BEXAR COUNTY, Texas – Read the latest election and political headlines Vote for page 2024.

Incumbent Democrat Javier Salazar is running for his third term as Bexar County sheriff but faces opposition from a Republican challenger who boasts the support of Gov. Greg Abbott.

Salazar formally sought re-election in July 2023.

“I felt like I could make the best impact on my community, not just my community, but this county (and) this state, by staying here for four more years as sheriff of Bexar County,” he said. July ceremony.

On the opposite side of the race is Abbott-backed Nathan Buchanan, a former Bexar County sheriff’s deputy and Castle Hills police officer.

Buchanan ran unsuccessfully for Bexar County judge in 2022 and constable in 2016 and 2020, respectively.

Buchanan Won the support of the governor of Texas In late September, he said he was “truly grateful” and “honored” by the approval.

In a letter announcing his support for Buchanan, Abbott called out Salazar’s attempt to “score political points.”

Almost a month before the announcement, Salazar drew the ire of some South Texas sheriffs for comments made at the meeting. Democratic National Convention in August. Salazar referred to former President Donald Trump as a “self-serving man” who did not assist Texas law enforcement.

Medina County Sheriff Randy Brown said in a post on a personal Facebook page on Aug. 22 that he “totally” disagreed with Salazar’s comments.

“WE real Texas Sheriffs know the truth and are not being blinded by the Democrats bitches,” the post reads.

Salazar endorses Vice President Kamala Harris and US Senate candidate Colin Allred in their own races.

Appearing on the KSAT Q&A, Salazar touched on Buchanan’s relatively short experience in law enforcement.

During a later KSAT Q&A, Buchanan said this was “not true” and cited having served as a Texas peace officer since 2008 and his experience as a small business owner as part of his qualifications.

Buchanan bested two rivals with a combined 64 years of law enforcement experience in March’s Republican primary, winning 55% of the vote and avoiding a runoff.

Both opponents served in the Bexar County Sheriff’s Office.

Salazar, meanwhile, overwhelmingly outperformed challenger Sharon Rodriguez by nearly 42% in March’s Democratic primary. Rodriguez worked for BCSO and the Hollywood Park Police Department.

Both candidates will take on an agency Take advantage of Bexar County’s $2.8 billion budget.

Buchanan’s priorities

Buchanan cited property and violent crime as a pressing concern in an interview with the San Antonio Report.

Bexar County in September Murder rate has increased over the last two yearsAccording to BCSO. There will be 15 murders in 2024, an increase from 2023 and 2022, Salazar told reporters at a press conference.

Buchanan said that as sheriff he would “assess the need for the units currently available” and ensure BCSO’s patrol division is adequately staffed to provide maximum protection against criminal opportunities.

One of the issues both candidates discussed in KSAT Q&A sessions was the presence of the Venezuelan gang Tren De Aragua (TDA) in San Antonio.

Buchanan noted the more “boots on the ground” approach when discussing TDA.

“I want to dismantle a lot of these specialized units that he has so we can get more deputies out on the streets,” Buchanan said.

Another issue Buchanan said needs clarification is staffing and turnover at both BCSO and the Bexar County Jail. He cited high turnover and morale problems among prison staff as priorities.

To fix the problem, Buchanan said he plans to “invert the pyramid” so that ranking staff’s suggestions for jail improvements are addressed by administrators, starting with the sheriff:

Buchanan also said he would address overtime pay and evaluate the application process for potential sheriff’s office deputies.

On the issue of prison overcrowding, Buchanan expressed interest in alternative measures to incarceration, particularly conversion programs and recidivism through community reentry.

“I want to take a closer look at Restorative Justice Alternatives for first offenders charged with non-violent crimes,” he told the San Antonio Report.

What happened in prison during the summer Backlogs and delays in the release of prisoners due to the installation of a new computer system.

He also touched on the issue of incarcerating mentally ill inmates, even calling for Bexar County to pay other facilities to house inmates.

“The county is paying a small fortune to other detention facilities to hold inmates in Bexar County, and this needs to end. Bexar County is responsible for the care and incarceration of inmates,” he said.

Salazar calls the application “new normalBut he was unsure when asked whether the county would support building a new jail, and Buchanan suggested he would as sheriff.

“I’m more in favor of making better use of the space we have,” Salazar said.

Salazar’s priorities

In an interview with the San Antonio Report, Salazar states that domestic violence is the number one problem, followed by gun/drug crimes and violent crimes.

Salazar touted BCSO’s Special Victims Unit, which was established to investigate domestic violence cases. A. navigation helpline It was also established to connect those affected by domestic violence with resources.

When asked how he will deal with overcrowding and the growing number of mentally ill inmates, Salazar points to advocacy.

“While I cannot force the state to build more mental health or rehabilitation beds, I consistently advocate for more,” he told the San Antonio Report.

Salazar goes on to state that “systemic failures” outside the prison have resulted in some inmates being housed in facilities in other counties to prevent overcrowding.

Due to capacity issues earlier this year, BCSO began housing approximately 120 to 150 inmates at a time between jails in Burnet and Kerr counties. While Salazar said this is the first time BCSO has housed inmates under its management, the agency said it has happened before.

Another issue on which Salazar has been vocal is immigration. In June 2022, Salazar wrote a letter to President Joe Biden calling for more resources to address the problem. immigrant truck-trailer tragedyIt took 53 lives.

letter He goes on to criticize Abbott’s portrayal of the humanitarian crisis as “some sort of enemy invasion.”

early voting It started on October 21st and will continue until November 1st. Election Day is Tuesday, November 5.

The San Antonio Report contributed to this reporting.

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