SAN ANTONIO (KTSA News) – Bexar County officials are replacing a constable whose office was raided this week by the FBI and Texas Rangers.

The raid isn’t the reason given for Michelle Barrientes Vela’s removal from office.  County Judge Nelson Wolff says Vela automatically resigned her position as Constable Precinct 2 when she told media outlets that she’s running for sheriff.

“The statements made by the constable in this instance constitute an announcement of candidacy, which triggers the resign-to-run provision of Article XVI, Section 65 of the Texas Constitution,” Wolff said Wednesday afternoon.

He invited interested candidates to download an application on the Bexar County website.   They can provide a notarized application, resume and cover letter in writing on or before 12 pm Monday, September 30th, to the office of the county manager, attention Thomas Guevara. Tuesday, each commissioner will select candidates to interview.  Commissioners will convene at 9 a.m. Wednesday, October 2, to interview and select a final candidate.

“What this means is, the constable will hold office in holdover status until the Commissioners Court meets to appoint a successor,” said Wolff.

Vela was in the room with her attorney when Wolff made the announcement. She told reporters she was going back to her office, but she refused to answer questions.

“My service is to Bexar County constituents of Precinct 2 as their elected official and I have a duty to do, so we actually have to return to work here in a bit,” she said. “I’ve been voted in by my constituents and I will continue to serve them in Precinct 2, so my service is to Bexar County constituents of Precinct 2.”

Vela did not answer questions about whether she still plans to run for sheriff.

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