{"id":438380,"date":"2025-12-10T18:20:12","date_gmt":"2025-12-10T18:20:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/438380\/"},"modified":"2025-12-10T18:20:12","modified_gmt":"2025-12-10T18:20:12","slug":"meet-the-candidates-running-for-office-in-bexar-county-in-2026","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/438380\/","title":{"rendered":"Meet the candidates running for office in Bexar County in 2026"},"content":{"rendered":"

Nearly all of Bexar County\u2019s elected leaders will be on the ballot in 2026, including big races for county judge and district attorney.<\/p>\n

The county is responsible for overseeing the courts, jail, elections, public records and infrastructure for more than two million residents. It\u2019s led by a county judge, as well as four county commissioners who represent different geographic precincts on the Bexar County Commissioners Court<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Each of those officials serve four-year terms, but only half of the commissioner precincts are up for reelection at a time. Precincts 2 and 4 will elect theirs in 2026, while the Precinct 1 and 3 commissioners<\/a> will be on the ballot in 2028<\/p>\n

With the exception of the Bexar County sheriff<\/a>, all of the other countywide positions are up this year, including the County Clerk and District Clerk, county courts at law and a portion of the county\u2019s state district judges.<\/p>\n

Filing for those races closed on Dec. 8 and we\u2019ve compiled a list of all the candidates running for top county leadership positions, as reported by the local Democratic and Republican parties, which oversee the primary process.<\/p>\n

Democrats and Republicans will each choose their nominees for the November election in a March 3 primary<\/a>. The general election ballot could also include third-party candidates that have not yet been nominated, and will be added to this list.<\/p>\n

We\u2019ll have a comprehensive voter guide with the candidates for governor, U.S. Senate, Congress, the Texas Legislature and judicial races that are also on the ballot in 2026 before early voting starts.<\/p>\n

2026 Bexar County Judge race<\/p>\n

Bexar County Judge Peter Sakai faces a primary challenge from former Mayor Ron Nirenberg, a fellow Democrat. The winner will go up against Republican Patrick Von Dohlen, who is running unopposed for his party\u2019s nomination, in November.<\/p>\n

Democratic candidates for Bexar County Judge<\/p>\n

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

\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t Peter Sakai <\/a>
\n\t\t\t\tPeter Sakai was first elected Bexar County Judge in 2022, after serving many years as a civil district court judge. <\/p>\n

Bexar County Judge race<\/p>\n

Democrat<\/p>\n

Incumbent<\/p>\n

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

\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t Ron Nirenberg <\/a>
\n\t\t\t\tRon Nirenberg was San Antonio’s mayor from 2017 to 2015, and previously managed Trinity University’s radio station.<\/p>\n

Bexar County Judge race<\/p>\n

Democrat<\/p>\n

Challenger<\/p>\n

Republican candidate for Bexar County Judge<\/p>\n

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

\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t Patrick Von Dohlen <\/a>
\n\t\t\t\tPatrick Von Dohlen is a conservative activist who runs the San Antonio Family Association PAC.<\/p>\n

Bexar County Judge race<\/p>\n

Republican<\/p>\n

Challenger<\/p>\n

2026 Bexar County District Attorney race<\/p>\n

District Attorney Joe Gonzales, a Democrat who has held the role since 2018, isn\u2019t seeking reelection<\/a> this year. Eight Democrats are competing for the party\u2019s nomination to replace him, and the winner will go up against the lone Republican filer, Ashley Foster, in November.<\/p>\n

Democratic candidates for Bexar County DA<\/p>\n

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

\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t James Bethke <\/a>
\n\t\t\t\tJames “Jim” Bethke is the director of Bexar County’s Managed Assigned Counsel Office.<\/p>\n

Bexar County District Attorney<\/p>\n

Democrat<\/p>\n

Open race \u2014 no incumbent<\/p>\n

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

\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t Meli Carri\u00f3n Powers <\/a>
\n\t\t\t\tAngelica “Meli” Carri\u00f3n Powers serves as chief of the District Attorney\u2019s Family Violence Division.<\/p>\n

Bexar County District Attorney<\/p>\n

Democrat<\/p>\n

Open race \u2014 no incumbent<\/p>\n

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

\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t Luz Elena Chapa <\/a>
\n\t\t\t\tLuz Elena Chapa served on the 4th Court of Appeals until 2024 and has since worked as a visiting judge.<\/p>\n

Bexar County District Attorney<\/p>\n

Democrat<\/p>\n

Open race \u2014 no incumbent<\/p>\n

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

\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t Luz Elena Chapa <\/a>
\n\t\t\t\tLuz Elena Chapa served on the 4th Court of Appeals until 2024 and has since worked as a visiting judge.<\/p>\n

Bexar County District Attorney<\/p>\n

Democrat<\/p>\n

Open race \u2014 no incumbent<\/p>\n

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

\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t Jane Davis <\/a>
\n\t\t\t\tJane Davis is the chief of the juvenile section\u00a0of the Bexar County\u00a0District Attorney’s Office.<\/p>\n

Bexar County District Attorney<\/p>\n

Democrat<\/p>\n

Open race \u2014 no incumbent<\/p>\n

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

\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t Veronica Legarreta <\/a>
\n\t\t\t\tVeronica Legarreta is a criminal defense attorney and former prosecutor in the District Attorney’s office.<\/p>\n

Bexar County District Attorney<\/p>\n

Democrat<\/p>\n

Open race \u2014 no incumbent<\/p>\n

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

\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t Shannon Locke <\/a>
\n\t\t\t\tShannon Locke is a defense attorney who previously worked in the DA’s office prosecuting financial crimes.<\/p>\n

Bexar County District Attorney<\/p>\n

Democrat<\/p>\n

Open race \u2014 no incumbent<\/p>\n

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

\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t Oscar Salinas <\/a>
\n\t\t\t\tOscar Salinas is a Brownsville native who\u00a0has served as a prosecutor in Bexar County for more than a decade.<\/p>\n

Bexar County District Attorney<\/p>\n

Democrat<\/p>\n

Open race \u2014 no incumbent<\/p>\n

Republicans candidate for Bexar County DA<\/p>\n

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

\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t Ashley Foster <\/a>
\n\t\t\t\tAshley Foster spent more than a decade with the DA’s office as a felony prosecutor.<\/p>\n

Bexar County District Attorney<\/p>\n

Republican<\/p>\n

Open race \u2014 no incumbent<\/p>\n

2026 Bexar County District Clerk race<\/p>\n

Four Democrats are challenging District Clerk Gloria Martinez (D) in the March 3 primary. No Republicans filed to run for District Clerk in 2026.<\/p>\n

Democratic candidates for District Clerk<\/p>\n

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

\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t Gloria A. Martinez <\/a>
\n\t\t\t\tGloria Martinez was elected District Clerk in 2022, having started her career in that office roughly four decades ago.<\/p>\n

Bexar County District Clerk race<\/p>\n

Democrat<\/p>\n

Incumbent<\/p>\n

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

\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t Monica Ramirez Alc\u00e1ntara <\/a>
\n\t\t\t\tMonica Ramirez Alc\u00e1ntara is a litigation paralegal who previously chaired the Bexar County Democratic Party.<\/p>\n

Bexar County District Clerk race<\/p>\n

Democrat<\/p>\n

Challenger<\/p>\n

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

\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t Christine Castillo <\/a>
\n\t\t\t\tChristine “Chris” Castillo worked in the Bexar County District Clerk’s office for 33 years before retiring in 2019.<\/p>\n

Bexar County District Clerk race<\/p>\n

Democrat<\/p>\n

Challenger<\/p>\n

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

\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t Raul Davila <\/a>
\n\t\t\t\tRaul Davila owns a litigation support company and ran for a Northside ISD school board seat in 2024.<\/p>\n

Bexar County District Clerk race<\/p>\n

Democrat<\/p>\n

Challenger<\/p>\n

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

\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t Elva Abundis-Esparza <\/a>
\n\t\t\t\tElva Abundis-Esparza has worked for private law firms and held various roles in the District Clerk’s office.<\/p>\n

Bexar County District Clerk race<\/p>\n

Democrat<\/p>\n

Challenger<\/p>\n

Republican candidates for District Clerk<\/p>\n

None<\/p>\n

2026 Bexar County Clerk race<\/p>\n

Two Democrats are challenging Bexar County Clerk Lucy Adame-Clark (D) in the March 3 primary. No Republicans filed to run for Bexar County Clerk in 2026.<\/p>\n

Democratic candidates for Bexar County Clerk<\/p>\n

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

\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t Lucy Adame-Clark <\/a>
\n\t\t\t\tLucy Adame-Clark started her career in the Sheriff\u2019s Office and has served as Bexar County Clerk since 2018.<\/p>\n

Bexar County Clerk race<\/p>\n

Democrat<\/p>\n

Incumbent<\/p>\n

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

Bexar County Clerk race<\/p>\n

Democrat<\/p>\n

Challenger<\/p>\n

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

\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t Cynthia Castro <\/a>
\n\t\t\t\tCynthia Castro works in insurance litigation defending national insurance companies.<\/p>\n

Bexar County Clerk race<\/p>\n

Democrat<\/p>\n

Challenger<\/p>\n

Republican candidates for Bexar County Clerk<\/p>\n

None<\/p>\n

2026 Bexar County Pct. 2 Commissioner race<\/p>\n

Bexar County Commissioner Justin Rodriguez (Pct. 2), a Democrat, doesn\u2019t face a primary opponent this year. He\u2019ll face one Republican challenger, David Sherwood Hill, who is also running unopposed for his party\u2019s nomination, in November.<\/p>\n

Democratic candidate for Bexar County Pct. 2 Commissioner<\/p>\n

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

\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t Justin Rodriguez <\/a>
\n\t\t\t\tJustin Rodriguez is an attorney who has served on the Commissioners Court since 2019.<\/p>\n

Bexar County Commissioner Pct. 2 race<\/p>\n

Democrat<\/p>\n

Incumbent<\/p>\n

Republican candidate for Bexar County Pct. 2 Commissioner<\/p>\n

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

\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t David Sherwood Hill <\/a>
\n\t\t\t\tDavid Sherwood Hill is an Air Force veteran who owns his own artificial intelligence company.<\/p>\n

Bexar County Commissioner Pct. 2 race<\/p>\n

Republican<\/p>\n

Challenger<\/p>\n

2026 Bexar County Pct. 5 Commissioner race<\/p>\n

Bexar County Commissioner Tommy Calvert (Pct. 4), a Democrat, doesn\u2019t face a primary opponent this year, and he also did not draw a Republican challenger.<\/p>\n

Democratic candidate for Bexar County Pct. 4 Commissioner<\/p>\n

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

\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t Tommy Calvert <\/a>
\n\t\t\t\tTommy Calvert is the longest-serving member of the Bexar County Commissioners Court, first elected in 2014. <\/p>\n

Bexar County Commissioner Pct. 4<\/p>\n

Democrat<\/p>\n

Incumbent<\/p>\n

Republican candidates for Bexar County Pct. 4 Commissioner <\/p>\n

None<\/p>\n

2026 Bexar County Party chair races<\/p>\n

The Bexar County Democratic Party and Republican Party of Bexar County each elect their party chairs on the March primary ballot. After years of contentious fights for these positions, both incumbents are running unopposed for a second two-year term in 2026.<\/p>\n

Democratic party chair candidate<\/p>\n

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

\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t Michelle Lowe Solis <\/a>
\n\t\t\t\tMichelle Lowe Solis is a retired Assistant Deputy Under Secretary for the U.S. Air Force.<\/p>\n

Bexar County Democratic Party Chair<\/p>\n

Democrat<\/p>\n

Incumbent<\/p>\n

Republican party chair candidate<\/p>\n

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

\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t Kris Coons <\/a>
\n\t\t\t\tKris Coons is the past president of the Bexar County Republican Women club.<\/p>\n

Republican Party of Bexar County Chair<\/p>\n

Incumbent<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Nearly all of Bexar County\u2019s elected leaders will be on the ballot in 2026, including big races for…\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":438381,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[5133],"tags":[178235,189052,17032,5229,202633,202634,202635,74394,7202,7203,358,3187,7815,67,586,132,5230,68,2969],"class_list":{"0":"post-438380","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-san-antonio","8":"tag-2026-bexar-county-district-attorney-race","9":"tag-2026-bexar-county-judge-race","10":"tag-2026-election","11":"tag-america","12":"tag-bexar-county-clerk","13":"tag-bexar-county-precinct-2","14":"tag-bexar-county-precinct-4","15":"tag-district-clerk","16":"tag-san-antonio","17":"tag-sanantonio","18":"tag-texas","19":"tag-tx","20":"tag-typedaily","21":"tag-united-states","22":"tag-united-states-of-america","23":"tag-unitedstates","24":"tag-unitedstatesofamerica","25":"tag-us","26":"tag-usa"},"share_on_mastodon":{"url":"https:\/\/pubeurope.com\/@us\/115696663003501577","error":""},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/438380","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=438380"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/438380\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/438381"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=438380"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=438380"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=438380"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}