By Edmond Ortiz
A contest between San Antonio’s previous mayor and the current Bexar County judge is among the San Antonio-area county races that are featured in local Democratic and Republican primaries, which are set for March 3.
More than 12,000 Bexar County voters participated in the first day of early voting, Feb. 17, ahead of the party primaries, which will decide who will run in the Nov. 3 midterm general elections.
Here is a glance at key primaries taking place in Bexar, Comal, Guadalupe and Kendall counties:
BEXAR COUNTY
Some local political observers expressed surprise when Ron Nirenberg, who last year completed an eight-year run as San Antonio’s mayor, filed to challenge fellow Democrat Peter Sakai’s bid for a second term as Bexar County judge.
Nirenberg’s campaign emphasizes being proactive and building partnerships to bolster Bexar County’s justice system, public safety, affordable housing, economic development, healthcare access, transportation, road infrastructure, as well as protecting natural resources, and ensuring free, fair elections.
Sakai is focusing his re-election campaign on job creation, reducing housing insecurity, more diversion programs for non-violent offenders, helping at-risk individuals and families, widening access to mental healthcare, ensuring free, fair elections, and protecting community members in the face of the Trump administration’s crackdown on illegal immigration.
The Democratic primary winner for Bexar County judge will meet Republican Patrick Von Dohlen, a past San Antonio City Council contestant, in the Nov. 3 general election.
Eight Democrats are vying to succeed outgoing Bexar County District Attorney Joe Gonzales, who announced last June that he would not seek a third term.
The candidates are: James “Jim” Bethke, director of the county’s managed assigned counsel office: Meli Carrion Powers, Gonzales’ current family violence division chief; trial lawyer Meredith Chacon; Luz Elena Chapa, former Fourth Court of Appeals judge; Jane Davis, Gonzales’ juvenile division chief; Veronica Legarreta, a former prosecutor, current criminal defense attorney and a magistrate judge; criminal defense attorney Shannon Locke; and prosecutor Oscar Salinas.
The Democratic primary victor will face Republican Ashley Foster, a former assistant district attorney, in November.
Pct. 2 County Commissioner Justin Rodriguez is running unopposed in the Democratic primary. He will advance to the general election where he is expected to face a challenge from Republican David Sherwood Hill, a U.S. Air Force veteran and entrepreneur.
COMAL COUNTY
Local residents are mourning the loss of County Judge Sherman Krause, who died Feb. 7 at age 62. Having served as Comal County’s top elected leader since 2011, Krause had announced last December his intent to retire.
Three Republicans filed for the county judge primary – firefighter Kayne Parrish, Kristen Hoyt, who resigned as county tax assessor-collector to seek the county judge post, and Deb Hindman, who later withdrew from the contest, but her name remains on the ballot.
Pct. 2 Commissioner Scott Haag declined to run for a fifth term, leaving a wide open Republican primary that has three contestants: business consultant John Stratemann; Steve Minus, who is serving a second term on the New Braunfels ISD board; and Steven Rollins, a property manager and U.S. Navy veteran.
No Democrats are running for either Comal County judge or Precinct 2 commissioner.
GUADALUPE COUNTY
Kyle Kutscher declined to seek a fourth term as Guadalupe County judge. Michael Carpenter, a former Pct. 3 county commissioner and former Schertz mayor, was the lone Republican to file for county judge. With no Democrats seeking the post, Carpenter is on track to formally succeed Kutscher next year.
Commissioners Court last December appointed a former Pct. 3 county commissioner, Jim Wolverton, to replace Carpenter in the same role when Carpenter announced his intent to run for county judge.
Wolverton filed for the GOP primary to finish Carpenter’s unexpired term. He will face Allison Heyward, who departed her position as Schertz Place 6 City Council member to seek the Precinct 3 commissioner’s seat. The city of Schertz will hold a special April 4 election to fill the remainder of Heyward’s term, which ends in November 2027.
Seguin resident Stephen Germann is seeking re-election as Precinct 4 commissioner, but he is facing two Republican primary challengers – former Cibolo Mayor Mark Allen and former Cibolo City Councilmember Joel Hicks. No Democrats filed for either county commissioner’s post.
KENDALL COUNTY
Kendall County Judge Shane Stolarczyk filed for a second term, but he is facing a challenge in the GOP primary from rancher and attorney Besa Martin, and Ricky Gleason, a financial advisor and former Boerne Planning and Zoning Commission member.
Pct. 2 Commissioner Andra Wisian is seeking a second term, but is being challenged in the Republican primary by former county commissioner Richard Elkins, and J.C. Taylor, a businessman and member of the Fair Oaks Ranch Zoning Board of Adjustment.
Pct. 4 Commissioner Chad Carpenter is running for re-election in the GOP primary alongside Brett D’Spain. No Democrats are running for any of these positions.
EARLY VOTING DETAILS
Bexar County polling sites are available for early voting 8 a.m.-6 p.m. Feb. 17-20, and 7 a.m.-7 p.m. Feb. 21 and 23-27, and noon-6 p.m. Feb. 22 at the locations found at this link.
Guadalupe County polling sites are open for early voting 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Feb. 17-20, and 7 a.m.-7 p.m. Feb. 21 and 23-27, and noon-6 p.m. Feb. 22 at five locations.
Early voting in Comal County is taking place 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Feb. 17-20, and 7 a.m.-7 p.m. Feb. 21 and 23-27, and noon-6 p.m. Feb. 22 at these five locations.
Garden Ridge City Hall, 9400 Municipal Pkwy., is open to early voters 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Feb. 17-20; and 7 a.m.-7 p.m. Feb. 21, 23-25 and 27; and 7 a.m.-3 p.m. Feb. 26; and noon-6 p.m. Feb. 22.
The Kendall County Courthouse Annex, 221 Fawn Valley Drive in Boerne, is Kendall County’s lone early voting station. Polling here is available 8 a.m.-6 p.m. Feb. 17-20, and 7 a.m.-7 p.m. Feb. 21 and 23-27, and 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Feb. 22.
