Runoff candidate Jane Davis, center, joins four losing DA candidates for a Thursday press conference in front of Bexar County Courthouse. Credit: Mckinley Thompson

Criminal defense attorney and online personality Shannon Locke, who finished third in the Democratic primary for Bexar County District Attorney, told the Current he’s not yet ready to made in endorsement in the runoff between Jane Davis and Luz Elena Chapa.

“Both campaigns have reached out, and I am going to be conducting more in-depth interviews over the coming days,” said Locke, who landed 14% of the vote.

Locke spoke to the Current after Davis, who won 18% of Tuesday’s vote, earned the endorsements of four losing candidates: Meli Powers, Jim Betkhe, Veronica Legaretta and Oscar Salinas. Combined, the quartet garnered 36% of the vote.

In deep blue Bexar County, the winner of the Democratic primary may well determine who powers through the November election.

During a Thursday press conference announcing the endorsements, Davis attacked Chapa for her lack of prosecutorial experience.

“My opponent has never tried a criminal defense case, she has zero experience, and she’s never worked in a DA’s office,” Davis said. “She has no idea how [to do the job.]”

Davis currently runs the DA’s Juvenile Section and has more than 40 years of experience as a prosecutor. She recently told the Express-News editorial board she’s “done every job in the DA’s office except being the DA.”

Meanwhile, Chapa served as a justice on the San Antonio-based Fourth Court of Appeals from 2013 to 2025 before she was ousted by Republican Lori Brissette. The loss to Brissette marked the first time Chapa faced an election opponent since becoming a judge.

During the primary, Chapa used the title “judge” in mailers and on the campaign trail, despite Texas Election Commission rules that prohibit candidates from misleading the public about their current role. During a Feb. 3 debate, Lagaretta accused Chapa of “committing a Class A misdemeanor” onstage by identifying herself as a judge.

What’s more, Chapa’s support from the San Antonio Police Officers’ Association (SAPOA) and Deputy Sheriffs’ Association of Bexar County (DSABC) and her past comments about “working better with law enforcement” have raised eyebrows among the party’s progressive wing.

The runoff between Davis and Chapa will take place May 23.

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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,...