Your Vote Does Matter…
Don’t ever believe that your vote in any election doesn’t matter. Whether your vote was cast for a candidate who won by an almost THREE-TO-ONE ratio or for a candidate who won by 42 votes or for a candidate who was elected by a margin of just 22 votes, your vote is important! It always counts.
The El Paso Municipal Police Officers’ Association and the Coalition of Public Safety (C.O.P.S.) went three-for-three with its endorsed candidates in the City Runoff Election…that’s 100%....and we have you and your families to thank for heeding our call to go out and support our endorsed candidates with your vote.
Congratulations to Mayor-Elect Oscar Leeser who received a resounding 74.3% of all votes cast in the mayoral runoff race. He almost pulled it off in the May General Election, coming up just short of the required 50%-plus-1 majority. Shortly after early voting numbers were announced on Saturday evening, it was pretty clear that Mr. Leeser had an insurmountable lead, so much so that his opponent conceded the race early on. Clearly, El Pasoans believe that when they cast their vote they are voting for whom or for what they want and DO NOT appreciate having their vote overturned and negated by someone else under the guise that “they know what it best for us!” Let that be a lesson to other like-minded politicians. Don’t be patronizing and arrogant. Respect the voters, listen to the people and don’t discard our vote.
The runoff elections for the three City Representative seats were much closer than the Mayor’s though. Congratulations to our longtime friend, incumbent District 4 City Representative Carl Robinson. He was given a run for his money, but after the results were announced, his constituents re-elected him to another term. The race was probably closer than Mr. Robinson would have liked, but he will continue serving the northeast. Mr. Robinson defeated his opponent by a mere 22 votes (again, your vote does matter)!
Over in District 7, our best regards go out to Mrs. Lily Limon, a long-time educator who is very involved in her community, but fairly new to city politics. Ask her if your vote mattered. Mrs. Limon defeated her opponent, a former appointed County Commissioner, by garnering 50.3% of the votes from the Eastridge/Mid-Valley area that she will soon represent. If you’re wondering, she received 42 more votes than the other candidate. Mrs. Limon was heard to say, "It's a new day for City Council and it's a new day for El Paso."
The Coalition of Public Safety decided not to endorse a candidate in the runoff election for the City Representative seat in District 2. C.O.P.S. had endorsed a candidate in the general election in May, but unfortunately he came up a little short and didn’t make it into the runoff. Initially there were nine candidates vying for that spot! Mr. Larry Romero was elected to represent District 2 and our best wishes go out to him.
By the way, another of our endorsed candidates was re-elected to office back in May; Ms. Emma Acosta, incumbent City Representative for District 3, was unopposed in the general election and will continue in that position for another term. Congratulations!
Once again the EPMPOA thanks you, your family members, friends, and everyone else who took the time to go out and cast their vote in the May General Election, during the early voting period, and on Election Day for the runoff elections. Saturday’s election is proof that when we, as one big blue family, are on the same page, we can make things happen. Your vote matters!
Update: Mr. Samuel Morgan, candidate for City Representative - District 4, requested a re-count after the election results of the race between him and incumbent Carl Robinson showed a difference of only 22 votes. The recount took place on Friday, June 21, 2013, with representatives from both camps present. After the re-count was complete, Mr. Robinson actually gained a few more votes, and will continue serving the residents of the northeast for another term. With the original votes total so close, Mr. Morgan had no choice but to ask for the recount, which cost him approximately $2100.
