Ponton is the new DA

By ALBERTO TOMAS HALPERN

FAR WEST TEXAS – Rod Ponton defeated Frank Brown in the Democratic Party runoff election for 83^rd District Attorney by 126 votes Tuesday.

Rod Ponton

Ponton, the current Alpine city attorney and a former Presidio County and city of Presidio attorney, polled 1,789 votes in the four-county race to 1,663 votes for Brown, a former 83^rd DA.

Both Ponton and Brown outpolled current DA Jesse Gonzales Jr. in the May primary election.

Ponton took Presidio, Brewster, and Pecos counties, and 52 percent of the ballots cast in the area-wide race, while Brown won in Jeff Davis County.

“I was just gratified for all the support I’ve had, particularly from law enforcement,” Ponton said the morning after the election.

Brown also was grateful to his supporters. “I just thank my supporters. They worked very hard.”

Reflecting on the outcome of the election, Brown added, “You just have to get on down the road.” Brown, who runs a private law practice, says he has no plans at the moment in terms of public or elected service. He was the two-term 83^rd DA before Gonzales.

The two candidates – and their supporters – put up quite a fight, with their race dominating headlines in area newspapers and on local and area radio and television.

“It was hard-won respect,” Ponton said of winning three of the four counties in the district.

With no Republican opponent in the November general election, Ponton takes office in January 2013.