Harrisonburg Vice-Mayor Sal Romero says he will not seek a second term on Harrisonburg’s City Council. WMRA’s Bridget Manley reports.
Citing family as one of the main reasons not to seek reelection, Romero said that while he was the first Hispanic councilman in Harrisonburg, he will not be the last.
SAL ROMERO: The door has been opened. ... Because I think the community has seen the benefits of having a Latinx member, and not only for the Latinx community, but for the broader immigrant community. So, you know, the door is open, come right on in and let’s get some more people elected.
During his time on council, Romero worked on the completion of funding for the new Rocktown High School, established interpretation services for City Council and Planning Commission meetings, and has been working with city council to use American Rescue Plan Act funds to purchase land for use as a permanent year-round low-barrier homeless shelter.
Romero says that he hopes city council will continue to engage the immigrant community in Harrisonburg and keep them in the fold of civic engagement. His announcement leaves the door open for at least one new council member after next November’s election, with two seats open.
City Councilman Chris Jones will seek reelection for his council seat in this year’s election, and will be joined by four other candidates running for election.
The Democrats will face off in a firehouse caucus on June 4th, according to Alleyn Harned, Chair of the Harrisonburg Democratic Committee.
