El Paso county officials like to bash the government, particularly the state and feds, but when it comes to parting with their $87,300 government jobs, they’re loathe to leave them. Several officials, whose 8-year terms will conclude at the end of 2010, have already made it clear that they’ll be running other offices.
Jim Bensberg, chairman of the El Paso County Board of Commissioners, told the Cheyenne Mountain Republican Club recently that he’s going to run for county treasurer.
Bensberg said it would be “premature” to discuss his candidacy. “I haven’t completed the paperwork and it doesn’t seem ripe for public comment.”
Sandra Damron, the current county treasurer, is running for county clerk. “I’ve been doing this job for the past seven years. I know how to be the executive of a county office and I want to take that knowledge and transfer it to the clerk’s office.”
As for Bob Balink, who is the current clerk, it’s not clear if, or what, he’ll be be running for. In an email, he said he’s still considering his option. “I have been considering how I might be able to continue to serve in some capacity within our community when my term expires in January 2011. But to date I have not made any final decisions nor have I elicited support for any particular office, should I consider that as an option.”
It’s also rumored that Mayor Lionel Rivera is considering a run for one of the county commission seats. ”I haven’t ruled it out,” he said.
Reader Comments
Comments are encouraged, but you must follow our User Agreement.