NEWS — Maverick County Judge resigns

By Joel Langton

The 830 Times

With about 120 days left in his term, Maverick County Judge Ramsey English Cantú announced his resignation at about 4 p.m. Monday on his Facebook page, bringing an early end to a tenure that has been marked in recent months by a court-ordered suspension and an ongoing effort to remove him from office.

His resignation was effective as of 5 p.m. Monday. The entire video can be viewed here.

Cantú’s resignation comes just one week before an Aug. 24 trial was scheduled to begin in the court case seeking his removal from office. His tenure was sealed May 26, when Gerardo “Jerry” Morales won the May 26 Democratic runoff, defeating Cantú 4,104 votes to 2,156 — 66% to 34%. 

The Maverick County Commissioners Court is scheduled to hold a special meeting Wednesday, Aug. 19, although it was not immediately clear whether Cantú’s resignation or the resulting vacancy will be addressed.

“After much prayer, reflection, and conversations with those closest to me, I have made one of the most difficult decisions of my life, and I’ve decided to step down as your Maverick County judge for the remaining nearly 120 days left in my term,” Cantú said.

Interestingly, the post came 18 hours after a birthday post to himself, entitled, “God, Goals, Growing and Glowing” where he mentioned buying himself a BMW. “Feeling incredibly blessed, grateful, and excited for what’s ahead!

“After celebrating my 43rd birthday and gifting myself a new car, I’m preparing for the next steps in my journey with a

heart full of gratitude. I’m extremely thankful for the many opportunities that have been offered to me and for the doors that continue to open,” he said.

In Monday’s post, the embattled judge said the decision was not made out of “anger, frustration, or defeat,” but because he believes leaving office is best for him personally and will allow him to continue advocating for Maverick County.

The resignation comes more than three months after Cantú was temporarily suspended from performing the duties of county judge.

A suspension order filed May 4 in the 293rd Judicial District Court barred Cantú from exercising the powers or duties of his office or interfering with county government operations while a removal case against him proceeded. The case accuses Cantú of official misconduct and incompetency under Chapter 87 of the Texas Local Government Code.

The removal petition was filed April 29 by Maverick County residents Rolando Salinas and Roberto De Leon. The petition sought Cantú’s suspension while the case was pending and his permanent removal following a trial.

Cantú has disputed the allegations and previously characterized the effort to remove him as politically motivated.

Rolando Jasso was appointed interim county judge following Cantú’s suspension and has been handling the duties of the office.

In Monday’s announcement, Cantú acknowledged that the legal proceedings played a role in his decision to resign, saying court orders have restricted what he can publicly discuss about county government.

“If I cannot fully speak and advocate on behalf of the people that I was elected to represent, then I have to ask myself whether I can continue serving you in the way that I believe you deserve,” Cantú said. “I have concluded that I cannot.”

Cantú said he has spent nearly 20 years in public service and emphasized that his departure from the county judge’s office does not mean he intends to stop advocating for the community.

“For me, public service has never been about a title, a desk, or having the words county judge before my name,” Cantú said.

In the final sentences of the 15 minute post, he told viewers that there might be more to come: “Maybe, the next place you see my name is at the ballot box.”