Dallas County Commissioners Tuesday chose Chief Deputy Marian Brown, a Democratic candidate for Sheriff, as the interim leader to replace Sheriff Lupe Valdez who is resigning to run for governor.
Brown is third in command at the sheriff’s department behind Executive Chief Deputy Jesse Flores, but Valdez recommended Brown to be elevated to interim sheriff and County Commissioners agreed.
“To whom much is given, much is required. So I feel like there’s a lot of work to do, things that I will have to get involved in,” Brown said. “I’m looking forward to those challenges.”
Valdez said Brown would face fewer challenges since she is already involved with major projects in the works at the sheriff’s department.
“I want to feel comfortable that those will be done according to what we planned from the very beginning,” Valdez said. “She’s been there. So, I’m comfortable that she will continue those projects and get them done correctly.”
The sheriff supervises about 2,000 employees and 5,000 inmates at the Dallas County Jail.
Brown was not the only contender.
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Criminal Defense Attorney Pete Schulte said he interviewed for the interim position after deciding not to file as a candidate in the March Democratic primary.
Schulte is also a former prosecutor and certified peace officer.
County Commissioner Theresa Daniel said choosing an interim sheriff was a hard decision.
“The number of people who came forward expressing an interest brought so many skills and talents,” Daniel said.
Dallas County Judge Clay Jenkins, the Commissioners Court leader, said last week he would prefer an interim appointee who is not a candidate for the permanent job, but he joined a unanimous vote for the replacement Valdez recommended.
The other Democratic candidate in the March primary, Constable Roy Williams, said Commissioner gave Brown an advantage.
“How many people should have the opportunity to pick their successor? At the end of the day, it should go to the voters,” Williams said.
Williams said he has an advantage of already being elected twice before to his Precinct 4 position serving a fifth of Dallas County. And Williams claims most sheriff’s deputies support him.
“It’s election season in eight weeks and I hope Chief Brown will be ready. I will be,” Williams said.
Brown will be officially sworn in at midnight on December 31. Valdez remains as a hold over Sheriff until then. Valdez said all of that time will be needed for the transition.
