Jeremy Sylestine, a defense attorney and former prosecutor in the DA’s office, will face incumbent José Garza who was elected in 2020. The winner will face off with Republican Daniel Betts in the November general election.
Candidates were asked to keep responses under 50 words, answer the questions provided and avoid attacking opponents.
Community Impact is only asking candidates in contested Republican or Democratic primaries to answer questionnaires.
*indicates incumbent
José Garza*
Experience:
District Attorney, former Executive Director of Workers Defense Project, Obama Administration appointee, public defender
Occupation:
Travis County District Attorney
Candidate Website:
www.joseforda.com
Contact Information:
[email protected]
What will be your top priorities if you are elected?
We are making progress toward fixing our broken criminal justice system and will continue to do so by standing with survivors of sexual assault, treating addiction and substance abuse as a public health crisis while reducing mass incarceration, and implementing programs to prevent gun violence in our community.
What uniquely qualifies you for this position?
Since serving as DA, we’ve improved our public safety by investing in community-based solutions, reducing reliance on incarceration, and partnering with law enforcement to address gun violence. We’ve held people who commit acts of violence accountable and moved more sexual assault cases forward to prosecution to help survivors get justice.
What is something you want Travis County residents to know about you?
Together, we stood up to Greg Abbott when he sought to criminalize people who seek abortions and we stood up to Ken Paxton when he sought to remove transgender children from their parents. I’m proud to stand up for the values of our community as your District Attorney.
Jeremy Sylestine
Experience:
Trial lawyer, public defender, adjunct professor at UT School of Law
Occupation:
Criminal defense attorney
Candidate Website:
https://jeremysylestine.com/
Contact Information:
512-222-7125
What will be your top priorities if you are elected?
Restoration of trust in the DA's Office by victims/survivors of domestic violence and child abuse. Emphasis on jury trials as the best form of feedback from the Travis County community. Reduce the backlog of over 7,000 unindicted felony cases.
What uniquely qualifies you for this position?
I've been a lawyer for almost 20 years with over 15 as a felony prosecutor. I spent half of that time handling child abuse and domestic violence cases. I know Travis County juries and judges and bring expertise and balance to a system that isn't functioning as it should.
What is something you want Travis County residents to know about you?
I grew up in east Texas on the Alabama-Coushatta Indian Reservation but have called Austin home since 2006. I'm a husband, girl dad, UT alum, and longtime public servant. I coach my girls' sports teams as often as I can.
