Local banker and city commission member Bryant Ward has declined to accept the office of City of Temple Council Member, District Two.

In a new release, City of Temple Director of Communications Shannon Gowan wrote that City Secretary Lacy Borgeson accepted a letter from Mr. Ward Thursday morning declining the seat.

According to Gowan, Ward's letter cited unspecified personal reasons, and he said he would not be able to carry out the duties of a council member at this time.

Ward was set to take an oath of office in May.

The City of Temple will call for a special election to fill the vacancy. The issue will be discussed in further detail at a special called meeting of the City Council on Wednesday, April 12.

On February 3, 2017, Cody Weems with the Temple Daily Telegram reported that then-District Two Council Member Judy Morales would not be seeking a third term in May, and had recommended Ward as a replacement. Ward, a banker with Extraco and a member of the City's Planning and Zoning Commission, told the Telegram he'd been considering a run for the seat.

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