Jaime Esparza Draws Opponent...Really Early

In a pretty ominous sign for long-time District Attorney Jaime Esparza, at least one challenger has already announced he will be pursing the job Esparza has held for the better part of the last two decades.

Leonard Morales announced his candidacy on social media recently. For the first time in quite a while Esparza will be taking on a viable challenger. Morales is much younger than Esparza and that isn't something Esparza has had to deal with previously.

Just a short couple years ago Esparza was said to be the heir-apparent to Congressman Reyes' job in DC. But after several high-profile cases that didn't go his way, Esparza is now going to have to fight off a major challenge in Leonard Morales.

So far, Morales is doing things right. He's starting early and if he can raise some money and implement an effective ground game then he's going to make things difficult for the District Attorney. Things will get especially interesting if an Hispanic female jumps into the race.

"I believe the people of El Paso want a District Attorney who is interested in justice...I believe its time for a new administration to breath life into the DA's office", Morales said in a social media post.

Morales indicated that Jaime Esparza has been the longest-serving District Attorney for the 34th Judicial District, an area that covers Texas' most-western counties. Morales said Esparza has been serving more than 20 years and that it was time for change, a message Esparza himself used in his bid for the office years ago.