Judge Reverses Recall Restraining Order

A judge has modified the temporary restraining order he awarded Mayor John Cook on Monday and has allowed the recall process to continue, letting El Paso For Traditional Family Values submit petitions to the city clerk for verification.

Judge Javier Alvarez also eliminated the cease and desist order that prevented the group from advertising the recall and continue gathering signatures ahead of Thursday’s deadline.

“I don’t want to thwart the will of the people,” said Alvarez, judge for County Court at Law Number 3.

Mayor John Cook alleges the group trying to remove him from office used churches to reach out to voters. As non-profit corporations, the state of Texas prevents churches from making contributions to political campaigns, Cook says.

The pastor spearheading El Paso for Traditional Family Values, Tom Brown, maintains the group and the church gathered the signatures lawfully.

Stay with ABC-7 for a full report.