Ed Emmett
The Astrodome Judge opens up on enemies, social media critics, a king and his future
No question, it was Hurricane Ike and his commanding role as director of the Harris County Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Management that earned Harris County Judge Ed Emmett high marks and widespread recognition among the 4.2 million constituents that live in his domain. But it will likely be — in lieu of another troublesome hurricane — the fate of the Astrodome that seals his place in Harris County history.
Last month, Harris County Commissioners Court, led by Emmett, referred the Harris County Sports & Convention Corp.'s proposal for saving the dome to the budget office. As he has frequently said, funding is the key consideration in all plans presented on the hot button issue. Despite the broad public interest, the Astrodome is just one of a multitude of issues that the Harris County Judge deals with daily including the emergency management office which remains at heightened alert throughout hurricane season.
Emmett was appointed by the court in 2007 to fill the position vacated by former Harris County Judge Robert Eckels and he has handily won his elections since then.
Born and raised primarily in East Texas, his rural youth spawned a soft-spoken charm while his intellectual voraciousness forged a wise demeanor coupled with a dry wit. Emmett is not your typical politician, even though the desire to hold public office was his impetus for earning a graduate degree at the University of Texas LBJ School of Public Affairs, after receiving his undergraduate degree at Rice University.
