Your city government is under attack from within. I have not announced my candidacy for any public office other than the position in which I currently serve. I never resigned from office and no formal action has been taken by the City Council. There is no vacancy on the City Council. There is no reason to call a special election. And yet you are being told otherwise. Why? Dirty politics, gamesmanship, political agendas, political convenience — take your pick. I am committed to fulfill my sworn duty as city representative until the end of my term because I was elected by the voters of District 3 to do so. Their support for my leadership on City Council has not wavered. 

The same forces that set the city on this path have weaponized this situation to further their personal and political objectives. They have been provided with the truth; they know the facts. This proposed trajectory has not been reviewed by anyone with legal authority and no decision has been made regarding what you are being told. And, I expect since it has not occurred, those set on this course of action will not seek guidance, review, or endorsement from any approved legal authority. Just as the law is being ignored, those same people attempting to disenfranchise the citizens of El Paso of their elected officials have chosen to turn a blind eye to the truth and to ignore the facts because it does not fit their political script. 

The mayor has set precedence early on by forcibly removing members from boards and commissions if they are a threat or if he disagrees with their values. He did it to me, Dr. Rick Bonart, to city Rep. Peter Svarzbein, among others. He is challenging me and is trying to remove me from office, without due process, because of what I represent for the future of El Paso. Make no mistake: The mayor has divided council and he is forcing this council to capitalize his reelection campaign for mayor. A special election will cost taxpayer dollars and, worst, public trust.

The very notion that I resigned, that this situation is black and white, or that decision-makers’ hands are tied and a special election must be called is indefensible and wrong. And it is not just wrong because it is me; it is wrong for any elected official —judge, district attorney, commissioner, sheriff, state representative — that may find themselves in this situation one day. It is wrong for the citizens of District 3 and for the entire city of El Paso. At a time when this city needs strength and unity among its leadership, political actors set in motion disarray and uncertainty. 

The citizenry deserves a functional and professional government. I call upon members of the City Council to stand up against Mayor Dee Margo’s political bullying because one day you could be facing similar political retributions if you later disagree with him on a subject. If you allow this to go unchallenged, this council will set dangerous precedence that will undermine democracy, free speech, and voter participation.

City Rep. Cassandra Hernandez represents District 3 on the El Paso City Council.