LUBBOCK, Texas (KCBD) – Jason Corley returned to his seat on the Lubbock County Commissioner’s Court Monday morning, while a higher court reviews the decision that put him back in office.
The Seventh Court of Appeals in Amarillo will review the proceedings and decide whether Visiting Senior Judge Patrick Pirtle made the right call Friday. Pirtle ruled Corley did not automatically resign his office when he announced an exploratory committee for a congressional run in November.
Lubbock County Judge Curtis Parrish removed Corley from office two weeks ago, saying he believed Corley declared his candidacy and should resign according to the state’s “resign to run” law. Parrish appointed Mark Meurer to the Precinct 2 seat the same day, prompting Corley to sue.
Meurer’s attorneys asked the 7th Court of Appeals to intervene before Monday morning’s meeting, claiming Judge Pirtle did not follow proper procedure for this kind of case. The court refused, meaning the decision stands for now.
Parrish and Corley sat next to each other in commissioner’s court Monday morning, just 72 hours after going up against each other in court. Both described the meeting with the same phrase.
“Business as usual,” Corley said.
“This is business as usual,” Parrish said.
The two elected officials set their differences aside for the last commissioners court meeting of the year as Corley reset his name plaque on the dais.
“You know, I was always the county commissioner and we just had to have a district judge confirm it,” Corley said.
Corley said his plan is to finish his term, which runs through the end of next year, and the denial of Meurer’s emergency appeal is another step in that direction.
“Relator’s motion for temporary relief and stay is denied,” Corley said, reading from court documents. “So, well, there you go. That’s that. So, almost done with this.”
Parrish said Lubbock County will follow the law and the judge’s temporary ruling.
“But, I think what people really want, and what they’re really anticipating is a hearing on the merits of the case and that will come at a later date and that’s the one that I’m really anticipating and looking forward to,” Parrish said.
Corley accused Parrish of “twisting the law” to reach the conclusion he became a candidate through email specifics and a private text message.
“I’ve gotten phone calls from people that I haven’t heard from in years or people that are not that political that just like, I can’t believe this happened,” Corley said. “You know, people that I’ve talked to said, look, this doesn’t just go on in Washington, DC. It’s not just Donald Trump that they’ll take these kinds of shots at. You know, any conservative out there is fair game.”
Parrish said following the law closely is how the two ended up in this situation.
“If the question is, am I being a stickler about the law? The answer is yes. Absolutely being a stickler for the law,” Parrish said. “I’m a judge and I’m the county judge and my job, my solemn oath, my duty is to follow the law and protect this county. And I will do so to the best of my ability.”
With the appeal denied, Corley remains the office holder. Parrish said when the full hearing happens will be up to the judge who eventually takes it up.
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