Uvalde Mayor required to step down after declaring intentions to run for Texas State Representative

by Michael Robinson | Uvalde Hesperian

Picture credit: City of Uvalde

  Uvalde Mayor Don McLaughlin’s announcement to run for Texas State Representative District 80 seat will not allow him to see his four-year term as Mayor to completion according to Mayor McLaughlin in a phone interview with the Uvalde Hesperian on Monday morning, July 24th, 2023.

  According to McLaughlin, when he announced his bid for the District 8o Texas House of Representatives seat currently occupied by Rep. Tracy O. King he didn’t realize his announcement would, by Texas Election Law, preclude him from maintaining his position as Mayor. He said that if he knew that was the case he would have waited to officially announce his bid and instead say he was considering running for State Office.

  He also said that he legally remains as Mayor of Uvalde until a new mayor is elected, and once elected, eligible to serve. 

  The transition from one major to the next would occur a couple of weeks after the special election.  A special election will be on the agenda for Tuesday night’s May 25th City Council meeting.

  McLaughlin stated it was an honor to serve the Citizens of Uvalde County.