Texas Democratic Party official named interim county clerk
A Houston lawyer and Texas Democratic Party official will serve as interim Harris County Clerk, taking the reins two months before voters cast ballots in primary runoffs in July.
Commissioners Court on Tuesday voted 3-2 along party lines to appoint Christopher Hollins, vice chairman for the state Democratic party. He will serve until a new clerk can be elected in November.
Incumbent Diane Trautman, who was elected in 2018, announced May 9 she would step down because of health issues. Trautman’s last day is May 31; Hollins will start the following day. County Judge Lina Hidalgo and Precinct 1 Commissioner Rodney Ellis said Hollins’ pledge to serve only on an interim basis factored in their decision.
“I’m committing to him with the understanding that he will bring his skill set to running the best election we can, for the sake of our county and democratic rights of all the residents, and not focusing on advancing personal political ambitions,” Hidalgo said.
Hollins, 33, was selected after 10 p.m., more than 12 hours after Commissioners Court convened, and did not address the body. He said in a statement Wednesday morning he was grateful for the opportunity.
“My deep connection to Harris County and professional background in management consulting, government and law have prepared me to step into this role and be effective from Day One,” Hollins said.
He previously worked as a senior manager at the consulting firm McKinsey & Company and interned at Goldman Sachs and the White House Office of Presidential Personnel during the Obama administration, according to his personal website. He never has held elected office.
The primary function of the county clerk’s office is to maintain court, property and vital records, including the issuance of marriage licenses, but the clerk’s most visible job is conducting elections.
Hollins faces a difficult task. He will be in charge of running July’s primary runoff as well as November’s general election — potentially the highest turnout contest in county history — during the coronavirus pandemic.
In addition, countywide voting, Trautman’s signature accomplishment, will get its first test in a presidential election in November.