After a tally of early votes, former San Antonio Mayor Ron Nirenberg announced a speedy victory over incumbent Bexar County Judge Peter Sakai in the Democratic primary with a 24-point lead.
The mood was upbeat at Sakai’s watch party inside the festively painted La Fonda Alamo Heights until the first results began rolled in and TV screens showed Nirenberg ahead, 62%-38%. A hush gripped the room as supporters took in the numbers. While some continued to hobnob, the mood grew solemn.
Meanwhile, the crowd at Nirenberg’s party at the Backyard on Broadway was jubilant. The thumping sound system switched off for Nirenberg to the stage and declare victory, saying his win showed voters’ commitment to repair a troubled justice system, remedy the area’s housing shortage and fight for more equitable healthcare.
“Solving the problems of a local community is critical to restoring our democracy,” Nirenberg told the Current following his speech. “That’s work I know how to do. That’s the work I’m passionate about, as I was mayor of this city. We’ve got problems to solve. That’s why I decided to run for county judge.”
Nirenberg’s primary win makes him the likely victor in November’s general election. Democrats have long held the county’s top elected seat, and this year’s sole Republican candidate, Patrick Von Dohlen, is a conservative activist unlikely to draw significant financial backing or gain traction with mainstream voters.
Sakai briefly addressed supporters at his watch party, telling them he wasn’t yet ready to concede, the Express-News reports. Even so, he added that whatever the final results, “I will respect the voters and the decisions they made today.”
“I respect Peter,” Nirenberg said of his primary opponent. “He’s a decent and honorable man, but we need effectiveness from our public leaders, or we’re going to cede ground to people who want to burn it all down — and I’m speaking specifically about the extremists in the Republican Party who are in control of this state and this country right now.”
While Sakai is beloved in the community for his earlier work as a district court judge overseeing child-abuse cases, he struggled against the name recognition Nirenberg built during four terms as mayor, political observers said.
What’s more, voters were unable to tie Sakai to a high-profile profile or accomplishment he nailed down during his one term presiding over Bexar County Commissioners Court. Instead, he used his campaign mailers and billboards to tout his ability to deliver a balanced budget — something he’s required to do under state law.
“Sakai hasn’t done anything splashy he can point to,” UT-San Antonio political scientist Jon Taylor said. “He hasn’t done anything tangible — for lack of a better word — that voters could really latch onto.”
In comments at his watch party, Nirenberg expressed frustration that Commissioners Court hadn’t yet passed a resolution to hold U.S. Immigration Customs and Enforcement to federal processes and environmental standards as it vies to open a massive immigrant detention center on the economically disadvantaged East Side. That efforts can’t wait until he takes office November, Nirenberg said, adding he wants the county to explore all options now.
“If I was there today, I’d recognize that ICE is buying property all across the country to create detention centers, and they’re looking for the path of least resistance,” he said. “So with the [state] government here in Texas, it’s clearly a ripe opportunity. We don’t need to be doing any favors to [President Donald] Trump and [Gov. Greg] Abbott to accelerate detention space in San Antonio.”
As a former mayor, Nirenberg also said his deep roots with San Antonio staff and council members, along with his prior experience navigating municipal government, will help him hit the ground running with Commissioners Court.
“Relationships are the foundation of good government, because it’s through collaboration that we get anything done,” he said.
Sign Up for SA Current newsletters.
Follow us: Apple News | Google News | NewsBreak | Reddit | Instagram | Facebook | Twitter | Or sign up for our RSS Feed
