Kim Ogg, the District Attorney for Harris County, has officially submitted her candidacy for a third term in the upcoming election. On Wednesday, she filed the necessary paperwork to appear on the Democratic Party ballot.

A native of Houston, Ogg boasts a comprehensive legal background that began with her role as a Harris County Assistant District Attorney. Progressing in her career, she assumed pivotal positions such as the inaugural director of Houston’s Anti-Gang Task Force and later served as the executive director at Crime Stoppers of Houston. In a landmark victory in 2016, Ogg defeated Republican incumbent Devon Anderson, making history as Harris County’s first Democratic District Attorney since 1980. Her subsequent reelection in 2020 resonated with strong support, securing over 120,000 votes.

Throughout her term, Ogg has been steadfast in prioritizing the prosecution of violent criminals. A significant milestone was reached in 2022 with the establishment of a Homicide Division to address a substantial backlog of over 1,800 pending Capital Murder and Murder cases. Advocating for legislative changes, Ogg successfully influenced the Texas Legislature in 2023 to amend state law, ensuring a prioritized focus on such cases during trial proceedings.

A press release underscored Ogg's recognition of her diligent prosecutors and support staff, who went above and beyond with overtime efforts on nights and weekends, contributing to the successful convictions. Notably, Ogg has played a crucial role in the exoneration of seven wrongly-convicted individuals, making them eligible for legal relief and, in certain cases, compensation from the State of Texas.

Ogg's proactive initiatives extend to diverting non-violent offenders away from incarceration, instead facilitating their reintegration into the workforce. This strategic approach has led to a significant reduction in the Harris County jail population of non-violent misdemeanor offenders, now standing at less than 3% of its original 10,000-plus count. Ogg supports non-cash bonds for this population while staunchly opposing the release of repeat violent offenders on bail. The release emphasized Ogg's personal connection to her mother's 1962 kidnapping by a serial rapist, citing this experience as a driving force behind her commitment to a victim-centric approach to prosecution.

Looking ahead, the Democratic Primary election is slated for Tuesday, March 5, 2024.