Experienced Public Servant
In January 1981, Vince became an Assistant Harris County Attorney for the newly elected County Attorney, Mike Driscoll. As the Chief of the Commissioner’s Court Division, he was responsible for attending Commissioners Court meetings, and became the direct liaison with key elected and appointed county officials. In 1983, Mike appointed Vince his First Assistant in charge of all aspects of the office.
In 1987, Vince, with the support and help of many grassroots activists, scored a tremendous upset over the sitting Houston Independent School Board president to win a seat on the Houston City Council for District C. He was reelected to two more terms. When term limits were enacted, Vince was the only council member who did not attempt to remain on the ballot via a petition process, voluntarily leaving council after six years.
Because of his military service during Operation Just Cause, subsequent trade missions to Panama and his campaign efforts on behalf of our region, Vince was appointed by the President, and later unanimously confirmed by the U.S. Senate, to serve on the Board of the Panama Canal Commission. This bi-national board oversaw the Canal and its historic transition to Panama on December 31, 1999.
Vince was elected to a four-year term as Harris County Attorney, the civil lawyer for the County, on November 4, 2008 and took his oath of office on January 1, 2009. His office handles the legal affairs for virtually every aspect of county government and represents the interests of its over 4 million residents.
As County Attorney, Vince has:
- Appointed an Inspector General
- Formed a Special Prosecution Unit to shut down properties that shelter criminal activities
- Created a separate environmental division
- Reorganized the County Attorney’s Office to make it more efficient
- Conducted ethics training for the staff
- Improved internal communication and morale
- Worked with other County Officials such as the District Attorney to find solutions to the legal issues facing the county.
