Bill Richardson Quits Council Race

Bill Richardson announced over lunch that he is withdrawing his candidacy for San Angelo City Council, SMD 1. He was to face incumbent Rodney Fleming and retired local Verizon chief Trinidad Aguirre.

Richardson cited the reason was that he doesn't have the time to devote to the duties as a councilman, or to campaign.

Richardson endorsed Aguirre.

"He kind of caught me by surprise when he said that. He was very humble and announced it very professionally. I thanked him for his support. When a man does what he did and stands up there in front of a camera and says wheat he has to say, you have to respect it. He loved the political environment," Aguirre said.

Aguirre is excited now that the campaign is now a two-man race. 

Councilman Rodney Fleming agreed that a two-man race was preferrable. "Trinidad is a very good person and formidable opponent. But I'm going to outwork him," Fleming said with a wink.

Yesterday, Richardson demanded that the San Angelo City Council reprimand opponent Fleming for Fleming's campaign signage that stated that Fleming was a "Republican." Richardson claimed that the city charter forbids party affiliation.