolds – I don’t think he even lives in Texas. He’s not now nor has ever been registered to vote in Fort Bend County. He’s a mere baby – a 44 year old white guy.
Former Fort Bend County Republican Party Chairman Eric Thode – I can’t even go there. He was the political director for Enron. White guy. Doesn’t live here. Moved away. Thank God.
So there you have it – diversity Craig Brady style: Old white guy, older white guy, ancient white guy, loser old white guy, shamed old white guy, doesn’t live here, doesn’t care white guy. Yep – that’s some diversity to be proud of.
I’m sure locals will have some color to add, but Brady’s endorsements are a damn hoot around the courthouse.
No fair! You kids in FBC have all the fun stuff going on in your politics…
1Yeah but he didn’t get the coveted Tom DeLay nod of approval.
2I’ll bet he has the biggest billboards…
3Every time I went to El Paso to visit the folks, I was confronted with the headlines in the local papers (El Paso had an afternoon paper for the longest time) detailing the latest malfeasance of the current sheriff. Was (is?) this just a local problem? It seemed that every single one of them was caught doing something illegal and was under arrest/investigation. BTW, Cathy Lanier just signed a new, 5-year contract to remain as the Chief of Police in DC. Gotta brag about something.
4I was fired by Craig Brady last year for being Hispanic, prior to me about 3 other Hispanics and 6 black Deputies were also fired, I wasnt afforded a grievance board, it was denied by Craig Brady. There were many white Deputies who committed criminal activities like sgts (family member of Craig) ( jail corporal family member of Craig), Sgt falsified gvmt records and was demoted but has been promoted again. Corporal convicted thief lost her license but Craig and Milton went to Austin to appeal it. I was fire for leaving 15 minutes early, other white deputies and Sgts leave 45min to an Hour early, Another white deputy involved in a hit and run with his patrol car was brought back 3 weeks later. What kind of crap is this? If Craig gets elected Fort Bend Sheriffs office will be a horrible place to work.
5Failed to mention. while I worked there I witness high rank officials refer to blacks as n**$*s and hispanics as sp**s not even caring who was around. Another Deputy beat the crap out of hispanic guy and was on in car video tape and all he got was a pat in the back and a little anger management class so ironic that this deputy received a medal of honor for being brave in a bank robbery shooting
6Excuse the mispelled words im using my touch screen phone..by the way I believe I was fired for being hispanic, for getting sick, and for supporting his candidate. I have many recordings of craig’s captains talking to me derrogatorily and of Milton telling me hes sorry I was terminated but there was nothing he could do because Craig and his Brady bunch had already decided and told him it was final
7I am an African American employee at the Fort Bend County Sheriff’s Office. I work the streets and am here to tell ya’ll that favoritism, sexism and racism are all present here.
8I have heard Lt’s and Captain’s make racial comments or lewd jokes against women employees. You can’t complain or you will get targeted and shut down or fired.
I will say I enjoy my job and there have been supervisors that stood up to bullyin and try to make things better. I known two good sergeants that got busted down to deputy because they argued against the firing of a black deputy. I think they also added some other made up complaints against them too, but they got shut down for bucking the system. One is still working at the s.o. and one retired. We need new leadership and people like those 2 demoted sergeants to stand up for the workers.
JAs the Deputy who was involved with the hit and run but brought back I feel the need to respond as my reputation has been brought into this mess. You are correct that I committed a hit and run, but you forgot to mention that it was an in-progress assault call where I was running lights and sirens. The accident was reported to the shift Sgt and a Captain. I owned up to my mistake and paid the price. I know that I am a white male and I understand why you would be upset but throwing down the race card like that is kinda chicken. I have a couple buddies who have been promoted and do get recognized for their achievements even though they are not “white”. It is true there is racism at the SO, but that can be said everywhere including this article. I understand you are upset “Alex” about being terminated, but to be honest bud based on your other issues which I will not mention here law enforcement is not a good choice for you or the safety of others.
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