He was the Democratic candidate for the 10th Congressional District of Texas in 2008, unsuccessfully challenging incumbent Republican Michael McCaul.
Instead, Doherty was known for focusing on the root causes of the personal conflicts and emphasizing the importance of litigants to accept responsibility for their actions.
"[2] A 2009 commentary on Texas Justice states, "Judge Larry Joe's appeal lay in his accent, his double entendres, his ear for the rhythm of people's speech, his ability to rhyme on a dime, and the way he gently poked fun at the litigants.
"[3] On April 4, 2007, Doherty announced his candidacy for the United States House of Representatives for the Tenth Congressional District of Texas, the seat currently held by Republican Michael McCaul.
Doherty entered the race after McCaul's relatively low 2006 win percentage against Democratic opponent Ted Ankrum.
[4] The district had been designed to be safe for Republicans, but the Austin Chronicle noted: Now, here we are five years down the road from Tom DeLay's infamous re-redistricting of Texas.
[5]Doherty's challenge generated intense interest among Texas and national political observers, as a seat previously thought to be "safe Republican" looked increasingly competitive.
One mail piece highlighted McCaul's vote to change House ethics rules in a way that would have allegedly benefited DeLay.
According to the Houston Chronicle, "McCaul, an Austin Republican representing the district that includes a chunk of northwest Harris County, steadfastly refuses to debate his Democratic opponent, a colorful lawyer who once served as judge on the TV series Texas Justice.
[1] Doherty's strong fundraising efforts and closing polling numbers elevated the race's national profile.
[15] Doherty's statement produced a stern response from various veterans, Vets for Freedom, and Gold Star parents that felt his quote was akin to calling troops "baby killers" during the Vietnam War.
"[17] And one entertainment reviewer directly refuted McCaul's attack: But, the criticism of a political opponent that he mocked African-Americans on the show was entirely undeserved.
[19] Doherty would be named by the Austin Chronicle as the "biggest loser" for the fact that he received more votes than nine other candidates that won their congressional elections.
On August 10, 2009, Doherty publicly endorsed Jack McDonald's Democratic candidacy for McCaul's congressional seat.
Doherty maintains the "Long Star Ranch," near Brenham, Texas, as a 270-acre (1.1 km2) wildlife habitat and native grass restoration project.