Mayor Leeser will not seek reelection

El Paso Mayor Oscar Leeser announced he will not seek reelection during Thursday’s budget meeting.

The mayor said his decision is not related to health issues. He recently returned to work after taking time off for health reasons. Leeser merely said he never intended to be a “career politician.”

“I ran to do things I thought were really important for our community and I did that,” Leeser said, “I got elected to represent the people and that’s what I was able to do and I’m very humbled and honored I got that opportunity. “

The mayor maintains he will veto any budget proposal that calls for a tax increase. He said his decision not to seek reelection will make it clear his stance on the budget is not being fueled by political ambitions.

“That wasn’t the case. It was because that was the right thing to do and I made a decision prior to budget discussions that I was not going to seek reelection to the office of the mayor,” Leeser said.

Northeast City Rep. Carl Robinson said he was surprised by Leeser’s announcement. “I had thought all along, anticipated that he would run for reelection, but his decision is a personal decisio,” Robinson said.

Eastside City Rep. Michel Noe told ABC-7 Leeser has worked extremely hard and has done an outstanding job. “The results he has gotten with the council that he has had to work with have been above and beyond in my opinion,” Noe said.