SAN ANTONIO – Former Bexar County Tax Assessor-Collector Sylvia Romo has decided not to run for the Texas Senate seat that was held by Leticia Van de Putte, saying she lives just outside the district and challenging the residency requirement would be too difficult.
"It's kind of a tough announcement for me to make," Romo said, just an hour after she made the decision to drop out Monday. "The support was just overwhelming and I felt real good about it until I found out I was 300 feet away from the district."
Romo said her lawyers and even representatives at the Texas Secretary of State's office gave her the impression that challenging the residency requirement in a special election may be a winnable proposition.
But Romo decided it would be too expensive and the election date was too close.
"My biggest regret is that I'm going to disappoint my supporters because they were so excited about it," Romo said.
The special election was triggered when Van de Putte decided to run for San Antonio mayor and Gov. Rick Perry chose Jan. 6 as the date for the election.
The Democratic candidates remaining in the race include State Rep. Trey Martinez Fischer, State Rep. Jose Menendez and Converse Mayor Al Suarez. Menendez and Martinez Fischer did not respond to requests for comment.
Suarez wrote in an email Friday: "I served 20 1/2 years in the United States Air Force so that every citizen has the freedom to file for office. In this case I don't know Ms. Romo, however I am hopeful that she will make the right decision if she does not currently reside in Senate District 26. My primary focus at this point are the needs and issues facing the citizens of Senate District 26."
Romo said she does not have any endorsements in the race. She said voters should study the candidates and go vote.
As for the House members hoping to move up?
"Both of them are my friends," Romo said. "I have worked with both of them."
Now she will not be running against them.
Alma Perez Jackson is running on the Republican ticket in Senate District 26.