The mayoral race in Manor has taken a dramatic turn with candidate Robert Edward Battaile's recent arrest for alleged harassment against city manager Scott Moore. CBS Austin reports that Battaile was cited and released for using a racial slur in an incident caught on camera on August 19. Since then, he has reportedly sent a series of defamatory emails targeting various city officials and entities.
According to the arrest affidavit, Battaile continued this pattern of behavior beyond the initial confrontation, sending at least 13 emails that contained accusations of election fraud and attacks on Scott Moore and other officials. Moore has expressed fear for his safety, concerned that the harassment might lead to violence, "Since 2022, Mr. Battaile has sent a barrage of offensive and disturbing insults and threatening behavior through e-mails and at public events, creating a hostile work environment for my staff, the elected officials, and me," Moore provided in a statement obtained by CBS Austin.
A separate incident that sparked this contentious atmosphere was highlighted in an exclusive interview with FOX 7 Austin News, where Battaile argued that a potential candidate was improperly barred from the ballot, claiming, "They kept and suppressed a person from being on the ballot." Moore countered that the individual in question was not a registered Manor voter, hence ineligible for candidacy.
Despite facing charges and public backlash, Battaile defends his actions, asserting to FOX 7 Austin News his right to spread what he believes is truth, "I send out sometimes 4 or 500 emails once or twice a week," Battaile stated, "So this has been going on for two years. It only became harassment when I started talking about election coercion." Moreover, his social media interactions have led to a permanent ban on the Nextdoor app.
Moore described his reaction to the incidents, "I can't believe this happened in a place where I work, a community that I call home," he told FOX 7 Austin News.And then again, he's running for office. And again, he's got ideas and motives. But it really wouldn't serve the residents. If you really look at what he's done repeatedly since he's been here."
