Quittencourt

» Chron: Harris County Tax Assessor-Collector to step down (Matt Schwartz)

And just like that: Bettencourt. Out.

Burka theorizes that the pressure of the current investigation into Bettencourt's inability to put legitimate voters on the rolls might have some unpleasantness what with a Democratic justice department about to take over up in DC.

The hateHouston folks are threatening their potential, future displeasure with Bettencourt (Oh my!). Of course, said displeasure is highly conditional and only if Bettencourt's plans to resign can be proven beyond the shadow of their partisan doubt to have existed more than a month ago. Maybe.

Kuff cuts to the topic of replacements and the Diane Trautman boomlet has begun. Granted, I share the bias with Kuff and Annie's List here, but here's my suggestion to Commissioner's Court:

The way Harris County is trending politically, you can surely have enough votes to put another Republican official into office. Elections have consequences and the GOP votes on the court are at a 3 to 2 majority. However, if you were to name a Democratic official - and I think Diane Trautman would be a fine choice - you can at least have a voice in shaping the longer-term future of county administration. Otherwise, your choice would be out in less than 2 years.

If it helps any, I'd remind the County Judge that he's up in two years as well in a county trending blue. Demonstrating a little bipartisan cred might not be a bad idea for him if he wants to maintain the goodwill of those swing voters that voted for him along with Barack Obama and Adrian Garcia.

It might also help a certain hyperpartisan Republican representing a westside district who just saw Democrats edging well into the 40s this past election. Wanna bet what happens there if Obama competes directly in Texas next time around and you're on the same ballot? Or would you want to consider offsetting some of your decades of partisan hackery by naming a moderate Democrat to a countywide post? Remember ... the option might not be much better for you in two years and your say in the matter then would be nonexistant at such time.