Sparks flew in the first showdown between Fort Bend County District Attorney John Healey and his two Republican opponents in a forum sponsored by the Katy Area Republicans.

Experience in prosecution, budgetary management ability, training of staff and controversies surrounding cases involving Fulshear Mayor Jamie Roberts and Holden Roofing came to the fore of the two-hour debate Tuesday night at the Cinco Ranch Public Library.

The candidates are vying for the Republican nomination in the March 2 primary for the DA seat.

I was on a two-journalist panel putting out questions to the candidates with about 80 attendees in the audience, who got chances toward the end of the debate to ask questions by note cards.

The debaters also were allotted time to fire questions to each other.

Throughout the debate, the incumbent and his opponents thrust jabs at each other while touting their qualifications as to what make them the best suited for the job.

I will soon be writing in details what they had to say.

If you missed the debate, there is a second one coming up.

The West Fort Bend County Republican Women’s Club is presenting a forum highlighting the contest for DA and the race for judgeship of County Court at Law No. 2. In the latter, Judge Walter McMeans is retiring, and his seat is eyed by his son Jeff McMeans and fellow Republican Rick Forlano.

That forum is set for Feb. 11 at 6 p.m. at the Swinging Door Restaurant, 3814 FM 359 Richmond.

For details, call Janice Gillen at 281-342-6969 or Susan Cannata at 713-727-7983.