W.F. City Clerk Discusses Candidate Withdrawal
By: Mechell Dixon
Updated: March 19, 2013
We have more information regarding the disqualification of a candidate in the Wichita Falls At-Large city council race in May.
Yesterday, we told you that Steve Whitson withdrew from the race.
However, because he did it after the March 1st deadline date, his name will still appear on the ballot.
The issue is presenting a complicated matter for city leaders.
They says if Whitson had withdrawn before the deadline date the city would not have to open polling places all across the city for the at-large position.
And that would save the city about $5,000 but Whitson's name will be on the ballot despite having a criminal record from two separate charges out of Young county from the 1990's.
City clerk Lydia Ozuna says when an applicant files to run for a city office background checks are not required.
"When an applicant files for a place on the ballot there is a deadline that is set up by state law and when they bring their application in... I am required to review it according to form and content. There is nothing in there... and actually I am authorized to do a background check on any applicant. There is information on there that they have to meet the requirements that have to be met. He met all the requirements according to what I have to check," Ozuna explains.
Ozuna says she received certified documents out of Young County regarding Whitson's criminal history.
She says after reviewing them she would have declared Whitson ineligible to hold office, whether he tried to withdraw or not.
This is the second year in row Whitson has been disqaulifed from serving.
Last year officials found out he had not registered to vote.
