Gordon Quan to challenge Ed Emmet for County Judge seat


HOUSTON — At a Houston event surrounded by friends, family, and supporters last week, former Houston City Councilman Gordon Quan signed the paperwork to run as a Democrat for Harris County Judge. He would be running against the incumbent, Republican Ed Emmet, the current Harris County Judge.

“I want to bring new ideas to the County Government and look to address the root causes of the problems to develop solutions and not just put a bandage on the problem,” Quan stated during his remarks at the event.

Mr. Quan spoke on several issues he would like to address as Harris County’s next County Judge. Specifically he discussed the following priorities:

• Reforming our criminal justice system
• Addressing homelessness and mental health issues
• Economic development
• Making Seniors and healthcare a priority

The former city councilman said he wanted to work hand-in-hand with the county commissioners, Sheriff Adrian Garcia, District Attorney Pat Lykos, and legislators like State Senator Rodney Ellis, who introduced Quan at the event, to set criteria for fines verses confinement for minor offenses, a centralized jail system for more rapid bonding, the development of a public defender system and a regional DNA lab to avoid wrongful confinement. He also said he wants to explore methods to remove from the criminal justice system people who are homeless and suffering from mental health issues. Quan argued this would remove “frequent flyers” from our jails and emergency rooms where they run up hundreds of thousands of dollars in cost for taxpayers.

Noting that the U.S. is facing difficult economic times, Mr. Quan said he would support the efforts of the Greater Houston Partnership in recruiting large companies and make helping small businesses a priority. He noted that small and medium-sized businesses provide more rapid job growth in Harris County and provide the majority of new jobs in America.

“For the past 30 years, I have been assisting businesses and entrepreneurs in making Harris County home,” Quan said. “In the private sector, I am already working on Regional Investment Centers to attract foreign investment to this County — New York and Chicago have already done this and we need to follow suit.”

“As County Judge, I will designate areas for ‘targeted employment’ for brokers to use in marketing investment opportunities.”

Mr. Quan ended his remarks by touching on seniors’ issues.

“One population I will continue to champion is our senior citizens,” he said. “As life expectancy has been extended, I want Harris County to view this population as an asset, not a liability. I would like to see us as a national leader on geriatric care.”

Gordon Quan grew up in Houston’s East End where his father ran a grocery store. He earned a BA from the University of Texas, a M. Ed. from the University of Houston, and his law degree from South Texas College of Law. Quan met his wife, Sylvia, on the University of Houston Campus, and they have been together ever since. They raised three daughters here in Houston.