Tommy Adams, Willie Lee Land, and Terrya Norsworthy recall, Jasper, Texas (2011)

An attempt to recall Tommy Adams, Willie Lee Land, and Terrya Norsworthy from their elected positions as members of the city council of Jasper, Texas, was launched on June 28, 2011. A recall election took place on November 8, 2011. Norsworthy and Land were recalled from their seats while Adams retained his seat.

Tommy Adams represents District 3, Willie Lee Land represents District 4, and Terrya Norsworthy is the Mayor Pro-Tem and the At-Large representative. The three council members had filed a case in federal court seeking an injunction to stop the recall election.

Reasons for recall

The recall effort was led by area lawyer Mike Getz through a group called the League of Concerned Citizens for Jasper. The League of Concerned Citizens accused all three recall targets of incompetence and misconduct. All three recall targets were African-American and had voted earlier this year to hire the city's first African-American police chief. Recall organizers said that more competent candidates had been passed over for the job.

Path to the ballot

The ability to force a recall election in Jasper is laid out in the city's charter. According to the recall rules set forth in that charter, a recall election for a city council member can be mandated if a petition is signed by at least 30% of registered voters. The current petition will need signatures from approximately 324 registered Jasper voters to force a recall.

Election results

• Percentage of votes to recall Tommy Adams: 25% d
• Percentage of votes to recall Willie Lee Land: 59% a
• Percentage of votes to recall Terrya Norsworthy: 54% a

See also

• Recall campaigns in Texas
• Political recall efforts, 2011
• City council recalls