Local Races
Bexar County and congressional district races covering San Antonio. Not all races appear on every ballot — check your personalized sample ballot for your exact races. Democrats on the left, Republicans on the right.
Bexar County Judge
The county judge serves as the chief executive and presiding officer of the Bexar County Commissioners Court, overseeing the county budget (over $2 billion), emergency management, and county operations. This is the most powerful local office in the county. Term: 4 years.
Democratic Primary (2 candidates)
Peter Sakai
Incumbent Bexar County Judge since 2022. Former state district judge who served on the bench for over 20 years, primarily in family law. Known for children's court innovations.
Key Positions
- •County jail reform and oversight
- •Flood infrastructure investment
- •Mental health services expansion
- •Transparent county budgeting
Ron Nirenberg
Former two-term Mayor of San Antonio (2017-2023). During his tenure he oversaw major infrastructure projects, managed the city's COVID-19 response, and led economic development initiatives.
Key Positions
- •Regional transportation improvements
- •Economic development and job creation
- •Project Marvel (Spurs arena) oversight
- •County infrastructure modernization
Republican Primary (1 candidate)
Patrick Von Dohlen
Running unopposed in the Republican primary. Has run three times for San Antonio City Council District 9. Leads the San Antonio Family Association, a conservative nonprofit.
Key Positions
- •Conservative fiscal management
- •Law enforcement support
- •Opposition to county tax increases
Bexar County District Attorney
The district attorney is the chief prosecutor for Bexar County, responsible for trying felony criminal cases, managing a staff of over 200 prosecutors, and setting prosecution priorities. Retiring DA Joe Gonzales is not seeking re-election, making this an open seat with a crowded field. Term: 4 years.
Democratic Primary (7 candidates)
Meli Carrion Powers
Prosecutor with more than two decades of experience. Currently serves as chief of the Family Violence Division at the Bexar County Criminal District Attorney's Office.
Key Positions
- •Family violence prosecution
- •Victim advocacy
- •Experienced criminal prosecution
Luz Elena Chapa
Former Fourth Court of Appeals justice. Worked as a visiting judge after losing her appellate seat in 2024. Has raised significant campaign funds.
Key Positions
- •Judicial experience and appellate knowledge
- •Justice system reform
- •Community engagement
Jane Davis
Chief of the juvenile section of the Bexar County District Attorney's Office. Has served as a prosecutor in Bexar County for 28 years, the longest tenure among the candidates.
Key Positions
- •Juvenile justice
- •Long-term prosecution experience
- •Youth diversion programs
Veronica Legarreta
Former prosecutor with the Bexar County District Attorney's Office and criminal defense attorney. Brings both prosecution and defense perspectives.
Key Positions
- •Balanced prosecution approach
- •Criminal defense perspective
- •Justice system reform
Meredith Chacon
Attorney with more than 22 years of courtroom experience as both a prosecutor and defense attorney. Served 15 years in the Bexar County DA's office; now in private practice.
Key Positions
- •Reduce case backlogs in the DA's office
- •Restore professionalism and staff morale
- •Victim-first approach to prosecution
James "Jim" Bethke
Director of Bexar County's Managed Assigned Counsel Office. Background in public defense administration.
Key Positions
- •Public defense reform
- •Criminal justice efficiency
- •Indigent defense
Oscar Salinas
Brownsville native who has served as a prosecutor in Bexar County for more than a decade.
Key Positions
- •Prosecution experience
- •Community-based approaches
Republican Primary (1 candidate)
Ashley Foster
Spent more than a decade with the DA's office as a felony prosecutor. Running unopposed in the Republican primary.
Key Positions
- •Felony prosecution experience
- •Tough-on-crime approach
- •Law enforcement collaboration
Bexar County Clerk
The county clerk manages official county records including property records, vital statistics, and court filings. No Republicans filed for this race. Term: 4 years.
Democratic Primary (3 candidates)
Lucy Adame-Clark
Incumbent Bexar County Clerk since 2019. Has modernized records access and expanded public services through initiatives such as the mobile 'Records on the Run' program.
Key Positions
- •Continued modernization of county records
- •Expanded public access to services
- •Mobile records programs
Cynthia Castro
Senior Litigation Manager for a Fortune 100 insurance and financial services company, with 22 years of legal and business experience in civil litigation. Holds a business degree from University of the Incarnate Word.
Key Positions
- •Modernize public records access and online transparency
- •Operational efficiency and risk management
- •Direct community service presence in the office
Mari Sanchez Belew
U.S. Army captain (National Guard), budget and finance analyst at Bacik Group, and former USAA Business Risk and Controls Advisor. Holds an MBA and cybersecurity certifications.
Key Positions
- •Protect county records with cybersecurity expertise
- •Trauma-aware service for victims and families
- •Support for veterans and mental health court filings
- •Modernize office processes for speed and accuracy
Republican Primary (0 candidates)
No Republican candidates filed for this race.
U.S. House of Representatives
Multiple congressional districts overlap Bexar County. Your specific district depends on your address. U.S. Representatives serve 2-year terms and handle federal legislation, constituent services, and oversight.
Texas 20th Congressional District
Democratic Primary
Joaquin Castro
TX-20
Seven-term U.S. Representative from San Antonio seeking an eighth term. Twin brother of Julian Castro (former HUD Secretary). Serves on the House Intelligence and Foreign Affairs committees.
Key Positions
- •Immigration reform
- •Education investment
- •Foreign policy
- •Housing affordability
Kendra Wilkerson
TX-20
Teacher with a background in sales and marketing. Previously ran in San Antonio's 2025 municipal election.
Key Positions
- •Education reform
- •Community development
John Atwood
TX-20
Attorney, university professor, and business owner. Holds a law degree from George Mason University (Antonin Scalia Law School). Previously ran an unsuccessful campaign for San Antonio mayor in 2025.
Key Positions
- •Economic growth and fiscal accountability
- •Public safety
- •Small business support
Republican Primary
No Republican candidates filed.
Texas 23rd Congressional District
Democratic Primary
Santos Limon
TX-23
Civil engineer, international infrastructure consultant, and small business owner from Del Rio. Ran against Gonzales in the 2024 general election, winning 58.5% in the Democratic primary that year. Leads Democratic candidates in fundraising.
Key Positions
- •High-speed rail connecting San Antonio and El Paso
- •Protect Social Security and Medicare
- •Create federal immigration judge positions for faster case adjudication
- •Renewable energy expansion and apprenticeship programs
Gretel Marysdatter Enck
TX-23
Spent 25 years with the National Park Service working across landscapes from Alaska to Death Valley, plus two years in the Peace Corps. Holds a Master's in Environmental Policy from the University of Denver. Lives in Marfa, Texas.
Key Positions
- •Medicare for All and universal healthcare
- •Social Security expansion and minimum wage increases
- •Citizenship for DACA recipients and ICE reform
- •Renewable energy tax incentives
Katy Padilla Stout
TX-23
San Antonio native, attorney practicing foster care representation in Carrizo Springs, and former elementary school teacher at Northside ISD. Bexar County Child Welfare Board member since 2017.
Key Positions
- •Affordability for working families and expanded Pre-K
- •Strengthen and expand ACA; increase community health clinic funding
- •Fair tax code and paid parental leave
- •Reasonable immigration pathways to citizenship
Bruce Richardson
TX-23
Accountant and financial analyst with 30 years of experience. Lives in Alpine, Texas. Holds an MBA in Accounting from UT Dallas. Served as a 2020 Census enumerator conducting interviews in English, Mandarin, and Spanish across rural West Texas.
Key Positions
- •Eliminate FICA wage cap to fully fund Social Security
- •Make Medicare available to all with income-based subsidies
- •Congressional hearings on price gouging by private equity
- •Expand House representation and congressional term limits
Republican Primary
Tony Gonzales
TX-23
Incumbent U.S. Representative for Texas' 23rd Congressional District. Twenty-year Navy veteran who serves on the House Appropriations Committee. Currently facing an ethics probe related to allegations of an affair with a staffer.
Key Positions
- •Border security and law enforcement support
- •Military and veterans services
- •Rural broadband
- •Defense spending
Brandon Herrera
TX-23
Social media personality and firearms business owner who operates 'The AK Guy' manufacturing company and a popular YouTube channel. Lost to Gonzales in the 2024 Republican runoff by just 407 votes. This is a rematch.
Key Positions
- •Strong Second Amendment advocacy
- •Physical and legal border barriers
- •Federal spending cuts
- •Healthcare reform and housing affordability
Keith Barton
TX-23
Retired Marine Corps combat veteran and former aviator. Currently works as a logistics manager at Texas First Rentals in San Antonio. Campaigns as a practical operator, not a career politician.
Key Positions
- •Layered border defense with community investment
- •Accelerated legal immigration processing
- •Energy independence and domestic energy development
- •Fiscal responsibility and vocational training
Francisco "Quico" Canseco
TX-23
Attorney, businessman, and former U.S. Representative who previously held this same TX-23 seat from 2011 to 2013. Self-described 'MAGA Republican' with a background in banking, real estate, and constitutional law.
Key Positions
- •Restore 'Remain in Mexico' policy and defund sanctuary cities
- •Support law enforcement and combat human trafficking
- •Energy independence and reduced regulations
- •Election safeguards and VA reform
Note: Bexar County is covered by several congressional districts including TX-20, TX-21, TX-23, TX-28, and TX-35. Your ballot will show only the candidates for your specific district. Check your sample ballot or use the Texas Who Represents Me tool to find your district.
Additional Local Races: Your primary ballot may also include races for Texas State Senate, Texas State House, Justice of the Peace, Constable, and other local positions. Visit the Bexar County Elections Department for the complete list of races in your precinct.