Gordon Quan may challenge Ed Emmett for County Judge

Former City Council Member Gordon Quan is THISCLOSE to throwing his hat in the ring for Harris County
Judge.  I heard the rumors a few days ago, but confirmed with Quan this morning.

 

Quan, who served as an At Large Council Member, is a prominent immigration attorney in Houston.  His firm recently merged with Charles Foster, another prominent local firm.  At the time of the merging, Quan's name was thrown around for a possible run for Mayor.  However, the timing of his private practice did not mesh well with his public aspirations.

 

A year later, Quan's law firm is up and running, and he's looking at his political opportunities again.  Though the job of City Council is officially non-partisan, Quan will be running on the Democratic ticket.  He is fairly active in Democratic circles, and was a decent fund raiser in Houston for the Democratic Presidential candidates. 

 

When we spoke earlier today, I asked him what prompted him to consider challenging Ed Emmett.  He replied, "Well, I'm thinking it's now, or never."  However, Quan was quick to point out that this is not a "done deal." He's getting legal opinions on what relationship he can maintain with his firm.  He's also looking at the quality of campaign consultants that would be available.  In addition, he's got to convince his family members, who are often tough cookies.

 

Quan says he will make a decision in the next two weeks on whether or not to jump in the race.  If he does, he says he will make a call to Judge Ed Emmett first, as it is the proper thing to do.  Quan estimates he'll need at least a million bucks to run for County Judge.  Considering his vast connections within the legal, political, and Asian-American communities, it should be a reasonable goal.  In addition, the fact that Mayor Bill White is expected to jump into the Governor's race only makes more sense for Quan.  He thinks it will be a well coordinated campaign county wide.

Comments

[Mike]

He was AT BEST an extremely lackluster city councilman, he will be funded heavily by the pro-illegal immigration folks, and his reason for running is that "it's now or never." Sounds like another politician only interested in his career, rather than in what he can do for me or my neighbors. Please don't run, Mr. Quan.

[Go Quan Go]

Gordon Quan was a great city councilman and was also Mayor Pro Term from 2002-2004. Despite having great personal and professional success, he has continued to serve the Asian community which is often over looked and disenfranchised. If only we could have more public servants like Mr. Quan