ATHENS —
It’s been a hectic couple of months for Bradley Hart. Hectic, but rewarding.
Last Nov-ember, the 1989 Athens High School graduate lost his bid to unseat a Democratic incumbent sitting on the 339th District Court bench. That loss — which left him slightly more than one percentage point behind when the final votes were tallied — ended two years of hard campaigning for the Republican who had worked as a prosecutor in the Harris County District Attorney’s Office since passing the bar exam in 1997.
After the loss, Hart — buoyed by a swell of encouragement — opted to throw his name in the ring for a number of judicial appointments being considered by Texas Gov. Rick Perry. On Monday, Perry’s office announced it had selected Hart to fill the unexpired term as judge of Harris County’s 230th Judicial District Court.
Funny how things work out.
“It’s been kind of hectic going from the DA’s office to the bench in two days,” said Hart, who lives in Humble. “It’s so humbling, and it’s an incredible honor.”
Though Hart has strong roots in East Texas (including a stint as an intern in the Henderson County District Attorney’s Office, where he also served as Teen Court administrator), he’s been very active in Harris County. He’s a member of the State Bar of Texas, the Houston Bar Association and the Texas District and County Attorneys Association. He’s also an administrative board member of First Methodist Houston Downtown and a volunteer for the Sam Houston Area Council Boy Scouts of America.
“He’s been outstanding all his life,” said Hart’s mother, Linda Ragland, who still lives in Athens. “Of course, this is his mom talking — but you can ask anybody.”
Hart graduated from Baylor University in 1993, and the next year, moved to Houston to begin law school at the South Texas College of Law. While there, he worked with the Houston Bar Association Juvenile Justice Mock Trial Program and was a volunteer with Child Advocates, Inc.
Hart has prosecuted thousands of cases at the Harris County DA’s Office and served in various capacities during his tenure. In April 2006, he was promoted to felony district court chief after securing a conviction for a man who shot a Houston police officer in the face.
In 2011, Hart was named Prosecutor of the Year by the Texas Narcotics Officers Association for his work related to major narcotics investigations.
After last fall’s election, Hart said he was ready to take a break until being approached by a large number of people who encouraged him to apply for an appointment to several judicial positions that were coming open.
“I thought about it and prayed about it and talked with my family and came to the conclusion that I’d kick myself if I didn’t at least try,” Hart said.
Upon being selected to interview before Perry’s appointment staff, that body informed him that it had received a flood of letters in his support. He interviewed for about an hour with Perry’s staff last month and learned of Perry’s appointment three weeks later.
“Campaigning for that long, I got to know a lot of the citizens of Harris County you typically don’t get to know,” Hart said. “Of course, I was disappointed with the (election) loss, but it paid off incredibly.”
Local News
Related Photos
-
Bradley S. Hart (right) takes an oath of office Thursday to become the judge of Harris County’s 230th Judicial District Court. Hart is seen with his children, Hunter and Savannah. Courtesy photo
Discussion
‘I solemnly swear’
Athens native sworn in as 230th district judge
- Local News
-
-
Too close to home
It was the kind of moment any parent would dread.
-
Give it to Jody!
The 50th annual Henderson County Farm and Ranch Tour concluded Tuesday with a luncheon on the floor of the Henderson County Fair Park Complex arena and the naming presentation of the Joe B. Fulgham Agriculturist of the Year.
The 25th recipient of the award was Jody Jackson of Murchison, whose farming and ranching operations started with a few cattle and some chickens then grew to one of the county’s most varied operations. -
County votes to sell old annex building
Henderson County officials on Tuesday narrowly approved contracting with an Athens realtor to list the old Courthouse Annex building for sale.
Steve Grant Real Estate was chosen to sell the property by a 3-to-2 vote. Precinct 3 Commissioner Ronny Lawrence and Precinct 4 Commissioner Ken Geeslin cast the dissenting votes. -
Burk to serve as next ACA administrator
Athens Christian Academy (Kindergarten through 6th grade) is pleased to announce Dale Burk as the new administrator beginning July 2013.
-
Bullying just got tougher
To reduce the prevalence of school age bullying the Athens Independent School District has added a new communications tool called Anonymous Alerts, allowing individuals to quickly, easily and anonymously report urgent information that they may otherwise be uncomfortable revealing.
-
Magnificent 7
The Athens Odd Fellow Lodge No. 961 and Athens Rebekah Lodge No. 23 has seven students who are receiving a $500 scholarship to Trinity Valley Community College for this year.
-
Area woman killed
A 49-year-old Mabank woman died as a result of injuries sustained when she was struck by a vehicle while walking on State Highway 198 in Payne Springs Friday night.
-
Lusk found guilty
A jury returned a guilty verdict on Tuesday against 36 year-old Danny Ray Lusk for sexual misconduct involving two children.
Henderson County District Attorney Scott McKee said the punishment phase of the trial which began May 14 was set to begin Tuesday in Judge Mark Calhoon’s 3rd District Court. -
Keep Athens Beautiful celebrates 25 years
Keep Athens Beautiful (KAB) celebrated 25 years with a banquet at Athens Country Club last Friday night. The evening was hosted by Darwin Winfield (not pictured). Peggy Rhodes (left) presented Hugh Armstrong (second from the right) the Margaret Myers Award. Carol Morton (far right) presented two people with the Hall of Fame Award — Jerry Wadell and Victory Roberts (second and third from left). Margaret Myers is also pictured with the award winners, third from right. View additional photos from the event at www.athensreview.com.
-
Art hits the streets in Mabank
The Mabank Branch of the Cedar Creek Lake Area Chamber of Commerce hosted the fifth Mabank Festival and Art Show on Market Street in downtown Mabank this past weekend. Hundreds of people and more than 75 vendors attended the event. In addition to the artwork and other items for sale, there were food vendors and entertainment for children. View additional photos at www.athensreview.com.
- More Local News Headlines
-
Jodi Arias: Death Penalty Would Cause More Pain
Looking for Love? Take the Prague Metro
Crews Race to Find Survivors of Okla. Twister
First Person: Baby Falcons on a New York Bridge
Oklahoma: Images of Devastation, Reunion
Reunited Dad, Son: 'We Just Praise God'
Slow Pokes: Acupuncture Helps Sick Turtles
Moore, Okla. City of Reunions, Tears After Storm
Former IRS Chief: Can't Say How List Happened
Gov. Fallin: Okla. Facing Horrific Disaster
Tim Cook Defends Apple's Tax Accounting
AP Photograher: 'It Was a Miracle' They Got Out
Raw: Crews Search for Survivors of Okla. Tornado
Raw: Tearful Reunion After Okla. Tornado
OKC Hospital Describes Treating Tornado Wounded
Obama Pledges Urgent Aid for Tornado Victims
Raw: Massive Funnel Clouds in Oklahoma
