Whoever comes out on top in the primary becomes the de facto frontrunner to win the position ahead of November.
SAN ANTONIO — What Bexar County Judge Peter Sakai may have once thought would be a smooth transition into his second term has become a closely watched race after Ron Nirenberg announced he would challenge the incumbent just months after leaving San Antonio’s mayoral seat.
One of the two Democrats will win their party’s nomination Tuesday night to cap a primary battle that has featured them, and only them. The winner will go on to face longtime financial advisor and lone Republican candidate Patrick Von Dohlen in November, becoming the de facto frontrunner to win the seat (or stay in it) in heavily blue Bexar County.
Sakai has been in office since 2023, when he won office for the first time, and has emphasized a back-to-basics government approach in his bid to win voters’ support once again. He has touted “strong, steady effective leadership” and said he views his role as a form of servant leadership.
Nirenberg, who entered the race in November after months of speculation about his political future after serving as San Antonio mayor for eight years, is hoping to ride his name recognition and mayoral experience into a primary victory. At a February debate hosted by the Greater San Antonio Chamber, San Antonio Report and Tech Bloc, Nirenberg argued the county needs more proactive leadership.
“As I did as mayor, we will be proactive; we will get the work done and we will move this community forward collaboratively, working together,” Nirenberg said at the Feb. 10 showdown.
One of the most tense moments of the night centered on Project Marvel, the sports and entertainment development that will move the Spurs downtown.
Sakai, despite previously expressing public support for Propositions A and B back in November, said at the debate that he is concerned east-side residents have not been promised enough in return for when the Spurs move downtown.
“I separate from Project Marvel, a city of San Antonio project, unless we get the details—and that’s what’s still lacking at this time,” Sakai said.
Nirenberg said community input will be critical.
“The community needs to be at the table to develop the plans for what happens to the revitalization outside,” he said, referencing ongoing efforts led by Commissioner Tommy Calvert.
Both have also secured key endorsements ahead of Election Day: Nirenberg won the support of Nelson Wolff, who served as Bexar County judge for two decades, while Sakai has the backing of the unions representing San Antonio police, San Antonio firefighters and Bexar County sheriff’s deputies.
Nirenberg outraised Sakai by more than double in the most recent campaign finance period, reporting nearly $167,000 in contributions from Jan. 23 to Feb. 21 compared to about $76,000 from Jan. 31 to Feb. 21 for Sakai, according to campaign filings. But Sakai’s campaign reported having about $25,000 more on hand after the start of early voting.
For more coverage and results of the 2026 Texas Primaries, visit kens5.com/elections.