Sheriff Maketa won't run for re-election
Announces he won't seek a third term
Terry Maketa is turning in the badge he’s worn for more than two decades, saying he doesn’t have the desire anymore to serve as El Paso County sheriff.
Maketa, 45, who is entering his eighth year as sheriff, made the surprise announcement Wednesday that he would not be seeking a third, four-year term in November.
A 22-year veteran of the Sheriff’s Office, Maketa was a virtual shoo-in for the job, which pays about $111,000 annually.
“It’s hard to let go and change,” he said. “The Sheriff’s Office is all I have known my adult life.”
Maketa said he’s been approached with possible job offers, but does not have anything firm lined up. He said he would like to do something unrelated to law enforcement and wants to take the time to look around.
He also wants to spend more time with his family. “My son is a senior this year. He’s going to be starting a new chapter in his life. If I was campaigning, I would be missing it. And when the campaign is all said and done, the question is, what do I want to accomplish?”
The stress of the job has been tremendous, he continued. “You have to have a thick skin in this business. All of these issues — whether it’s an election, a ballot issue, or budget cuts — take a toll on you.”
When voters turned down a proposal last spring to extend a county property tax, Maketa said he was disheartened. “It took the wind out of my sails.”
Afterward, the Sheriff’s Office, as well as other county departments, were forced to cut their budgets and reduce staff.
“You keep looking to grab that fire and energy and it doesn’t come,” he said.
Maketa said he knew it was time for a change when he realized that he had not done any fund-raising or made any effort to organize his re-election campaign. “It forced me to look at the big picture and realize that my heart wasn’t in it.”
Although Maketa’s stepping out of public office, he still intends to remain politically involved: “We have some important races coming up. I’m excited to be on the sidelines helping people.”
Under Maketa’s leadership, the Sheriff’s Office created a strong relationship with Immigration and Customs Enforcement. In exchange for incarcerating individuals awaiting deportation, the Sheriff’s Office brought about $3 million in revenue into El Paso County. A million of that helped shore up the county’s insurance fund and another $1.9 million was used to build a new detox center, which opened in December.
“I could go on and on about the accomplishments of our office, but most importantly, I know in my heart that I have always done what I believe is best for our office and our community. I have left this organization better than when I took over as sheriff.
El Paso County officials said they were sorry to see him go. “He did an amazing job,” said county Commissioner Sallie Clark. “He was never afraid to tackle difficult issues.”
Clark, who is well connected among Republicans, speculated that Maketa made his announcement now, with party caucuses about two months away, to give other contenders time to organize their campaigns.
Only hours after Maketa made his surprise announcement, Todd Evans, a 12-year veteran of the Sheriff’s Office, announced that he’s running for the slot.
Dennis Hisey, newly elected chairman of the El Paso County Commission, also gave Maketa high marks for the work he has done. “The sheriff has done great job running his department. He’s had to work on shoe-string budget and has been innovative in meeting the needs of community.”
Before being elected sheriff, Maketa served as undersheriff to John Anderson.
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