Acker v. Reynolds Part II

Two attorneys who fought out a war of words and called for each other’s jobs through removal petitions in April will now battle politically for the district attorney’s position.

Ward County Attorney Kevin Acker filed with the Democratic Party on Wednesday to run for 143rd Judicial District Attorney Randall Reynolds’ job.

“I was expecting that he was interested in my job, and he might file,” Reynolds said Thursday.

During the political fallout of the Texas Youth Commission statewide scandal, some called out Reynolds, who’s also a Democrat, for not prosecuting two men who were accused of sexual encounters with teen males inside the West Texas State School in Ward County.

Complaints were made against both former TYC administrators in February 2005, but charges weren’t filed against them until April 2007. Even Gov. Rick Perry publicly reprimanded Reynolds for allowing the case file to sit in district office, which covers Reeves and Ward counties.

However, the heaviest scrutiny likely came from Acker. The attorney announced that he planned to file a removal petition against Reynolds if he didn’t resign. He was equipped with a 40-name witness list that included Perry and other state-level officials.

Before Acker filed his complaint, Reynolds countered with a removal petition against Acker, claiming official misconduct, incompetence and “intentionally (subjecting) Randall W. Reynolds to mistreatment.”

In late April, the attorneys agreed to dismiss both removal suits and said they were pleased the conflict could be put behind them.

Reynolds is looking forward to the race, he said, and recognized that the TYC fallout likely will be an issue he’ll have to address.

“What a better way than letting the citizens decide who will best represent them and who is most qualified for the office,” Reynolds said.

Numerous phone calls and messages Wednesday and Thursday to Acker’s office, home and cellular phones were not returned.

Acker filed on the final day that Texas candidates can declare their intentions. The state constitution forces office holders to resign from an elected position if a candidate declares an intention to seek another office more than a year before their current term expires.

Reynolds lives in Reeves County, and Acker lives in Ward County.

Reynolds was first elected as district attorney in 1996.

The primary is March 4.