BASTROP, Texas — Following months of controversy, Bastrop Mayor Lyle Nelson has resigned.
Nelson announced his resignation Tuesday during a press conference hours before a scheduled city council meeting. The meeting agenda’s last item was related to a recall election to remove Nelson from office.
For months, Nelson has been fighting allegations of misuse of citywide public funds. Nelson avoided a potential November recall election after the city clerk rejected a petition for not having the right documents.
“I will no longer be a part of a group that chooses to bring embarrassment to our community for their selective indignation,” Nelson said during his resignation speech. “While my detractors attribute this to an inappropriate recall, in reality, it’s my effort to mitigate the pettiness with hopes of moving our city forward. It’s about public service, not political gain.”
Nelson said the mayor’s position is vacant until the May 3 General Election. Those interested in appearing on the ballot must file by Feb. 14 at 5 p.m.
What happened to Mayor Nelson?
In 2023, Nelson was accused of being in a relationship with Visit Bastrop CEO Susan Smith, who also denied the allegations.
Months later, more Visit Bastrop employees came forward with letters full of more allegations. Mayor Pro-Tem John Kirkland said more than 230 pages of “highly intimate text messages” between the two were discovered that also showed the pair talking about spending funds.
Following an ethics complaint against Nelson for interfering with the investigation, Nelson was found guilty and given the highest reprimand.
Then in May, city leaders passed resolutions that limited Nelson’s responsibilities for the foreseeable future. He was also barred from preparing the agenda for Bastrop City Council meetings, and unable to work in private office space or have access to the employee-only area of City Hall.
At the time, Nelson refused to resign before his term expired in May 2026. Kirkland will serve as interim mayor until a new leader is elected.