Who's the most powerful Democrat in Texas?

Democrats don't hold a single statewide office in Texas, and both houses of the state Legislature are in Republican hands. But there is one newly elected Democrat who is about to inherit some real power, and her name is Rosemary Lehmberg.

Never heard of her?

You're not alone, but chances are you will be hearing her name before long. She just won a runoff to become the next district attorney of Travis County, a post held since 1977 by Birdville native Ronnie Earle. He's perhaps best known as the guy who's been prosecuting Republican ex-Majority Leader Tom DeLay, a.k.a, "The Hammer,'' who is still tangling with Earle in court. It's probably the most powerful, fear-producing job held by a Texas Democrat, because the Travis DA is tasked with prosecuting official corruption in the state capital.

Lehmberg defeated fellow Democrat Mindy Montford in Tuesday's runoff. There's no Republican on the ballot, so she's all but elected. Contributing to Montford's defeat were numerous reports about contributions she got from lobbyists and Republicans. Just goes to show you that any hint of Republican ties in Travis County, a liberal enclave in an otherwise red state, is not helpful.

-- Jay Root