General Election to include three possible recalls for City of Big Spring

Editor’s Note: In an effort to inform the voters as they head to the polls in the upcoming election on Nov. 3, the Big Spring Herald will be running a series of articles addressing contested races and local items that will appear on the ballot.

In the upcoming General Election, which will take place on Nov. 3, Bg Spring voters will be casting their vote in the Presidential Election on the national level and on several issues, including three recall petitions, at the local level. The recalls on the Nov. 3 ballot include City Council member Camilla Strande, District 5; City Council member Jim DePauw, District 6; and Big Spring Mayor Shannon Thomason.

The recall process was initiated for District 5 and District 6 representatives on June 25, shortly after four of the five Council members - Raul Marquez, District 1; Terri McDaniel, District 3; Camilla Strande, District 5; and Jim DePauw, District 6 - walked out of a City Council meeting held on June 23. The initial recall petition was filed by Dylan Archer-Pauchet against Council members Camilla Strande and Jim DePauw and cited the action as premeditated and coordinated dereliction of duty.

The support letter with the affidavit requesting the issuance of recall petitions also cited Council members Marquez and McDaniel were not included due to both going off the Council in November. While the original petition request was certified, on June 27 the request was de-certified due to ArcherPauchet not residing in either of the districts.

The recall process for the District 6 councilman DePauw was initiated once again by Michael Rye – a resident of District 6 - on July 1, 2020. Rye's affidavit requesting recall petitions for DePauw cited “unprofessionalism and derelict in their duties as city council members by