Clay-Flores, DeBerry best among solid court choices
When two-term County Judge Cyndi Taylor Krier didn’t seek re-election in 2000, she became the last woman to serve on Bexar County Commissioners Court. That 20-year absence is about to end. Precinct 3 Commissioner Kevin Wolff ’s decision to not seek a fourth term on the court and the results of last spring’s primaries guarantee his successor will be either Democrat Christine Hortick or Republican
This is a choice between two superb, immensely qualified candidates. Both understand the nuts and bolts of local government, have a wide command of issues and have thought deeply about what they would do if elected.
Our recommendation of DeBerry comes down, frankly, to our wanting to see another kind of diversity on the court: that of party and ideology. Precinct 3 is a traditionally Republican district, and during his tenure, Wolff was the lone Republican on the court.
DeBerry is the CEO and president of the DeBerry Group, a public relations firm. Our decision to not initially endorse her in the primary was because of her firm’s contracts with local government entities and because she did not see a need to let go of those contracts. We did endorse her in the primary runoff against former Judge Tom Rickhoff when, in subsequent interviews, she said that many of those public contracts have expired or will soon expire, and that if elected, she will relinquish a contract connected to the Alamo. DeBerry would bring the needed perspective of a successful businesswoman to the court, as well as a pragmatic conservatism to balance a body dominated by Democrats.
Hortick is an attorney whose law practice has focused on representing children and parents in Bexar County Children’s Court, giving her an intimate look at the many factors that directly and indirectly have negative impacts on families. Her ideas about issues such as bail reform, transportation and better allocation of resources made her, like DeBerry, one of the more impressive candidates we’ve interviewed this year. We have nothing but praise for both candidates, but in elections, voters have to choose one. Our recommendation goes to DeBerry, a model of pragmatic and inclusive conservatism. DeBerry and Hortick are not the only women running for Commissioners Court this year. In Precinct 1, Democrat unseated longtime incumbent Sergio “Chico” Rodriguez in the primary. She now faces Gabriel Lara, a Navy veteran who had a long career with the San Antonio Fire Department and ran unopposed in the Republican primary.
Both are quality candidates interested in improving services for Precinct 1 and who expressed a commitment to open government and responsive leadership.
But this is a traditionally Democratic seat, and Clay-Flores, who is Black and Mexican American, has a stunning personal story and impressive background. She grew up in the inner city, and at one time her family was homeless. Despite this immense challenge, she has soared. She holds an undergraduate degree from Princeton University and a master’s degree in education from Harvard University.
She worked for former Mayor Ivy Taylor and now processes contracts with the city’s Metropolitan Health Department, a job she would quit if elected.
She offers innovative ideas about education, improving mental health services and criminal justice reform. She would be a dynamic voice on the court and would offer a fresh and needed perspective.
Trish DeBerry.
Rebeca “Becky” Clay-Flores
tenacity in the face of gender discrimination and years of dedication as a Supreme Court justice. I find McConnell’s action crass, small-minded and politically motivated. I am appalled!