Luz Elena Chapa hugs a supporter at her watch party on Tuesday. Credit: Michael Karlis

Bexar County District Attorney candidate Luz Elena Chapa is moving on to the general election after narrowly defeating Jane Davis in Tuesday’s Democratic runoff.

Chapa’s 51%-49% victory comes after she trailed Davis by more than 1,000 votes in early tabulation. However, Chapa chipped away at Davis’ lead as the night unfolded.

Chapa’s campaign credited high Election Day turnout in Northwest San Antonio, an area volunteers spent a significant amount of time knocking on doors and canvassing over recent months.

“The deciding factor in this race is that our community wants change in the DA’s office,” Chapa told the Current after her win.

A former 4th Court of Appeals Judge for 12 years, Chapa’s victory comes after securing eyebrow raising endorsements from the powerful San Antonio Police Officers Association (SAPOA) and the Deputy Sheriff’s Association of Bexar County (DSABC).

Those endorsements, as well as Chapa’s decision to hire political consultant Kelton Morgan — who’s known for working with Republican candidates — to help run her campaign led to concerns that she might dismantle progressive policies implemented by retiring DA Joe Gonzales.

Indeed, Chapa has been light on details about her plans should she win in November’s general election.

“I don’t have an agenda, and that’s where I think we’ve failed Bexar County residents,” Chapa said. “When you have a political agenda and you’re not mission-driven and victim-centered, then you loose sight of what’s important and why that office exists in the first place. I will make policies based on data.”

During the campaign, runoff rival Davis, a longtime fixture in the DA’s office, called out Chapa’s lack of experience trying criminal cases. Davis also raised concerns about the influence the city’s powerful police union, Morgan and special interests might have on her opponent.

“All of those people would have influence over someone without experience leading the DA’s office,” Davis told the Current at her watch party.

Jane Davis (center) speaks to supporter and former DA candidate Shannon Locke (left) and political consultant Laura Barberena (right) at the candidate's watch party.
Jane Davis (center) speaks to supporter and former DA candidate Shannon Locke (left) and political consultant Laura Barberena (right) at the candidate’s watch party. Credit: Sanford Nowlin

Despite political attacks from Austin and from outgoing Police Chief Bill McManus, crime under Gonzales’ tenure declined 13% over the past year, according to data from the National Incident-Based Reporting System. Specifically, property crime dropped by 18% and homicides by 17%.

Chapa’s victory is also surprising considering she has no prior prosecutorial experience — something that led the Express-News Editorial Board to call her “Bexar County’s worst DA candidate.” However, Chapa told the Current that lack of experience doesn’t matter, pointing to former Bexar County DA Sam Millsap, who served in the role in the ’80s.

“Former District Attorney Millsap was a great DA, and he had no criminal law experience,” Chapa said. “I’m a strong leader, and we’re going to get talent back in the office and keep the talent that currently exists. We’re going to make sure that we’re fully staffed and fully funded on day one.”

Chapa will take on Republican Ashley Foster in November.

Jason Wolff, a criminal defense attorney and nephew of former Bexar County Judge Nelson Wolff, could also be on the November ballot as an independent, assuming he manages to secure 500 signatures from people who didn’t vote in the March 2026 primary.

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Michael Karlis is a multimedia journalist at the San Antonio Current, whose coverage in print and on social media focuses on local and state politics. He is a graduate of American University in Washington,...