Government

Mayor

Current Term: 2nd | Term Ends: December 2024

Mayor Oscar Leeser assumed office on January 5, 2021. His current term ends on January 7, 2025. He previously served as Mayor of El Paso from 2013 to 2017. After retreating from public life to deal with some personal health issues, he returned in a new run for Mayor, winning the election with 80% of the vote.

Mayor Leeser was born in Chihuahua, Mexico, and arrived in El Paso with his family at 9-years-old speaking no English. He is now the owner and operator of the largest Hispanic Hyundai dealership in the nation and is serving his second term as Mayor in one of the most diverse and progressive international border regions in the world. He believes in leading with integrity, transparency, fiscal responsibility, and a no-nonsense business approach to management.

Mayor's Office
300 N. Campbell
El Paso, TX

If you have any questions, comments, or feedback on the City, please feel free to email me at [email protected] or call (915) 212-0021

 

Mayor Staff

Estrella Escobar

Estrella Escobar
Senior Chief of Staff

Irma Mendoza

Irma Mendoza
Executive Secretary to the Mayor

Powers & Duties

The Mayor shall be recognized as head of the City government for all ceremonial purposes and by the governor for purposes of military law but shall have no administrative duties except those specified here. The Mayor shall be a member of and preside over the City Council, having the power to:

  • propose legislation
  • represent the City in intra/inter-governmental relationships
  • appoint with the consent of the Council the members of citizen advisory boards and commissions
  • make appointments and perform duties pursuant to federal and state law
  • present an annual state of the City message
  • break tie votes
  • veto legislation except for any City Council action which removes the City Manager
  • convene the Council in special session and perform other duties specified by the Council.

It is the Mayor's duty to sign all lawful acts of the Council, such as ordinances, resolutions, conveyances, grant agreements, plats, contracts, and bonds. The Council may by ordinance provide that additional designated officials may sign such acts of Council on behalf of the Mayor, as provided by law. The Mayor shall have the sole authority to appoint and remove the Mayor’s Executive Secretary and Executive Assistant(s).

Mayor Pro Tempore

At the start of a new term of office for the Mayor, the Council shall elect from among the Representatives a Mayor Pro Tempore, who shall hold that office for a two-year term. Should the office of Mayor Pro Tempore become vacant, the Council shall elect a new Mayor Pro Tempore.

During the Mayor's absence or disability, the Mayor Pro Tempore shall act as Mayor, but shall vote as a Representative, and shall have no veto power. In the event of the absence of both the Mayor and Mayor Pro Tempore, the Council shall elect an alternate Mayor Pro Tempore to serve until the return of the Mayor or Mayor Pro Tempore.