The tumultuous campaign season continues as Ed Prieto has now bowed out of the race to seek a sixth term for office. He is opposed now by two candidates, Undersheriff Tom Lopez and Woodland resident John L. Jackson.
The following statement was released:
For the past twenty years, I have woken up each morning proud and excited to go to work with my colleagues protecting the people of Yolo County. With that, I believe there is a time in everyone’s life where work can no longer be your primary focus. It is with great comfort and support of my family that I have decided to not seek re-election to instead focus on my quality of life with my wife, five daughters and eight grandchildren.
I have been honored in serving as the twenty-second elected Sheriff-Coroner of Yolo County and the third most tenured. Since being 
sworn in January 3, 1999, it was my focus to enhance the department and collaborate with other leaders in the county to improve the safety and services to the people of Yolo County. I am tremendously proud and humbled by the work the Sheriff’s Department, allied agencies and I have done together in creating an organization that serves at the pleasure of the community in providing ‘Service Without Limitations.’
Over the last twenty years the Sheriff Department has improved community engagement, worked to reduce and prevent crime, greatly advanced our technologies and equipment, created a more diverse work force, and expanded our roll in the county. We, together, have done a tremendous amount of great work.
It has become clear to me that a contentious campaign between two candidates within our organization would be divisive and ultimately harmful to the department and our mission moving forward. The interest of the department and the people of Yolo County we serve must come first. With the emerging candidates, I am confident that the Yolo County Sheriff’s Department is well positioned with a strong executive team to continue to grow and excel. I am proud of the employees I have hired, and enjoyed working with them as they continue to flourish in their positions. I look forward to a smooth transition of new leadership at the end of this term.
My focus is, and will continue to be, on the health and the success of our organization and best serving the people of Yolo County. It has been one of my life’s greatest honors to represent and work with our distinguished Yolo County Sheriff’s Department, and I look forward to closing out my 50-year career with this organization
Dedicating the last 50 years of my life to public safety and service in law enforcement has been a privilege. At the end of this term, I am looking forward to shifting my focus to the next chapter of my life with my wife and partner of thirty years, Ramona Prieto, and family.
Is it too late to get Prieto’s name off the ballot? If he’s listed and isn’t interested in serving, it’s going to make for a very curious result.
I believe his name remains on the ballot because he turned in the signatures on Friday
That could be an interesting situation. Do you know the protocol for what happens in the case of an election in which the winner declines to serve ?
It would probably be like any resignation, an appointment and then a new election in two years to fill the term. Of course, there’s no guarantee he would decline to serve.
“Of course, there’s no guarantee he would decline to serve.”
Right. A case of timing is everything ?
One of the reasons he cited was a contentious and divisive campaign.
I bet the fact that he can retire with a great pension and not have to deal with all this is another reason (transparent CA has his total pay + benefits over $300K in 2016).
https://transparentcalifornia.com/salaries/2016/yolo-county/prieto-edward-g/
P.S. If his name is on the ballot I bet he will win, about 30 years ago San Mateo County sheriff Brendan Maguire died before the election and still won in a landslide
Why would anyone vote for Ed Prieto in the first place?