Clayton Perry, the embattled San Antonio District 10 City Council member being investigated for drunken driving, announced early Feb. 16 that he will not seek a fourth and final term in office.
Perry posted a formal statement about his political future to his official social media channels around the same time of the regularly scheduled council meeting.
Perry has been under public scrutiny since early November, when he was accused of causing a vehicular hit-and-run and was found lying down on the ground outside of his home after the alleged incident. A follow-up police affidavit claimed Perry had multiple drinks at a northeast side bar prior to the alleged hit-and-run.
Facing a no-confidence vote by the council and calls for his resignation, Perry took a temporary leave of absence that lasted through the holidays, a period marked by former Council Member Mike Gallagher being appointed Perry’s interim council replacement.
Perry returned to his full-time council duties in early January, but he had since been silent on whether he would file for re-election. Feb. 17 is the state deadline for any eligible residents wishing to file for a ballot spot ahead of the May 6 municipal elections.
In his Feb. 16 statement, Perry said he prayed and consulted with family and friends before deciding to not pursue another two-year term as District 10’s elected representative.
“I feel the time has come for me to step aside and continue to ensure my neighbors are the priority. Anything less could be a distraction from the work that still needs to be done to move District 10 forward,” Perry said, adding he will keep serving the public in different ways.
In his statement, Perry thanked his council colleagues and staff, supporters and other community members, adding many things were accomplished during his last six years in public office.
“With your support, we lowered our property tax rate, initiated our first-ever homestead [property tax] exemption, increased police presence on our streets, expanded our parks and trails, improved drainage, and completed a large number of critically needed street repairs,” Perry said.
As of noon Feb. 16, the city clerk’s office had officially published online applications from three District 10 council hopefuls: retiree Joel Solis; property manager Margaret Sherwood; and Madison Gutierrez, who lists social advertising as her occupation.
But business attorney Marc Whyte used his social media platforms to announce his District 10 candidacy and plan to file for a ballot spot early Feb. 16.
Whyte is a District 10 appointee to the San Antonio Zoning Commission but would be required by local law to resign from that panel to run for the council.
“My campaign needs your help to reach every voter in District 10 with our message of keeping taxes low, making our neighborhoods safer, and increasing opportunities for all of our families to build a better future,” Whyte said.
