SAN ANTONIO — San Antonio City Councilman Clayton Perry, who took a leave of absence from his seat after he was arrested and later charged with driving while intoxicated, said Thursday that he will not run for re-election.
“After a tremendous amount of thoughtful prayer and reflection, as well as conversations with friends and family, I have made the difficult decision that I will not be running for re-election at this time,” he said in a statement.
"Serving this community has been one of the greatest joys of my life. I have truly loved this opportunity and have dedicated my heart, soul, time, and energy into being the best representative of a district that has high expectations of their representatives."
Councilman Manny Pelaez earlier told KENS 5 that Perry had been informing council members and colleagues about his decision prior to the formal announcement.
“We talked a couple of nights ago, and [Perry] told me he wasn’t going to seek a fourth term,” business attorney Marc Whyte told reporters Thursday morning before he was about to file for his own candidacy for Perry's District 10 seat.
The deadline to file for a spot on the May 6 ballot to run for mayor or one of the 10 City Council seats is Friday, Feb. 17, at 5 p.m. At least four people have filed to run in District 10 so far.
Perry said he would continue to serve his neighbors when he leaves office.
"Rest assured, this is not the end of my public service, and I will continue to advocate for issues that are important to District 10, only in a different way," he said.
Perry was charged with DWI and failure to stop in connection with a November hit-and-run that cast a shadow over the remaining months of his current term.
Surveillance footage reportedly shows Perry drinking 14 alcoholic beverages within a four-hour period at the north-side bar Evil Olive on the evening of Nov. 6. Police say he veered into oncoming traffic after taking a turn too wide while driving home later that night, causing Perry to hit a vehicle stopped a red light before continuing to drive.
No serious injuries were reported in that crash, though a police report states the other car suffered "major damage." Perry was later issued a vote of no confidence by his council colleagues before going on leave in mid-November. He said at the time that he was not planning to resign his seat on the council.
Perry's next court appearance is scheduled for March 8.
If convicted for his DWI charge, Perry could be jailed for up to 180 days and lose his driver’s license for a year.
Officials with the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission, meanwhile, said in early January they were investigating Evil Olive. They have told KENS 5 there are no substantial findings to announce as of yet.
Here is Perry's full statement on his decision not to run for re-election:
After a tremendous amount of thoughtful prayer and reflection, as well as conversations with friends and family, I have made the difficult decision that I will not be running for re-election at this time. I feel the time has come for me to step aside and continue to ensure my neighbors are the priority. Anything less could be a distraction from the work that still needs to be done to move District 10 forward. Rest assured, this is not the end of my public service, and I will continue to advocate for issues that are important to District 10, only in a different way.
Serving this community has been one of the greatest joys of my life. I have truly loved this opportunity and have dedicated my heart, soul, time, and energy into being the best representative of a district that has high expectations of their representatives. It has been my distinct honor and privilege to work with not only the neighbors of District 10, but also my colleagues on Council and City Staff. Collectively, we have accomplished great things.
Specifically, to the hardworking folks that comprise District 10, it humbles me to have earned your vote for three terms. We’ve been a great team and brought some much-needed common sense, pragmatism, and fiscal responsibility to the San Antonio City Council. With your support, we lowered our property tax rate; initiated our first ever homestead exemption; increased the police presence on our streets; expanded our parks and trails; improved drainage; and completed a large number of critically needed street repairs.
I am overwhelmed with pride for the incredible District 10 staff that I have been blessed to work with over the past six years. Their reputation in personalized customer service and increased outreach has greatly assisted so many of our neighbors, and I am forever grateful for each of them, past and present.
They say it “takes a village,” but in this case, it’s taken a “District.” Thank you, from the bottom of my heart, to everyone who reached out with words of encouragement, thoughts, and prayers over the years. I am truly awed. I will always be devoted to the neighbors of District 10 and San Antonio and look forward to the opportunity to serve the community once again in the near future.
Thank y’all and Gig’em
Clayton H Perry, Councilman, District 10