Vargas retires as county clerk

Donley County Clerk Fay Vargas has announced her retirement after more than 30 years of service.

Vargas told the Enterprise that her health was the main reason she chose to retire. Her resignation becomes effective February 28.

“The time was just right with my health,” Vargas said. “With this COVID, I’ve managed to avoid it, but I’ve decided it’s time.”

Vargas said the county is also going to be getting new voting equipment this year and the Legislature is meeting and will likely make changes to election laws, so those were also factors influencing her.

“I’m looking forward to my only responsibility to be to go vote,” she said. “I encourage everyone to get out and vote. I appreciate every voter who helped keep me in office, and I thank them for their support.”

Vargas succeeded P.C. Messer as the county and district clerk and has served in that role for 34 years and two months. In all that time, she said she’s only had three people run against her for the job.

Vargas was the county’s only Democrat in office. When she first ran, Democrats held every elected office at the county level. Since then, those other offices have either been won by Republicans or the office holders have switched parties.

Donley County Commissioners will meet this Friday to name someone to fill Vargas’ position. Her term expires in 2022.