Missed the point "thepeoplesadvocate". It was your blog that stated people who vote or are for Tyler have no morals. Who the hell do you think you are??? If you ain't god I would not comment. You would be surprised at the people for Tyler. You probably work with them! Anybody that questions morals because you support a person lacks sense!

Bill Clinton.... now there's a role model. Cheats on his wife and makes not just local, state and national news ..... instead embrasses his wife in all of the above ....as well as internationally. And you guys are so tight that he shared with you who he voted for ...for president. Impressive for sure. I would take Tyler over Clinton any day ... just not over Branch.

SpeakOut10 said "Hell.....Bill Clinton voted for OBAMA...does that make him a dumb a-- with low morals."

Thats not a very compelling argument for your point of view ;)

In your defence though, Bill Clinton was all that before he voted for Obama

For your info...thepeoplesadvocate.......I donate, volunteer and have a professional career with a higher education background than most. I was not always a Tyler supporter and a democrat who became a republican supporter. I have served on boards for over 10 years.....I have no morals according to your blog??? You aint the judge Mr. The man above is and for you to suggest otherwise ...makes me think your lack of education is mighty poor. Hell.....Bill Clinton voted for OBAMA...does that make him a dumb a-- with low morals.

thepeoplesadvocate

The long and short of it; Tyler is a man of principles and will not let the 'powers that be' control him. Branch has weak constitutions and will be puppet.

Inquirer: Ms. Branch was raised in New York. As a young woman she worked for Gulf Oil in Houston, TX. Later while living in Houston, TX. she put herself through law school as a single mom. She interned at the Harris County DA's office while in law school. Later she went to work there. She then went into private practice for several years to round out her career as well as see which side she enjoyed working on the most. This experience also helped her qualify to become Board Certified in Criminal Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization. Less than 1% of District Attorneys have earned this distinction. In Victoria County former DA George Filley and Ms. Branch are the only members of this distinction. Mr. Tyler is not. While still in private practice then Victoria DA Dexter Eaves was looking for someone to handle abuse cases here (most specifically sexual abuse) and wanted a woman because children and women are usually more comfortable telling their stories to a woman. Ms. Branch was recommended to Mr. Eaves by a Harris County judge so he invited her here to come work in the Victoria County DA office for him. Same office Tyler worked in at the time. Eaves did not do a great job as DA so when he came up for re-election 4 years ago he lost in the Democratic primary to Frank Henderson. Tyler ran as a Republican and won in the general election 4 years ago. I voted for him as many others did… but never again . Mr. Tyler did not offer Ms. Branch a job but the Bee County DA did. Because Ms. Branch chooses to be on the criminal prosecution side she took the job rather than go into private practice here defending criminals like most "X" DA's do. She drives to Beeville to the DA's office daily where she is an asst. DA for Bee, Live Oak and McMullen Counties of Texas. Before January of this year I would not have known Ms. Branch if she stepped on my foot. I researched her and sought her out get to know and meet her. I now know without a doubt she is qualified and the person we need going forward in our DA's office. All of the folks on this forum on Tylers side of the fence have always been on his side. Me I used to be but am no longer. Mr. Tylers supporters want you to believe there is some mysterious mafia of good old boys that run this town and all political offices. There may be a few that think they do… but they do not. I can tell you there are some wonderful folks that donate to every good cause they can in this community from all the high school booster clubs to various other civic and non-profit organizations. They also serve on numerous boards and volunteer organizations and know Ms. Branch through these type associations. It is shameful that Mr. Tyler friends want to put them in a different light to try and scare you into voting for Mr. Tyler. But then again that is how Mr. Tyler operates so I guess we can not expect his supporters to a have much better moral character than Mr. Tyler has.

SpeakUp1968

You are making it appear as though you are on the inside, maybe with the VPD or with the DA's office. Be careful.

Regardless of numbers or statistics, Branch is a puppet, and pushed to run this race by the 'powers that be'. We all know it; at least those of us who have a brain.

Victoria has been duped a number of times.
You sure got that right!

Reason: because the 'powers that be' obviously do less due diligence and background checks than a lot of small businesses.
? Is it because they don't know how, are too lazy, or owe someone a favor.

GRANDPA

Personality doesn't have anything to do with competence. Branch is incapable of handling such a magnanimous position. Tyler is the only on who has the fortitude, experience, and prudence for the job. Branch is a puppet to be bought and sold by the powers that be, and we all know it. Tyler stands on principles, and is not a sell-out.

I pray Tyler, Ives, and Ocker tear them up at the polls.

After reading several postings...I have to laugh! OK...first of all some posts sound High school style! Steve Tyler has a new BFF! Really??? Come on!! Most people running for office who get contributions are Friends..Right??? And if Steve is BF with James Wayne...who gives a crap! By the way, check your records...Mrs. Branch has several high rolling outlaw supporters!!Check the FACTS before you report!!!

I just wanted to thank SpeakUp1968, because of his many posts I went and checked Mr Tyler's and Ms Branches records. After reviewing the facts, I am voting for Mr Tyler. Before reading much of what SpeakUp1968 has written I was thinking of voting for Ms Branch. But he convinced me to educate myself. Thank you, for helping me decide to vote for Tyler.

Here's another good summary of Deborah's background and qualifications.

http://www.facebook.com/note.php?note...

Here's a good article about Deborah Branch.

http://www.mysoutex.com/view/full_sto...

Beep,

I'm not anti-Branch...I just wish I had more information. I know the answers to these questions about Tyler--he's provided it in his campaign materials; as anyone running for public office should.

It's amusing (...and a little disturbing?) that making these basic inquiries draws the ire of some of you. This is information we all should want to know as informed voters. What's the big deal?

Inquirer, I wish you would devote as much time inquiring about Tyler's past as you do Branch's. I think you would then be occupied in a worthwhile endeavor.

It's my hope that the Advocate would follow-up on my questions and report back that Mrs. Branch was as respected and involved in her previous hometowns as she has been since arriving in Victoria. She's nearly 60 years old, but all we ever hear about are the last fourteen years. Why the reluctance to tell us anything about her past?

You only have to spend a few moments with Deborah Branch to realize she is a person of outstanding character and integrity. I am happy that she chose Victoria as her home and wants to go to work for Victoria. Her personality attracts people to work together for the common good, not disrespecting and alienating them.

Inquirer,

I agree that we all need to know more and I applaude you for asking the VICAD to dig a little deeper and ask more questions of our candidates. We can never have to much info.

What i don't understand is why you are so insistant on knowing her birth name. Does it matter? We are each our own person. By birth name I am guessing you mean maiden name. it could be Deborah Kennedy or Deborah Hussein it does not matter. We are each judged by our own actions and not those of our family immediate or distant.

I think Shakespeare said it best with "What's in a name? That which we call a rose by any other name would smell as sweet."

Tyler's first terms gives me more than enough information about his track record to eagerly vote for Branch no matter where she was born and where she grew up!

All of your points are well taken, but it doesn't change the fact that we need to know more. This community has a history of being duped by people who were not who they seemd to be (college professors, high school principals, etc...). I don't mean to insinuate that Mrs. Branch has anything to hide. In that case, the Advocate shouldn't have any problem asking her who she is (birth name), where she is from, where she grew up, etc... Seems like a simple request to me.

Excellent comments SpeakUp1968. Whenever you see Tyler's political signs, think "A Persecutor, not a Prosecutor."

Well, at least she's not supported by James Wayne, Tyler's new BFF. Victorians, it's time for us to elect a new District Attorney who will restore honesty, honor and integrity to the office. Victoria can't afford another four years under an out of control D.A. Keep in mind that Tyler lied about the $34,000.00 he paid to his Corpus Christi lawyer Ruth Kolman for doing nothing! What else has he lied about? And, let's hear a little more about Tyler's background Inquirer. Why did he leave his former boss Dexter Eaves' office? Was he forced out? If he was, why? That's a question all of us need the answer to. Tyler has been a disgrace to the City of Victoria. He has made a mockery of the justice system from the very beginning of his first term in office when he employed the pedophile Ratcliff and made him his chief of staff. Don't let it continue.

Finally, a well qualified candidate who doesn't an outrageous ego. Tyler REFUSED to accept cases for months because VPD wouldn't (on advise of several qualified attorneys) sign affidavits because it supposedly gave Tyler a loophole to toss more police officers (who are also fathers and mothers) in jail. While he was walking around thumping his chest, the entire legal system broke down. Be strong Ms. Branch because his last four years show what he is willing to do to get his way... lie and abuse the power of his office. Our Victoria future looks much brighter with you at the helm of the our county prosecution team!

I'm inclined to support Mrs. Branch, but I feel I'm missing some important pieces to the puzzle. I've never heard her mention where she was born and grew up, what her given name is, what she was actually doing for the three decades she generally sums up with "34 years of military service".

Come on Advocate...fill in the blanks for us. We want to know what we're in for when we push that button this time. Who is Deborah Branch???