By Karen Gleason
The 830 Times
The Republican Party nominee for the office of Val Verde County treasurer has officially withdrawn, leaving the incumbent and Democratic

Party nominee unopposed in the November General Election.
Michelle Fagan, the Republican Party nominee for the office of Val Verde County treasurer, filed her withdrawal papers about a week ago, Val Verde County Republican Party Chair Sharon Petitt confirmed in a text to The 830 Times on Thursday.
Petitt also wrote, “The Republican (Party) County Executive Committee (CEC) does not have the ability to put another candidate in her place. The Democratic (Party) nominee is unopposed.”
Fagan also confirmed the withdrawal in an email to The 830 Times in response to a request for comment.
Fagan wrote, “I decided to withdraw from the race due to a major change in my family circumstances. My husband’s work schedule has
increased significantly and now requires us to travel more often.
“I would no longer be able to dedicate 40+ hours to the job. I believe the citizens of this county deserve a person who can make a full-time commitment to the office,” Fagan added.
After winning the Republican Party nomination for the office in March, for which she ran unopposed, Fagan would have faced incumbent

and Democratic Party nominee County Treasurer Aaron D. Rodriguez in the November General Election.
Rodriguez has served as county treasurer for more than a decade.
Rodriguez was asked for a comment about Fagan’s withdrawal and emailed the following statement to The 830 Times.
Rodriguez said, “I’ve spent the last 11 years serving the people of Val Verde, and my focus remains exactly where it has always been: serving my community and every day to continue earning the trust and support of the taxpayers.”
According to the Texas Association of Counties, the county treasurer “is the chief financial custodian of local government funds.”
The association’s website further explains, “The county treasurer is the chief custodian of county finance and is charged with the safekeeping and investing of county funds. This includes the maintenance and reconciliation of all checking accounts under the care of the county treasurer and the disbursement of funds.”
The writer can be reached at delriomagnoliafan@gmail.com

