Rick Perry is defending his attempt to coerce Travis County District Attorney Rosemary Lehmberg out of office—an attempt which resulted in not one, but two indictment charges—by claiming that he was taking a stance against her drunk driving conviction.
However, a look at the Governor’s history with Republican officials charged with drunk driving undermines his case.While it’s true that Rosemary Lehmberg drove drunk, and that her actions following the arrest are indefensible, it’s also true that she went through the legal process, saw a judge, and served time. But this wasn’t good enough for Rick Perry as he sought to force her from office.This becomes highly suspect upon review of the Governor’s previous treatment of public officials charged with drunk driving— treatment which includes looking the other way entirely, and allowing one official to rise in rank.
In 2011, Republican and former State Representative Jim Stick was arrested for drunk driving. He has since been appointed as chief legal counsel for the Texas Health and Human Services Commission, earning an annual salary of $162,000.
via Rick Perry’s Inconvenient History With Republicans Charged with Drunk Driving | Progress Texas.