{"id":388527,"date":"2025-11-18T22:28:14","date_gmt":"2025-11-18T22:28:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/388527\/"},"modified":"2025-11-18T22:28:14","modified_gmt":"2025-11-18T22:28:14","slug":"politically-powerful-public-safety-unions-make-early-endorsements-in-bexar-county-judge-race","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/388527\/","title":{"rendered":"Politically powerful public safety unions make early endorsements in Bexar County judge race"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"Peter Sakai gives a speech after his campaign\u2019s victory party in 2022. Credit: Sanford Nowlin<\/p>\n

Two of San Antonio area\u2019s politically powerful public safety unions are making early endorsements in the race for Bexar County judge.<\/p>\n

On Monday, both the San Antonio Professional Firefighters Union and the Deputy Sheriffs\u2019 Association of Bexar County (DSABC) threw their backing behind incumbent Bexar County Judge Peter Sakai.\u00a0<\/p>\n

In the case of the fire union, it\u2019s not necessarily a surprise. The firefighters haven\u2019t exactly been cozy with former Mayor Ron Nirenberg, who\u2019s running against Sakai in the Democratic primary. <\/p>\n

In 2015, the fire union rescinded its endorsement of then-District 8 councilman for his lack of support during contentious contract negotiations with the city.\u00a0The firefighters would later endorse Nirenberg\u2019s 2017 and 2019 mayoral opponents.<\/p>\n

Fire union Legislative Director Javier Patlan told the Express-News<\/a> that the group backed Sakai in 2022, adding that its endorsement doesn\u2019t change unless \u201cthere\u2019s some reason to rescind it.\u201d<\/p>\n

DSABC\u2019s endorsement of Democrat Sakai may seem odd since the union previously backed the likes of Gov. Greg Abbott, State Rep. Marc LaHood and County Commissioner Grant Moody, the court\u2019s lone Republican.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Union President Ron Tooke said the deputies\u2019 support for Sakai stems from the judge\u2019s joint City-County Public Safety Action Plan and Straight to the Streets program, which strengthened recruiting and retention for the Sheriff\u2019s Office. \u00a0<\/p>\n

\u201cAlong with major investments in mental health and addiction treatment, we share a commitment to strengthening families and addressing the root causes of crime,\u201d Tooke said in a statement. \u201cI\u2019m appreciative of their support, but even more grateful for the daily sacrifices they make to keep our families safe.\u201d<\/p>\n

It\u2019s worth mentioning, however, that the union also is involved in active dispute with the county about its members\u2019 employment contracts.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Meanwhile, Nirenberg has garnered endorsements of his own, including those of former Bexar County Judge Nelson Wolff, District 2 Councilman Jalen McKee-Rodriguez and State Rep. Trey Martinez Fischer, D-San Antonio.\u00a0<\/p>\n

The Democratic primary for Bexar County judge is March 3.\u00a0<\/p>\n

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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\"Bexar\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a><\/p>\n

\n\t\t\t\t\t\u2018Considering the challenges we face, it\u2019s disappointing that some would rather start fights within our Democratic party than work together to lift up our community,\u2019 Sakai said.\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n

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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\"Former\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a><\/p>\n

\n\t\t\t\t\tNelson Wolff instead plans to back State Rep. Trey Martinez Fischer in the Democratic primary, his nephew alleged on TikTok. \t\t\t\t<\/p>\n

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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\"Ron\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a><\/p>\n

\n\t\t\t\t\tThe former San Antonio mayor will take on Bexar County Judge Peter Sakai in the Democratic primary \u2014 and Sakai isn\u2019t too happy. \t\t\t\t<\/p>\n

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