SAN ANTONIO – Former Bexar County Precinct 2 Constable Michelle Barrientes Vela said she is moving forward with plans to run for Bexar County Sheriff after she lost her legal battle Wednesday to keep her job.
"Today, we'll move forward together to take our voice back. We will continue strong leadership with values that will impact our county. I humbly ask for the continued support of all the constituents of Bexar County, as we move forward to seek the office of Bexar County sheriff," she told reporters.
Barrientes Vela said she wasn't surprised that a judge on Wednesday ruled against her lawsuit to retain her constable job, which paved the way for Leticia Vasquez to be sworn into office as the new constable.
"I wish her the best in her journey as the appointed constable," she said.
WATCH: Michelle Barrientes Vela news conference
Judge Martha Tanner dismissed the lawsuit filed by Barrientes Vela, who argued that she did not trigger the state's resign-to-run laws by announcing to KSAT's Deven Clarke that she would run for sheriff in 2020.
BREAKING Leticia Vasquez to be sworn in as Precinct 2 constable, after judge tosses out lawsuit filed by Michelle Barrientes Vela.
— Dillon Collier (@dilloncollier) October 9, 2019
Barrientes Vela must vacate office by tomorrow morning #KSATnews pic.twitter.com/5VcQzY5fUG
The law stipulates that elected officials who announce plans for another office with more than 13 months left in their current term forfeit their seat.
WATCH: Leticia Vasquez sworn into office as Pct. 2 Constable
Bexar County Commissioners have named Leticia Vasquez, a 25-year veteran of the Bexar County Sheriff's Office, to replace the embattled constable. She was sworn in Wednesday.
That public declaration, which Barrientes Vela repeated to other media outlets the following day, triggered the state’s resign-to-run law.
She has since described the announcement as an “excited utterance” made while the FBI and Texas Rangers raided her Northwest Side offices.
READ MORE: 10 controversies surrounding embattled Precinct 2 Constable Michelle Barrientes Vela
"Judge Martha Tanner considered the arguments of counsel and determined the court had no jurisdiction over the claims asserted by former Pct. 2 Constable Barrientes Vela and dismissed her entire lawsuit," wrote county spokesperson Monica Ramos in a statement. "In addition, the Temporary Restraining Order was dissolved and as a result of the judge’s order, the hearing for Friday is canceled. According to the Chief of the Civil Division, Larry Roberson, Commissioners Court is now free to move forward with investiture of the new Constable of Pct. 2.
Constable Barrientes Vela agreed through her legal counsel to vacate her office by 8 a.m. on Thursday, Oct. 10, 2019," Ramos wrote.
Read the full ruling here.