Valéro withdraws from departmental race

Daniel Valéro, mayor of Genas and a member of the Divers Droite party, has decided not to run in the upcoming departmental elections set for November 12. His decision leaves a vacancy in the race for the presidency of the Rhône department.

Verchère becomes leading candidate

Patrice Verchère is now the leading candidate to succeed Christophe Guilloteau, who will step down as president of the Rhône department after being elected to the Senate. Verchère is currently mayor of Cours and a member of the departmental council.

Valéro explains his decision

Valéro made his decision public in a letter sent to departmental officials last week. In the letter, obtained by Le Patriote Beaujolais, he stated that voters had given him their trust with strength and results that had deeply honored him.

Valéro cites conflicting responsibilities

He explained that he could not ask voters to renew his mayoral mandate for a fourth time and then step away to take on a departmental presidency for only fifteen months. This reasoning led him to withdraw from the race.

Verchère poised for presidency

With Valéro’s withdrawal, Patrice Verchère is now positioned as the number one candidate for the presidency of the Rhône Department. He currently holds the position of vice-president in charge of roads and general budget rapporteur.

Valéro may become first vice-president

Unless something changes, Verchère is expected to take over the departmental presidency on November 12. Valéro, meanwhile, could potentially be named first vice-president of the department.