SAN ANTONIO — Longtime family court judge Peter Sakai defeated Texas Rep. Ina Minjarez for the Democratic nomination in the Bexar County Judge race on Tuesday night.
Sakai secured 58% of the total vote to Minjarez's 42%, having also won most of the early vote.
Sakai now will face Republican nominee Trish DeBerry, herself a former county commissioner, in the November general election. She handily defeated Nathan Buchanan on the Republican ballot in March.
About the race
Sakai and Minjarez were the top two vote-getters in March's primary, but neither could collect at least 50% of the ballot in a crowded Democratic field (Sakai came closest, with 40.7%). Sakai is touting plans for economic development, fortified jobs-training programs, improved educational opportunity and infrastructure. Minjarez's platform focuses on lowering property taxes, safeguarding neighborhoods, combatting low wages and improving trust in local government.
The spotlight on the Bexar County judge race is stronger than it's been in 20 years, and someone new is expected to lead the Commissioners Court for the first time since 2000 after Nelson Wolff retires from the position this year.
KENS 5 spoke with Wolff before the polls closed in March. We asked how Wolff is spending his day and he told us, "It's interesting. For the first time in five elections, I don't have to worry about it, but I'm really fascinated about the races that are going on."
Election Day for the Texas primary runoff is Tuesday, May 24, 2022. Click here for everything you need to know, including a list of polling locations.
