Lancaster’s Mayor Faces Recall Push from Former Election Rivals

Former mayoral candidates Johnathon Ervin and Mark Maldonado, who lost to Mayor R. Rex Parris in the 2024 election, are now working together to remove him from office. The pair announced plans to serve Parris with a notice of intent to recall at Tuesday’s City Council meeting.

The meeting is set for 1:30 p.m. at City Hall, 44933 Fern Ave., and will also be streamed live on the city's YouTube channel.

Parris, who won his sixth and final term with 4,763 votes, defeated a field of 10 challengers. Ervin came in second with 3,648 votes, followed by Maldonado with 3,190.

In a joint press release, Ervin and Maldonado listed reasons for the recall, including changes to the mayor’s term length and controversial comments made during council meetings.

One major issue highlighted was Parris’ behavior at a February 25 meeting. When a resident voiced concerns about a proposed homeless housing project and its impact on property values, Parris responded with a remark about giving homeless people free fentanyl.

The comment shocked many attendees and sparked outrage in the community. Recall supporters say the remark was unacceptable and showed a lack of compassion for vulnerable residents.

Parris later defended his words, calling them a metaphor for his frustration with rising crime tied to drug addiction. “I’m tired of citizens being scared and robbed by people struggling with addiction,” he said. “I want solutions, not endless problems.”

The recall effort also criticizes the council’s decision to shift meeting times from 5 p.m. to 1:30 p.m., limiting access for working residents. The council voted unanimously for the change, with Parris arguing that daytime meetings allow council members to be more alert and focused.

Despite the controversy, Parris remains firm in his decisions. “I’ll consider any idea that improves life in Lancaster,” he said. “If it works, we’ll do it. If it doesn’t, we won’t.”

For now, the recall process is just beginning — but it’s clear that some residents are eager for change.