ELECTION RESULTS: Bexar County Judge race between Ron Nirenberg, Patrick Von Dohlen, Nov. 3, 2026, midterms

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The previous San Antonio mayor is running for Bexar County judge against a man who says he’s running to block him.

Ron Nirenberg resoundingly beat sitting Bexar County Judge Peter Sakai in the Democratic primary. Now, he’s facing Patrick Von Dohlen, the only Republican to enter the race, in the Nov. 3 election.

Forced out by term limits in 2025 after eight years at the head of city government, Nirenberg said there’s “work needed here in Bexar County.”

“Obviously we live in a difficult environment with respect to the politics of the state and the federal level. Hopefully those things will change but there is no substitute for strong local leadership,” he said.

Von Dohlen, a financial advisor and conservative activist, ran unsuccessfully three times for the District 9 seat on the San Antonio City Council. But he says Nireberg was at the heart of his decision to run for county judge.

“Because of what he has done in the City of San Antonio, somebody had to stop him,” Von Dohlen said. “I’m the right guy for the job.”

Pointing to growth of the city’s budget and debt under Nirenberg, Von Dohlen says higher utility rates and the current council’s passage of a tax increase are “a result of those policies.” He also claimed Nirenberg’s track record “led to negative results for everyone living in San Antonio.”

Responding through his campaign to some of Von Dohlen’s specific comments about his record, Nirenberg said the statements “are just not true.”

“The reason Patrick has been rejected by voters every time he’s appeared on a ballot is because he can’t tell the truth, and people see right through it. Nothing has changed,” Nirenberg said.

Bexar County is facing its own budget crunch. Though it didn’t raise taxes like the City of San Antonio, the county did dip into its reserves to pass its latest spending plan.

Von Dohlen said the primary objective is “getting back to basics.”

“We just have to make sure that we are paying core services, and doing it efficiently, and making sure we’re taking care of emergency services, the deputies, and fixing the jail crisis,” he said.

Nirenberg said wasted money on duplicate services between the county and cities, like animal care services and public health, needs to be addressed.

Read more: Nirenberg and Von Dohlen face off for Bexar County Judge

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