Wiles Is Tops In Approval Ratings, Survey Results Show

EL PASO, Texas — Recently KVIA asked 224 El Paso residents what they thought about our local elected officials.

Taking a look at the results of the scientific survey, which was taken Jan. 16-27 by e-Rewards Market Research, you can see see County Judge Anthony Cobos is the least popular with just a 16 percent approval rating and a 33 percent disapproval rating.

Next is Congressman Silvestre Reyes with a 47 percent approval rating. Fifty percent of the people asked approve of the job Mayor Cook has done.

Finally, there is newly elected Sheriff Richard Wiles, who according to the poll, is the most popular elected official with a 55 percent approval rating.

“This is not the type of job that’s Monday through Friday, from 9 to 5…This job is 24 hours a day, 7 days a week,” Wiles said.

But the man elected as sheriff this past November says he enjoys the work. “You answer directly to the voters, the public that you serve. The opportunity to be engaged in the community keeps me very busy.”

Wiles wants to build on the strong base that former Sheriff Leo Samaniego left behind.

“My biggest plan is to help this organization grow. I honestly believe, from what I’ve seen, that we are short-staffed both in the jails and in the streets. We need to grow as the community grows.”

Wiles said the support he has gotten from the community “just makes me want to work harder to show my appreciation.”