In a surprising turn of events, Glen Eisen, who was appointed as Jeff Davis County Attorney in March 2023, is now actively seeking election despite not participating in the primaries. He has filed as a write-in candidate, positioning himself as the only qualified individual for the role. This means that as long as he receives at least one vote, he will secure the position—a prospect that raises significant concerns among the Big Bend Times.
Alpine lawyer Rod Ponton recently informed us about Eisen’s write-in candidacy, revealing that he will be the only candidate on the ballot. However, this development comes at a time when our publication has expressed concerns about the damaging effects of Eisen’s admitted lack of experience and the costly mistakes that have plagued his tenure.
In an opinion piece published on October 4, 2024, Big Bend Times outlined several of Eisen’s missteps. Despite his background as a tax attorney, Eisen’s unfamiliarity with governmental legal matters has led to serious issues for the county. Notably, his decision to engage external law firms to prevent the release of public records resulted in a staggering expenditure of over $14,000—nearly triple his monthly salary. This decision not only highlights Eisen’s inexperience with public records laws but also raises questions about his judgment in managing the county’s legal affairs.
Adding to the growing list of concerns, Eisen’s office has faced allegations of breaches of confidentiality. Assistant Lisa Dennison reportedly accessed and disclosed confidential information, confronting our publisher in a public setting and claiming her knowledge came from her role in the county attorney’s office. This incident prompted him to file a criminal complaint against Dennison for violations of the Texas Government Code, which prohibits unauthorized disclosure of confidential information.
Despite the severity of these incidents, Eisen’s response has been lackluster. While he acknowledged the breach and issued an apology, he failed to provide any concrete steps to rectify the situation and prevent future occurrences. This lack of proactive measures reflects a troubling gap in his understanding of the responsibilities inherent in the county attorney role.
Moreover, Eisen’s management of conflicts of interest has further complicated matters. Our public records dispute is linked to a broader civil claim against Jeff Davis County, initiated well before a retaliatory traffic citation was issued against our publisher by a deputy. Given the ongoing claims against the county, Eisen should have recused himself from serving as prosecutor in this case, yet he has chosen not to do so, raising ethical concerns about his decision-making.
The lack of qualified candidates for the county attorney position has left Jeff Davis County in a precarious position. With no other candidates running for the role and Eisen actively seeking re-election, the county faces uncertainty about its legal leadership come January. This situation underscores the critical need for a candidate with both legal expertise and a thorough understanding of public law to navigate the complexities of the position effectively.
As Glen Eisen’s write-in candidacy progresses, the community watches closely, hoping for a resolution that ensures competent legal oversight for Jeff Davis County. The county cannot afford to repeat the costly mistakes of the past, and residents deserve a county attorney capable of upholding ethical standards and protecting their interests.
