COMMISSIONERS APPOINT ERIC BERG AS INTERIM JUDGE
Washington County Commissioners this (Tuesday) morning appointed Eric Berg to serve as interim judge for the County Court at Law. Current County Court at Law Judge Matthew Reue announced his retirement two weeks ago effective July 1st. Reue won a narrow victory over Berg in the 2014 election for his 6th term as County Court at Law Judge. Berg is currently the assistant district attorney and will have to give up those duties while he serves at interim judge.
County Judge John Brieden says the county looked at several options in making the appointment:
Brieden explained that they also looked at utilizing visiting judges in the interim position, but there were several court dates in July and August where the available judges were already booked.
The Washington County Republican party nominated Eric Berg earlier this month as their candidate in the November election for the County Court at Law Judge. The Chairman of the Democrat Party, George Dillingham, says they have not yet come up with a candidate, but will do so before the August 29th deadline.
County Commissioner Kirk Hanath explained that the court does not like to appoint people to elected positions, and that this has been a difficult decision:
Berg will begin his 4 and a half month term as interim judge beginning July 1st.
Let Mr. Berg’s terrible reign of terror begin! Muahahahaha! Just kidding, congrats and good luck Eric!
Berg will be an outstanding judge. His credentials speak volumes. The DA’s office will continue to prosecute and do well – they have an outstanding team of prosecutors. Hopefully the commissioners will help by way of providing additional resources to the DA’s Office to continue to do incredible work AND help them to not lose any more of their team.