San Antonio – Embattled District 10 San Antonio City Councilman Clayton Perry said Thursday he will not run for a fourth and final term in office.
A day before the filing deadline for the May 6 election, a spokeswoman for Perry’s office passed out a statement from the councilman saying he will not be running.
“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.
“Rest assured, this is not the end of my public service, and I will continue to advocate for issues that are important to District 10, only in a different way.”
Perry did not expand on what that “different way” would be.
Perry’s future plans have been the source of much speculation since he returned from a leave of absence on Jan. 12. He faces a misdemeanor DWI and failure to stop and give information charges for an alleged Nov. 6 hit-and-run.
Three people had already filed for the position by Thursday morning: retired engineer Joel Solis, social advertising professional Madison Gutierrez, and property manager Margaret Sherwood.
Business attorney Marc Whyte arrived at City Hall to file on Thursday morning.
The northside councilman has been accused of downing 14 drinks in four hours before getting into his Jeep Wrangler Rubicon and slamming into a Honda Civic while trying to turn from Jones Maltsberger Road onto Redland Road. Police say Perry fled the scene, and an SAPD officer found him lying in his back yard a little over an hour later, bleeding from the head and smelling of alcohol.
Multiple former District 10 council members confirmed they had urged Perry not to run. His predecessor and temporary replacement on the dais, Mike Gallagher, has said he believes Perry’s legal issues and the video of the incident would be a distraction.
Perry’s full statement is below:
After a tremendous amount of thoughtful prayer and reflection, as well as conversations with friends and family, I have made the difficult decision that I will not be running for re-election at this time. 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. Rest assured, this is not the end of my public service, and I will continue to advocate for issues that are important to District 10, only in a different way.
Serving this community has been one of the greatest joys of my life. I have truly loved this opportunity and have dedicated my heart, soul, time, and energy into being the best representative of a district that has high expectations of their representatives. It has been my distinct honor and privilege to work with not only the neighbors of District 10, but also my colleagues on Council and City Staff. Collectively, we have accomplished great things.
Specifically, to the hardworking folks that comprise District 10, it humbles me to have earned your vote for three terms. We've been a great team and brought some much-needed common sense, pragmatism, and fiscal responsibility to the San Antonio City Council. With your support, we lowered our property tax rate; initiated our first ever homestead exemption; increased the police presence on our streets; expanded our parks and trails; improved drainage; and completed a large number of critically needed street repairs.
I am overwhelmed with pride for the incredible District 10 staff that I have been blessed to work with over the past six years. Their reputation in personalized customer service and increased outreach has greatly assisted so many of our neighbors, and I am forever grateful for each of them, past and present.
They say it “takes a village,” but in this case, it’s taken a “District.” Thank you, from the bottom of my heart, to everyone who reached out with words of encouragement, thoughts, and prayers over the years. I am truly awed. I will always be devoted to the neighbors of District 10 and San Antonio and look forward to the opportunity to serve the community once again in the near future.
Thank y’all and Gig’em
Clayton H Perry, Councilman, District 10