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Mar 28, 2008 6:02 pm US/Central
Sex Offender Drops Out Of Wilmer Mayor's Race
WILMER (CBS 11 / TXA 21) ―
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James Brian Sliter was arrested for soliciting sex from a minor four years ago. (File)
CBS
Just weeks after filing the paperwork to run for Mayor of Wilmer, James Brian Sliter has dropped out of the race. The registered sex offender officially turned in a written notice to City Hall confirming his withdrawal as a candidate.
"I was relieved for his personal safety," said Joe Aldrich, a resident of Wilmer. "But I wonder what the race for Mayor will end up looking like. He seemed to have some good support."
The 42-year-old told CBS 11 News that he does not want the focus to be on him. Instead, he wants the race to be about the issues that the City of Wilmer is facing.
Sliter issued a written statement on Friday.
I've been convinced by the probation department to drop out of the race for mayor in the best interests of all concerned. My biggest concern is that my motivation for running and putting myself through this ordeal will go unnoticed. At this point, I feel I've done all I can for the community in focusing international attention on the problems in Wilmer.
One of my goals was to raise the level of awareness within and beyond the community to recognize the scandalous behavior and corruption in the city government. I am concerned that I may have failed the community because no Federal, State or local agencies have responded to our plea for investigations. Whether it is the Texas Department of Public Safety, Texas Rangers, FBI or the County authorities - repeated attempts to engage them have fallen on deaf ears.
The news hit hard for Wilmer resident Lynne Thompson, a friend of Sliter who encouraged him to run for office. "I'm a little sad," she said, "because I felt like he could really do a lot for this town, and that's what it's all about."
Sliter registered as a sex offender for soliciting sex with a 15-year-old girl. He was arrested in 2004 as part of an internet sting. He was not convicted, but did receive 10 years probation.
CBS 11 News spoke with Brian Sliter by phone. He said that, after annoucning his candidacy for Mayor, he began to receive death threats.
The accountant also said that he had received plenty of opposition as well, including the current Mayor of Wilmer, Don Hudson, who said, "How would you feel if you owned a multimillion dollar business and you had to sit down and discuss contracts and abatements with a sex offender?"
(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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