Portales mayor stepping down

Portales Mayor Ron Jackson plans to resign at the end of the year due to health reasons, he announced at Tuesday’s City Council meeting.

Jackson is nearly two years through his current four-year term. He was elected mayor in 2018 before winning re-election in March 2022. He was also previously a City Council member from 2002 to 2014.

City Manager Sarah Austin said city councilors will appoint a new mayor until the next election.

Jackson told The News on Tuesday that he has been considering stepping down for about 18 months. He has stage 4 renal failure and is undergoing dialysis at home.

“It limits my travel and it limits my activity somewhat,” Jackson said.

Jackson said the timing seemed right considering the January change in council members.

“I felt like this is a good time to go ahead and step aside,” he said.

The U.S. Army veteran worked at James Polk Stone Community Bank for more than three decades, according to a candidate questionnaire he filled out in 2022. His family includes his wife, two children and a 16-month-old grandson.

Jackson said he expects that water, city employee recruitment and retention, and wide-ranging recovery from the pandemic and lockdowns will continue to be major issues for city leadership going forward.

“This council has worked hard for the city of Portales and for its residents,” he said. “... I’m proud of the time I’ve served as city mayor and as city councilman.”

Austin said the news was unexpected.

“I’m very sad about it because he’s been a very, very good mayor,” Austin said. “... I wish him all the best.”

Jackson’s last council meeting will be Dec. 12. The council will meet next on Jan. 2, when incoming council members will be sworn in, Austin said.