Dallas

Craig Watkins Chooses Not to Run for District Attorney

Former district attorney Craig Watkins tells NBC 5 he will not run for his former position.

He served as Dallas District attorney from 2006 to 2014.

Earlier this fall, Watkins said he was considering a run, but the day before the filing deadline, Watkins says he has decided against it.

"Dallas has been great to me," Watkins told Gromer Jeffers with The Dallas Morning News on Sunday. "It's time to focus on my family."

Watkins, a Democrat, said he would make an endorsement in the race on Monday. He lost re-election in 2014 to Republican Susan Hawk. Hawk resigned following extended absences for mental health care. Governor Greg Abbott appointed current district attorney Faith Johnson to serve as district attorney.

Two former district judges, John Creuzot and Elizabeth Frizell, are likely to face off for the Democratic Primary in 2018. The winner of that race would face incumbent district attorney Johnson. 

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