Pubdate: Tue, 11 Jan 2000
Source: Houston Chronicle (TX)
Copyright: 2000 Houston Chronicle
Contact: viewpoints@chron.com
Address: Viewpoints Editor, P.O. Box 4260 Houston, Texas 77210-4260
Fax: (713) 220-3575
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Page: 24A
Author: Julie Mason, Houston Chronicle Political Writer

SUSPENDED LAW LICENSE PUTS DEMOCRAT OUT OF COUNTY RACE

The lone Democrat running for Harris County district attorney has been
disqualified, and the deadline for new candidates to join the race
extended to Friday.

Stephen Hale, who announced his candidacy last month, was declared
ineligible because his law license has been suspended, said Harris
County Democratic Party Chairwoman Sue Schechter.

"We posted it at the courthouse and filing has reopened in our party
for that office until Friday at 6 p.m.," Schechter said. The original
filing deadline was Jan. 3.

Hale on Monday vowed a legal battle to keep his name on the ballot,
but declined further comment.

The party's action clears the way for other Democrats interested in
the race to sign up. There are six Republican contenders in the race.

Hale's troubles arise from a 1997 arrest and subsequent guilty plea
for delivery of marijuana. Hale said that in August 1999, he withdrew
his plea and the indictment against him was dismissed.

According to Hale, the State Bar of Texas considered his earlier plea
a conviction, and suspended his law license until Oct. 19.

That means, according to Hale, he will be eligible to practice law in
time for the Nov. 7, 2000, election, and therefore qualified to appear
on the ballot.