A Harris County Democratic Party committee is expected to take a second vote Saturday on a contentious resolution that would condemn District Attorney Kim Ogg as a faction of party leadership argues the second-term Democrat does not represent the party’s values. Ogg has dismissed the claims against her as “misinformation.”
The party’s resolutions committee gave preliminary approval to the measure on Thursday, advancing it to the steering committee for further consideration by a narrow majority with 11 votes in favor, nine opposed and one abstention.
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If the steering committee approves on Saturday, the resolution will go to a final vote at the party’s Dec. 12 county executive committee meeting. If it gets to the executive committee, the measure would need support from a simple majority of precinct chairs in attendance to pass.
The group pushing for admonishment have accused Ogg of working against fellow Democrats, aligning with Republicans and opposing the party’s efforts to reform the misdemeanor cash bail system. Among the many grievances listed in the resolution, critics cited “false claims” Ogg has made that fellow Democrats “defunded” law enforcement and a recent Chronicle investigation that found Ogg had launched multiple criminal investigations against officials within her own party with whom she was publicly feuding.
Harris County District Attorney Kim Ogg announces 15 new charges against six Houston Police Department officers in the Harding Street raid during a press conference Wednesday, July 1, 2020, in Houston. Additional to former officers Gerald Goines and Steven Bryant, four more officers, including supervisors.
Yi-Chin Lee, Houston Chronicle / Staff photographerAfter Thursday’s committee vote, Ogg called her critics “a few partisan extremists” who do not represent the Democratic voters of Harris County.
However, Rebecca Shukla, a precinct chair who supports the resolution to admonish Ogg, called Ogg’s reaction “insulting” to precinct chairs who “donate countless hours, dollars and other resources to help support the party by knocking doors, making phone calls and hosting meetings.”
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Saturday’s committee meeting started around 4 p.m. and was already packed with Ogg’s supporters and critics. It was not known how long the meeting would last.
Check back for updates as this story evolves.
