CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas — The federal lawsuit filed by Corpus Christi Mayor Paulette Guajardo has been dismissed by U.S. District Judge George C. Hanks Jr., clearing the way for the City of Corpus Christi’s removal proceedings to continue unless another court steps in.
Guajardo filed the lawsuit on April 13, asking the federal court to stop the city’s effort to remove her from office. Her attorneys argued the removal process violated her due-process rights, treated her differently from other council members involved in the Homewood Suites vote, and was retaliation in violation of the First Amendment.
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Judge Hanks rejected those federal claims. In his ruling, the judge found that federal due process does not protect Guajardo’s right to remain in elected office the same way it might protect a traditional job or property interest. He also rejected her equal-protection claim, finding she had not shown she was unfairly singled out in a way that violates federal law. On the First Amendment retaliation claim, the judge ruled Guajardo had not connected the removal effort strongly enough to retaliation by the City or council members.
The ruling means the federal court will not intervene to stop the removal process. Guajardo’s federal claims were dismissed with prejudice, meaning they cannot be refiled in the same form. Her Texas state-law claims were dismissed without prejudice, which means those arguments were not decided on the merits and could potentially be pursued in state court.
The city’s removal proceedings against Guajardo are expected to continue. 3NEWS has reached out to the mayor for comment but has not heard back. Stay with 3NEWS on air and online for the latest updates.