‘Ground game’ key in county judge race

Wolff says Dems have two great options in the runoff

A former state representative who helped save Bexar County millions or a former district judge known for his work with children, families and victims of domestic abuse — County Judge Nelson Wolff says Democrats have two great candidates from which to select his potential successor.

Peter Sakai and Ina Minjarez finished the March 1 primary with 40.6 percent and 30.8 percent of the votes, respectively. They’re headed for a runoff election May 24 after beating out Ivalis Meza Gonzalez, the former chief of staff to Mayor Ron Nirenberg who received 18.9 percent of the ballots, and Gerardo Ponce, a consultant and former court coordinator who received 9.7 percent.

After just two months to decide among the four candidates and 11 days of early polling, Democratic voters have another 2 ½ months to study the pair — but there only are five days of early voting, May 16-20, before a winner is decided May 24.

“The candidate that’s the best organized, has the best ground game, whoever some of these politically active groups decide to endorse whichever way — that’ll make a difference in the runoff,” Wolff said.

The Democratic incumbent’s term ends Dec. 31, and he did not seek re-election after serving as county judge since 2001.

Wolff said he won’t support a specific candidate in the runoff, but he didn’t rule out the possibility of an endorsement in the fall. The winner will face former County Commissioner Trish DeBerry, a Republican who won a two-person primary race, in the Nov. 8 general election.

“They have different strengths,” Wolff said. “Ina brings a broader perspective from the state level, and she was always our champion on issues that we had. She fought hard for us (against) the way they screwed up elections, trying to stop it,” Wolff said.

“Sakai’s been a tremendous judge with respect to children’s court and done a tremendous amount of work there; well respected and really understands how the judiciary works. So each of them has their strengths.”

Ponce, who spent the least campaigning among the four Democrats, is endorsing Sakai, whom he’s known for about 30 years. Ponce said he appreciates Sakai’s “level-headed” approaches.

“Peter’s a real laid-back, real good guy,” Ponce said.

Gonzalez has not indicated whether she’ll make an endorsement. Nirenberg, who endorsed

Ina Minjarez will face Peter Sakai in the Democratic runoff election on May 24.