From Staff Reports
The 830 Times
A candidate in the 2022 county elections has dropped out of the race.
Jimmy McDonald, a retired firefighter who formerly worked at Laughlin Air Force Base and who was seeking the Republican Party nomination for the position of Precinct 2 county commissioner, announced in a letter to The 830 Times Publisher Joel Langton Wednesday that he was removing himself as a candidate for office and “distancing myself from the nastiness of county politics.”
McDonald confirmed his decision 24 hours later.
“Working to be fair to McDonald, we gave him about a 24-hour cooling off period and called him Thursday evening to see if he still felt the same,” Langton said, regarding the decision he announced in his letter to the publisher. “After a short conversation, I asked him if he still felt the same way. ‘I do,’ he said.”
McDonald’s departure from the race leaves just two candidates for the precinct two seat. Incumbent Juan Carlos Vazquez, who is seeking re-election, will face Rose Marie Coronado Castro, who works as a greeter at Val Verde Regional Medical Center, in the March 2022 Democratic Primary Election. The winner of that race now appears to have a clear path to the commissioners seat.
McDonald’s decision comes in the wake of comments made by Val Verde County Judge Lewis Owens Jr., during Tuesday’s Val Verde County Commissioners Court meeting. Owens was publicly responding to comments made by McDonald following a special meeting held by the county’s Republican Party committee to elect a new party chairman Dec. 17.
Owens’ comments can be read at the following link: NEWS — County judge makes public comment regarding candidate’s claim – 830Times
“Rather than get comments from the officials mentioned, and discuss various points raised in this, we are giving Mr. McDonald his say and will let this (letter) stand alone,” Langton said in reference to McDonald’s letter. “Our goal is to always provide our community fair and balanced news coverage.”
McDonald’s letter reads as follows:
“My rebuttal to Joel Langton’s news report on Jimmy R. McDonald in the newspaper known as 830 Times.
“First, let me say concerning the comments made by me in a private Republican Party meeting when I was addressed by Republican Party Chairman in a private meeting as to why my recent change in mindset to run for office. I spoke to those present in confidentiality as to my recent mind change.
“Furthermore, I said that Mr. Owens (Lewis Owens, Val Verde County Judge), Mr. Wardlaw (Martin Wardlaw, Val Verde County Commissioner, Precinct 1), and Mr. Flores (Gus Flores, Val Verde County Commissioner, Precinct 4) had all addressed me in the recent past as to the need to run to replace Mr. Vazquez as he was never available to his constituents. Many other Val Verde County constituents privately told me they were of the same mindset. This was not me asking for their public endorsement, but was during a discussion in a private Republican Party meeting which was never intended for public distribution. It was not my intention to cause said Democrat officials to publicly support a Republican candidate, which would thereby cause them strife within their own party. Neither was it my intention to get into a “He Said, He Said” situation between myself and these three gentlemen. I hold these four individuals, including Mr. Vazquez, in the highest regards.
“In the recent past I personally had a two-hour meeting with Mr. Owens at Skillets restaurant concerning this and many other topics within Val Verde County. I have spoken with Mr. Wardlaw at the food bank next to San Felipe Cemetery about the same subject, and I’ve had numerous discussions at the Cienegas food bank with Mr. Flores concerning the need to replace Mr. Vazquez. This included Mr. Flores encouraging me of the continued support of Mr. Owens and Mr. Wardlaw in my endeavors of my candidacy to replace Mr. Vazquez. So, let me be crystal clear here when I say I never intended to cause anyone any ill intent, nor to publicly embarrass anyone.
“So, when Mr. Langton from 830 Times asked me to speak on said subject which included a request for a list of names of those supporting me, I said I had no comment as I would not divulge that information.
“So, I am distancing myself from the nastiness of county politics and am removing myself as a candidate for office. You’ll never hear from me again as I’m a retired USAF firefighter of thirty-four years and mission worker of my church for 30 years. I don’t need any more of this kind of BS to ruin my Father’s McDonald name through the proverbial mud!!!”
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Contact the publisher at joelalangton@gmail.com
