SAN ANTONIO -- Bexar County Precinct 2 Constable Michelle Barrientes Vela released a statement on Saturday saying she will not abandon her position after being called to resign amidst an FBI raid.

  • Bexar County Judge Nelson Wolff announced force resignation
  • Violated terms of Texas Constitution 
  • Claims she did not formally announce run for sheriff

Bexar County Judge Nelson Wolff briefed media Wednesday stating Vela had violated terms of the Texas Constitution after announcing she would be running for Bexar County sheriff.

Because of the announcement, she would have to resign after the position is filled. The county has been taking applications since the announcement by Wolff.

According to Vela’s statement, authorized by her attorney, Vela was shocked by the raid and claims she “made an excited utterance rather than a formal political declaration to seek the Sheriff's seat in 2020, in the heat of the moment without having time to reflect upon it.”

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Below is her full statement:

“On Monday September 24, 2019, I learned to my shock that Texas Rangers, FBI and Deputies from the Sherriff's Office were attempting to execute a search warrant at the office I was elected to serve by my Constituents. On Monday, September 24, 2019, while this was going on, I was in a frame of shock as to the raid and watching what was occurring, when I made the Sheriff statement. At this time, with what was going on in my office, I made an excited utterance rather than a formal political declaration to seek the Sheriff's seat in 2020, in the heat of the moment without having time to reflect upon it.

I did not request financial support, votes or any other kind of support for Sheriff. I did not complete a primary ballot application, submit any filing fees or filings, nor did I designate a campaign treasurer, for Sheriff.

Nor did I have plans to abandon the four-year term seat of the Constable's Office.  I will continue to humbly serve the Constituents of Precinct #2 as we more forward together.

Gratefully, Michelle Barientes Vela”