Pat Lykos Narrowly Elected DA in Harris County

"Lykos wins Harris DA as Bradford's early lead vanishes," is the Houston Chronicle report by Brian Rogers and Roma Khanna.

After a roller coaster night of watching and waiting, Republican Pat Lykos appeared to edge out Democrat C.O. "Brad" Bradford by a few thousand votes for the job as Harris County's next top prosecutor with nearly all precincts reported late Tuesday.

Bradford was vying to be the county's first black district attorney and first Democrat to hold the office in 29 years.

Lykos would be the county's first female district attorney, succeeding Republicans Chuck Rosenthal and Johnny Holmes.

Bradford began the evening with a modest lead after early voting totals came in but then watched his lead dwindle as the night wore on.

Lykos declared herself the winner just before midnight.

Sue Davis, a spokeswoman for his campaign, said Bradford would not concede the race until all of the votes were counted. Several thousand mail-in ballots had not been tallied just after midnight.

"Until the last vote is in and counted, I don't think we'll know which way this thing is going to go," the former Houston police chief said at his election party at the Colombe d'Or in Montrose.

The last Democrat to hold the office was Carol Vance from 1966 to 1979.

The night began with about 75 of Lykos' supporters quietly watching the returns come in at her Montrose election night party at Byzantio, a Greek restaurant.

Lykos' enthusiasm built as late results came in and her supporters became resolute that their candidate was closing in on victory.

The former state district judge forecast a close race early in the evening, despite the fact that she was slightly behind.

"I feel good that my race is closer than some others in the county," Lykos said. "It is obvious people want to have accountability in that office that only I can bring."

And:

Bradford ran unopposed during the Democratic primary.

Lykos bested prosecutor Kelly Siegler in an April runoff election after Jim Leitner and Doug Perry were eliminated in the March primary.

The Republican primary opened up after incumbent former district attorney Chuck Rosenthal withdrew from the race amid allegations that Rosenthal had used his county computer to send racist and sexist e-mails.

Rosenthal later resigned from office citing judgment problems because of prescription drugs. Federal prosecutor Ken Magidson was appointed by Gov. Rick Perry to serve the remainder of Rosenthal's term through this year.