One question asked to candidates included how they would handle issues like staff shortages, case backlogs and crimes by repeat offenders.
SAN ANTONIO — With the March 3 primary election just one month away, eight Democratic candidates vying for Bexar County district attorney faced off in a debate Tuesday night, outlining their visions for the office and addressing some of the county’s most pressing criminal justice challenges.
The candidates include Oscar Salinas, a prosecutor in the district attorney’s office for 12 years; James Bethke, Director of Bexar County’s Managed Assigned Counsel Program; Jane Davis, who has more than 30 years of experience working in district attorney offices in Bexar and Guadalupe counties; and Shannon Locke, a former prosecutor who has spent the past 20 years as a criminal defense attorney.
Also on stage were Meli Carrion Powers, Chief of the DA’s family violence division; Meredith Chacon, an attorney who worked as a prosecutor in the DA’s office for 15 years; Veronica Legarreta, a criminal and civil defense attorney and former prosecutor; and Luz Elena Chapa, who previously served on the 4th Court of Appeals.
Candidates were asked how they would address staff shortages, mounting case backlogs and crimes committed by repeat offenders — and how they would prioritize those challenges.
“We have huge dockets for judges who just cannot handle it, not because of their own fault, but just because there are so many cases out there,” Legarreta said.
Powers pointed to staffing as the biggest obstacle facing the office. “What I see as the biggest hurdle are the staffing issues,” she said.
Chapa said public safety must be a top concern. “We do have a crisis because we haven’t been tough on crime in our community,” she said. “We need to make serious changes to improve public safety.”
Several candidates emphasized the need for improved communication and transparency within the district attorney’s office.
“When people think that the district attorney’s office doesn’t care about them, they stop calling the police,” Locke said.
“I have no poker face. You will always know that I’m transparent with what I’m telling you and what I will do with my teams,” Chacon said.
Bethke said better communication with law enforcement is essential. “I don’t see how you can effectively run an office when you’re the chief law enforcement officer without effective, meaningful communication with law enforcement,” he said.
Candidates were also asked about high-profile cases that fail to result in convictions.
“We need to make sure that our prosecutors are effectively trained so that they’re properly trying these cases,” Salinas said.
Davis echoed the need for collaboration. “We need to have open communication with law enforcement and work together so that we can bring a case that is ready, that is well prepared,” she said.
On the Republican side, Ashley Foster is currently the only candidate in the race. Foster previously worked as a prosecutor in the Bexar County district attorney’s office.
The full debate is available to watch on the KENS 5 Facebook page.