At the center of this runoff is the issue of health benefits for domestic partners of city employees. The ordinance was passed last November, but has been met with contentious debate ever since.

“My personal belief has always been the same, which is I do believe in equal rights with all,” said Ness Garcia in a recent interview with KFOX-14.

“I just want to stop spending money. We've spent close to a quarter of a million dollars on this, including the special election, including the litigation, and we have way more pressing things to worry about if we want to move El Paso forward,” she added.

KFOX 14 made numerous attempts by phone this week to interview Lily. Our requests were denied and other phone calls were not returned.

Lily, who originally did not support the ordinance, has come under fire recently for changing her mind on the issue. In a recent interview with our media partner, The El Paso Times, Lily is quoted as saying, “I don’t agree with it, but I think it’s the will of the people.”

Regardless of who wins the runoff race, the issue of health benefits will once again be taking center stage at next week’s planned meeting of El Paso City Council.