Clay Got COVID19 and his political foes wasted no time attacking him.
In a statement released Tuesday, Dallas County Judge said he tested for COVID19.
Political opponents like Barry Wernick came out immediately to wish Jenkins well. They also hoped he would take his own medicine and isolate.
Clay Got COVID19 – Ignoring Own Warnings
Four sources confirmed that Jenkins most recent routine did not include masks or social distancing.
Several of those sources believe Jenkins was isolating before the diagnosis given his recent work habits.
The same sources say Jenkins wanted to run for Governor. They say he has no fire to be Dallas County Judge anymore.
One county staffer said, “he is going through the motions, but isn’t there mentally anymore.”
COVID19 Stats
Cases are on the rise again though down from last year. Dallas County is currently on an “Extreme Caution” warning level.
At this time last year, Dallas County was exeriencing its highest infection rate totals since February 2021. In early August 2021, Dallas was experiencing 700 new cases per day. We are just over half that number now.
It appears Andrew Sommerman paid for endorsements in his campaign for County Commissioner 2.
According to Texas Ethics Commission reports Andrew Sommerman has given generously to a number of candidates who all seem to endorse him shortly thereafter.
In April we reported on internal emails where Sommerman begged for endorsements from local figures and then he and his staff trashed those same individuals in private.
Clay Jenkins figures prominently in Sommerman’s campaign after trying to steer $250,000 in legal fees to Sommerman’s firm over a lawsuit against Governor Abbott and coronavirus response.
Locally, Jenkins has ordered a low warning order over COVID19 despite rapidly rising cases at both Parkland Hospital and Childrens Medical Center Dallas. Additionally, it appears county officials have suggested not testing all patients despite these rapidly rising cases as Jenkins tries to get his candidate across the finish line to November.
Sommerman Paid For Endorsements And Gave Generously To Republicans
Additionally, Sommerman and his firm donated more than $20,000 to GOP candidates including a judge in Abilene that has no impact on Dallas, unless your law firm is practicing in front of that judge. Judge Jeffrey Probst received $500 just two years ago.
Sommerman is also lining up with former Republican Alexandra Guio in HD114. Significant in that race is Guio’s appointment to the City Redistricting Commission she was appointed to shortly before ghosting her appointing authority Paula Blackmon.
The full TEC report for Sommerman can be viewed below.
One Democratic Precinct Chair in Commissioners Court 2 said, “Andrew Sommerman looks more and more like the used car salesman who sells you a defective car, but then turns into the ambulance chasing lawyer once that car causes an accident.”
That Precinct Chair continued, “Buyer beware. Do we really need another old white guy representing Dallas County? Sommerman is half a step away from Joe Manchin in his dealings with GOP.”
It is unclear if Sommerman is trying to knock on doors to win the race or simply buy the office.
Andrew Sommerman sinks supporters in a number of emails released to Facebook by community activist Avi Adelman.
After the March 1 Democratic primary vote, Philip Kingston announced his endorsement of Andrew Sommerman.
Sommerman seeks the endorsement of individuals in public and then trashes them in private.
The move was a surprise to many, but for some activists, a bridge too far and it appears the benefactor of Kingston’s decision thinks it is bad too.
In an email to Avi Adelman, the Sommerman campaign called Kingston “offensive and a bad actor…” in the public sphere.
The campaign which appears to be seeking Adelman’s endorsement then goes on to send a message to its team about Adelman calling him a “loud person.” Unfortunately for the campaign, the private message made its way to Adelma who published it.
If Andrew Sommerman will attack his own supporters, do you think he cares about individual voters?
Sommerman, a local personal injury lawyer, said he chose to run for the County Commission 2 seat because “he doesn’t want political theater to drive public health policymaking.”
But he later won the Dallas Morning News primary endorsement on a platform of arguing for criminals to be released into the community to lower jail costs despite a long recent history of Dallas criminal judges lowering bail to allow dangerous defendants to be out on bond and Dallas police unable or unwilling to respond to local crime.
It is unclear based on Sommerman’s private conversations what he believes.
Adelman’s emails show Sommerman seeks the endorsement of individuals in public and then trashes them in private.
This endorsement controversy makes some Democrats nervous about the newly gerrymandered seat.
One local community person said, “I’ve talked to a dozen people like Avi – people who work the polls, precinct chairs, donors – and they all say the same thing. They will vote for JJ Koch in November if Andrew Sommerman beats Michelle Ocker in May.”
“Sommerman is the worst kind of insider. He sells out his supporters without thinking about it as long as it advances Andrew Sommerman,” she continued. “He is also playing a good old boy club with he and Kingston and Tom Ervin lining up against Michelle [Ocker] who has held elective office and served constituents.”
Another unaffiliated campaign volunteer noted this shows how bad Democratic Party politics is right now.
“If Andrew Sommerman will attack his own supporters, do you think he cares about individual voters?”
In the other major Dallas race, endorsements continue to come in for Jane Hope Hamilton who is hoping to beat Jasmine Crockett in their runoff.
The Texas Commission on Jail Standards says Dallas jails fail again after its mid February visit said the localjail “fails to comply with minimum standards.”
It is the second consecutive year under Sheriff Marian Brown’s management that the jail failed its annual inspection.
Under Brown’s leadership, Dallas jails fail again and again not only the inmates they are provided custody over, but also their own employees, including Damon Finney. There is also an open investigation into how $600,000 was stolen from inmate accounts.
Her management has also led to low morale among remaining deputy sheriffs who say the low staffing levels inhibit their ability to monitor inmates according to state standards.
The Findings Of Why Dallas Jails Fail Again
Here are some of the inspection’s findings:
Genetaror tests not being performed to ensure backup in case of disaster conditions.
Inmates using K2 – a synthetic marijuana – that created fumes throughout the area.
Inspectors found forty doors that were inoperable either due to inmate destruction or lack of maintenance.
Laundry staff not exchanging clothing and washable items.
Suicidal inmates “were being incorrectly documented.”
Sheriff Brown and her staff must develop remediation plans to return to compliance and provide them to the jail inspectors.
Marian Brown and Dallas County Sheriff’s Office refused request for comment.
The report creates another avenue for Lauren Davis in her November match up against Clay Jenkins and his mismanagement of Dallas County.
The letter from the commission to Judge Jenkins and Sheriff Brown is here:
Dallas County Democrats have numerous contested races including at the top of the ballot where they are expected to nominate Beto O’Rourke. This is the Democrat sample ballot.
Dallas County Republicans mostly have contested races at the top of the ticket including Don Huffines challenging Greg Abbott for the gubernatorial nod and who will face Colin Allred in TX32.
One day before primary voters choose party standard bearers, Dallas County and Dallas ISD surrenders on masks to Lauren Davis and reality.
Lauren Davis is challenging Edwin Flores for the Republican nomination to challenge Clay Jenkins in the November General Election.
Davis has gained prominence leading protests at Dealey Montessori Academy starting in September and as Chief Culture Officer for The Gents Place which has had unique views unrelated to men’s salon services recently.
The protests caused parent anger, particularly when Dallas Police seemed to go out of their way to protect white protestor rights over those of Black Lives Matter protests just a year prior. The protests seemed to be the impetus for Beth Wing’s sudden departure.
The Hinojosa flip flop comes as he reportedly prepares a mayoral run next year.
Dallas, Dallas ISD Surrenders On Masks – Any Change In Data?
In a late Friday afternoon statement, Judge Clay Jenkins announced his revised order regarding mask requirements in Dallas County.
“One hour after the CDC recommendation today, the public health committee met to look at hospital numbers here, medical modeling from UT Southwestern, and other information critical to advising,” said Jenkins.
However, some say, “What order? Government facilities have not mandated masks. Look at local theater operations,” said one county employee.
Many have complained that neither Dallas County, nor City of Dallas, took serious precautions once they decided to open back up.
“The theater here is that we needed masks,” the employee said. “This has all been political posturing by people who have magnetic attractions to microphones.”
“Clay Jenkins never mentioned paper masks don’t work against omicron. You need a N95 or KN95, but that doesn’t work for his audience of knitting circles.”
Both Dallas and Dallas schools says masks will no longer be mandated, but that they are “recommended.”
A “Dallas County gerrymander” per a court watcher. Dallas County Commissioners’ Court voted to gerrymander JJ Koch out of his seat and then heard comments about the vote afterward. Dr. Elba Garcia called the process “tainted” and was clearly unhappy with both process and result.
Dallas County Gerrymander
The gerrymander does not seem to extend to Constable or Justice of the Peace precincts. The map there was passed as Map A Revised.
Other Side Dallas will update with a finalized Commissioner’s Court map when available.
No voting for you says Dallas County Elections staff after not allowing a Dallas County registered voter to participate in the nonpartisan election during Early Voting session Friday, October 29, 2021.
Earlier this year hearings were held on Senate Bill 1 (SB1) and House Bill 3(HB3) which Democrats said would make voting harder, but this appears to be poorly trained staff following last year’s departure of Toni Pippins-Poole, a John Wiley Price disciple whose administration was mired in similar accusations.
No Voting For You Despite Public Pledges Otherwise
The county elections department website says in its mission statement it is to “accurately maintain voter registration records,” but it seems difficult at best.
Dallas County Elections staff stated they could not make an accomodation for a voter they admit should have been given a provisional ballot.
A staff member with JJ Koch said that voters who experience problems voting should first demand a provisional ballot. Additionally voters can make a formal complaint here which will be responded to by the full Dallas County Commissioner’s Court.
