Nirenberg Wins Bexar County Judge Race
The former San Antonio mayor defeated Patrick Von Dohlen by 33 points, bringing a decade of city leadership to a constrained county budget.
By Lily Carter ·
Ron Nirenberg defeated Republican Patrick Von Dohlen by 33 points on Tuesday to become the next Bexar County Judge. The former San Antonio mayor secured the victory in a heavily Democratic county, receiving nearly twice the number of votes as his opponent. He told supporters at an election night party that it is good to be back.
Nirenberg ran for the office after considering a bid for governor. He chose to stay local, citing a continued connection to the San Antonio area code. His path to the general election began in March when he defeated incumbent Peter Sakai by nearly 25 points in the Democratic primary.
The new judge faces a government with less autonomy than the city administration he left behind. Bexar County operates as a statutory arm of the state, meaning its powers are defined by the Texas Constitution and state law. Travis County Judge Andy Brown noted that counties often lack the flexibility to address local needs directly without state approval.
Financial constraints are a central part of Nirenberg's incoming agenda. The county budget is approximately $2.6 billion, which is roughly $1.8 billion less than the city's budget. Commissioners approved a budget this year that was $200 million lower than the previous year, requiring the county to dip $68 million into surplus funds.
Nirenberg plans to create five- and 10-year financial plans before considering tax increases. He aims to improve government efficiency and eliminate duplicated work between city and county departments. He also wants to activate a criminal justice coordinating committee to address jail overcrowding and case backlogs.
His priorities include public safety, mental health, and infrastructure. He supports a diversion pilot for individuals with behavioral health issues and wants to ensure new developments have proper street and sewer infrastructure before residents move in. The county is already committed to large capital projects, including $311 million for a new Spurs arena and $193 million for the Frost Bank Center.
