Mayor Forced To Resign After Mask Mandate Faux Pas

A mayor in western Kansas announced to city officials and on social media that she is resigning her position immediately after receiving backlash over her recent mask mandate. 

Mayor Joyce Warshaw (R) of Dodge City said she is concerned about her safety after receiving threats by phone and email over her mask mandate. 

“[It was a] very very tough, difficult decision to make because I have no regrets about any of my actions or decisions I made as mayor but I think it’s best to move on,” Warshaw said. “Particularly my husband said ‘you’re done, you’re done.’ Maybe the city can just move on.”

“Life has dealt out many challenges in our world that have perhaps caused many people to act inappropriately but I do not feel safe in this position anymore and am hopeful in removing myself this anger, accusations and abuse will not fall on anyone else and will calm down,” she said in the letter.

Some of the threatening emails have been turned over to the police but were not made public. Dodge City Police Chief Drew Francis said that his department is looking into the threats to see what type of response is needed. 

City commissioners aren’t exactly upset about Warshaw’s resignation despite voting for the mandate themselves. 

Dodge City Daily Globe reported: 

The Daily Globe reached out to other commissioners about Warshaw’s resignation.

Commissioner Kent Smoll said Tuesday afternoon, “I was saddened to see the letter from Mayor Warshaw. I have not talked with her. Her decision is a personal one and I respect it. She was and continues to be a great ambassador for Dodge City. I wish Joyce the best.”

Commissioner Brian Delzeit said, “I do not have a comment.”

Commissioners Rick Sowers and Joseph Nuci did not respond by press time.

The city commission voted 4-1 on November 16th in favor of a mask mandate. 

NBC News | Dodge City Daily Globe