“I am deeply honored by his confidence, and look forward to the new challenges and important work that lie ahead,” Ron Clark said at a news conference from his Sherman law office Thursday, referring to the fact that President Bush was signing the certificate of appointment. The President's signature on the certificate was the final step towards Clark becoming a federal judge.
“I am deeply honored by his confidence, and look forward to the new challenges and important work that lie ahead,” Clark said. He also expressed appreciation to the people of District 62, where he has served as State Representative for the past six years. “I want to reiterate what a pleasure and an honor it has been to be your State Representative,” he said.
During the 3-5 weeks it will take Clark to wrap things up at his law practice and his office in Austin, his staff will be on hand to help his constituents. Clark reminded anyone who needed help to please call his office. His talented staff will move on to other endeavors. Since there was a seven month delay before the Senate voted to confirm his nomination as judge, the deadline to withdraw from the current State Representative race has passed and Clark’s name will be on the ballot in November. However, Clark can not serve as State Representative, as judges cannot hold any other office.
If Clark wins the election in November, the counties of Grayson and Fannin (District 62) will be forced to endure a special election. A special election would basically start the whole campaign process over again, this time with a different Republican candidate to run against Democrat Donnie Jarvis. Mr. Clark urged his incumbent to stop campaigning and agree to a special election. While a special election is certainly an option, it would cost the counties many thousand dollars. Also, the special election would leave District 62 without a voice in Austin during the next legislative session. Without a representative in Austin, the district would not have a chance to voice concerns during the session. That increases the possibility that District 62 could lose even more money, as money from the state is issued to each district at the sessions.
“I congratulate Ron Clark and his family for this great honor,” Donny Jarvis said Thursday. As far as Clark’s call for Jarvis to quit campaigning for the benefit of the people of the district, Jarvis said, “I am in this campaign for the citizens. I want to save the taxpayer’s money, I want to be their Representative, and I want to save District 62 the necessity of not being represented in Austin.”
Clark’s opponent, Donnie Jarvis, responded to the announcement with congratulations for Clark and his family. “I congratulate Ron Clark and his family for this great honor,” Jarvis said. Jarvis pointed out the importance of Clark getting to his new job quickly. The Beaumont Court has a 3,700 case backlog, and has been in “Emergency Status” since April 2001.
As far as Clark’s call for Jarvis to quit campaigning for the benefit of the people of the district, Jarvis said, “I am in this campaign for the citizens. I want to save the taxpayer’s money, I want to be their Representative, and I want to save District 62 the necessity of not being represented in Austin.” Jarvis said that he is opposed to a special election because that would cause tax increases in both Grayson and Fannin counties. He does want voters to have a choice, though, and urges everyone to get out and vote on November 5.