Judge Ramsey English Cantú Resigns as Maverick County Judge Following Removal Lawsuit
EAGLE PASS, Texas — Maverick County Judge Ramsey English Cantú announced Monday that he is resigning from office, bringing his current tenure as County Judge to an early conclusion with approximately four months remaining in his term.
Cantú announced the decision through a video message addressed directly to Maverick County residents, explaining that his resignation would become effective at 5:30 p.m. on August 17, 2026.
The announcement comes after legal proceedings seeking Cantú’s removal from office and subsequent orders issued by the district court that Cantú said have restricted what he can publicly discuss regarding certain matters involving Maverick County government.
Cantú made clear that he does not consider his resignation a surrender or an admission of wrongdoing. Instead, he said the restrictions placed upon him have prevented him from serving and publicly advocating for residents in the manner he believes the office requires.
“This is not a surrender, and it is certainly not the end,” Cantú said during the lengthy address.
Cantú Explains Why He Decided to Resign
Cantú said the decision came after prayer, reflection, and conversations with those closest to him.
He described it as one of the most difficult decisions of his life and said it was not made because of anger, frustration, or defeat.
Cantú instead connected his decision directly to his ability to continue speaking publicly on matters involving county government.
As a result of orders issued by the district court in connection with legal proceedings involving his office, Cantú said there are county government matters that he is restricted from publicly discussing.
“If I cannot fully speak and advocate on behalf of the people that I was elected to represent, then I have to ask myself whether I can continue serving you in the way that I believe you deserve,” Cantú said. He ultimately concluded that he could not.
Cantú said public service was never about holding a title or having the words County Judge before his name. He described his role as one that required him to question government decisions, demand accountability, and advocate for taxpayers.
He said that if he could no longer accomplish that from the County Judge’s Office in the manner he believed necessary, leaving the position would allow him to continue advocating for Maverick County in another capacity.
Cantú Reflects on Nearly $38 Million in Grant Funding
Before discussing the controversies surrounding his administration, Cantú used a significant portion of his announcement to highlight what he described as the accomplishments achieved during approximately three and a half years as County Judge.
One of the largest accomplishments highlighted was approximately $38 million in grant funding secured by Maverick County during that period.
Cantú credited the county’s Grants Department, law enforcement agencies, department heads, employees, Commissioners Court, and state and federal partners for helping obtain the funding.
He emphasized that the accomplishments did not belong to him alone.
Among the funding highlighted by Cantú was Senate Bill 22 funding that helped Maverick County provide more competitive compensation for law enforcement personnel.
He also pointed to auto theft grants that provided additional resources to the Maverick County Sheriff’s Office and Violence Against Women Act funding that strengthened resources available through the Maverick County Attorney’s Office to assist victims.
Emergency Services, Border Security and Infrastructure Investments
Cantú also highlighted funding secured for emergency warning systems in Maverick County’s rural communities.
Those systems were intended to provide residents with improved warnings during flooding, tornadoes, severe weather, and other emergencies.
Cantú said the county secured nearly $350,000 for a new ambulance for Fire and EMS as well as a new fire truck that was ultimately transferred to the City of Eagle Pass.
His administration also pursued Texas Parks and Wildlife funding for recreational improvements.
Cantú pointed to Operation Lone Star as another significant source of funding that provided resources to Maverick County as the region responded to the demands created by unprecedented levels of immigration along the Texas Mexico border.
One of the largest infrastructure investments highlighted during his announcement involved more than $16 million from the Texas Department of Transportation Aviation Division.
According to Cantú, that funding has been used toward renovations of the Maverick County Memorial International Airport runways and the beginning stages of future terminal upgrades.
New County Facilities and Community Projects
Cantú said the administration’s work extended beyond grant funding.
He pointed to the new Maverick County Sheriff’s Office substation in Precinct 4 and the new Justice Center in Precinct 3 in the Camargo area.
He also highlighted improvements to the Camargo Library, now known as the Anita Alarcon Mancha Camargo Public Library.
Cantú additionally pointed to the ongoing construction of the long awaited Veterans Memorial and other projects intended to bring county services closer to residents.
According to Cantú, these accomplishments were completed while Maverick County received three clean, positive external audits during his administration.
“These aren’t simply projects or numbers on a page,” Cantú said, explaining that the investments represent stronger law enforcement, improved emergency response, assistance for victims, investments in rural communities, and improved county services.
Cantú Says Accomplishments Belong to Entire County Team
Cantú acknowledged that his administration did not accomplish every goal and did not win every political or governmental battle.
He nevertheless said he leaves knowing his administration made a difference.
Cantú repeatedly emphasized the word “we” while discussing the administration’s record.
He credited county employees, department heads, law enforcement officers, first responders, Commissioners Court members, state and federal partners, taxpayers, and residents for the accomplishments achieved during his tenure.
Cantú Criticizes District Judges Over County Auditor Appointments
Cantú also used his resignation announcement to address one of the most contentious issues that has surrounded Maverick County government.
He criticized 365th District Judge Amado Abascal and 293rd District Judge Maribel Flores regarding their responsibility for appointing the Maverick County Auditor.
Cantú argued that Maverick County has been poorly served by the appointments of two county auditors who, according to Cantú, entered the position without previous county government experience.
He emphasized the significant authority held by the County Auditor and the importance of the position to the county’s financial operations.
Cantú said decisions involving the Auditor’s Office affect county departments, employees, services, Commissioners Court, and ultimately Maverick County taxpayers.
He directly addressed the district judges during his video.
“Do your job,” Cantú said. “Take that responsibility seriously and look at the bigger picture.”
Cantú argued that Maverick County’s financial health cannot be viewed exclusively through the needs of the district courts, their employees, or any individual county department.
Cantú Addresses Relationship With County Auditor Gloria Barrientos
Cantú also directly addressed his administration’s working relationship with Maverick County Auditor Gloria Barrientos.
He acknowledged that there is a history between himself and Barrientos dating back to his tenure as Mayor of Eagle Pass.
Cantú said that while serving as mayor he made the decision to terminate Barrientos from her position as Eagle Pass City Manager.
In Cantú’s view, that history contributed to a professional relationship between the Auditor’s Office and his administration that never developed into the partnership he believed Maverick County required.
Cantú characterized this as his own assessment and argued that personal disagreements should never interfere with governmental responsibilities.
“Whatever disagreements may exist between individuals, there is simply no room in government for personal or political vendettas,” Cantú said.
He said public officials have an obligation to work together despite personal disagreements because their responsibility to taxpayers is greater than conflicts between individuals.
Cantú expressed hope that whoever succeeds him will receive the cooperation necessary to successfully administer Maverick County government.
Nearly 20 Years of Public Service
Cantú also reflected on a political career spanning nearly two decades.
Before becoming Maverick County Judge, Cantú served as Mayor of the City of Eagle Pass.
He described serving in both positions as the greatest professional honor of his life and said he is one of only two individuals in the community’s history to have served in both of those elected leadership positions.
Cantú thanked his family, current and former staff members, county employees, department heads, law enforcement officers, first responders, volunteers, supporters, friends, and residents.
He also thanked residents who disagreed with him throughout his political career, saying democracy requires disagreement and government requires accountability.
Cantú Says He Leaves With a Clean Record
Near the conclusion of his announcement, Cantú strongly rejected any suggestion that his departure should be viewed as an admission of wrongdoing.
He said he was not leaving office under indictment, was not a convicted felon, and did not have pending criminal charges against him.
“I am leaving on my terms and with a clean conscience and a clean record,” Cantú said.
Cantú characterized his administration as one that challenged what he described as Maverick County’s previous status quo.
He said he leaves office without regrets about asking difficult questions, demanding financial accountability, seeking judicial accountability, or fighting for Maverick County residents.
Commissioners Court Will Select Cantú’s Successor
Cantú said his resignation leaves the Maverick County Commissioners Court with the responsibility of appointing someone to serve the approximately 125 days remaining in his term.
He called on Commissioners Court members to make that decision based on what is best for Maverick County.
Cantú also offered to assist whoever is selected to replace him to ensure an orderly transition.
He stressed that the transition should not revolve around political personalities, but instead should focus on stability, continuity, and ensuring that Maverick County government continues operating without interruption.
Cantú Hints His Political Career May Not Be Over
Although Cantú’s resignation ends his current service as Maverick County Judge, his final comments strongly suggested that his involvement in local politics and public service may continue.
“My commitment to you does not end when I leave the County Judge’s Office,” Cantú told residents.
He said public offices belong to the people and that public service does not require an elected title.
Cantú said residents will continue seeing him throughout Eagle Pass and Maverick County at grocery stores, convenience stores, restaurants, and elsewhere in the community.
Then came perhaps the strongest indication that Monday’s resignation may not represent the end of Cantú’s political career.
“And who knows? Maybe the next place you’ll see my name is at the ballot box,” Cantú said.
For now, however, his resignation closes his tenure as Maverick County Judge and places the immediate future of the county’s highest elected administrative office in the hands of the Maverick County Commissioners Court.
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