County's only treasurer candidate withdraws

The ballot for Quay County treasurer for November's election is blank at least temporarily after the unopposed Republican candidate suddenly withdrew last week.

Quay County deputy treasurer Albenita R. Rael on July 24 officially withdrew her uncontested candidacy as the Republican candidate for treasurer for the Nov. 5 election. She was uncontested in the June primary election.

No Democratic candidate filed for the position in the county, which means the ballot for that position would be blank unless county Republicans select a substitute.

The current Quay County treasurer, Patsy Gresham, said Rael resigned from her office on July 23, one day before she withdrew her candidacy.

"Those were surprises to me," Gresham said.

Gresham is term-limited and cannot run for treasurer again.

Rael, reached by phone, said she resigned her post from the county treasurer's office and withdrew her candidacy for personal reasons.

She did not elaborate further.

The Quay County Clerk's Office filed a legal notice with the Quay County Sun, stating the Republican Party of Quay County is seeking a Republican candidate for the vacant county treasurer ballot.

Those interested who also are registered Republicans in the county must mail a letter of interest by 5 p.m. Aug. 9 to The Republican Party of Quay County, 1788 Quay Road 60, San Jon, NM 88434.

The local GOP will select a candidate at its regularly scheduled meeting on Aug. 20.

Quay County Clerk Ellen White said if county Republicans cannot find a candidate for treasurer, the Quay County Commission would appoint one for a two-year term in January.