2026 Democratic Primary Voter Guide

A U.S. Senator is one of two people who represent the entire state of Texas in Washington, D.C. While U.S. Representatives (Congressmen/women) represent specific neighborhoods or districts, Senators represent everyone in the state. Texas has two Senators who serve six-year terms.

The Senate is one of the most powerful groups in the world. They make big decisions that affect your daily life, including:

• Lawmaking: They vote on federal laws regarding taxes, healthcare, immigration, and the military.
• The Courts: They are the ones who “confirm” (approve) Supreme Court justices and federal judges.
• Money: They decide how our federal tax dollars are spent on things like highways, social security, and border security.
• State Voice: They ensure that Texas’ specific interests—like our energy industry or agriculture—are considered when national policies are made.

Note: In Texas, if no candidate gets more than 50% of the vote, the top two will move to a “Runoff” election on May 26, 2026.

Your U.S. Representative (also called a Congressman or Congresswoman) is your direct voice in the “House” in Washington, D.C. While Senators represent the whole state, a Representative only represents your specific part of San Antonio. They serve shorter, two-year terms to keep them closely connected to the people they serve.

The House is often called the “People’s House” because it’s where your local needs meet national policy. They have the power to:

• Start Money Bills: All laws regarding taxes must start in the House.
• Direct Funding: They fight for federal money to go specifically to San Antonio projects, like improving local highways, supporting Lackland or Fort Sam Houston, and funding local healthcare clinics.
• Constituent Services: Their local office helps you personally with federal issues, like a missing Social Security check, VA benefits, or passport delays.

Note: In Texas, if no candidate gets more than 50% of the vote, the top two will move to a “Runoff” election on May 26, 2026.

Note: In Texas, if no candidate gets more than 50% of the vote, the top two will move to a “Runoff” election on May 26, 2026.

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While the name sounds like a “Vice President,” the Lieutenant Governor of Texas is actually the President of the Texas Senate. They aren’t just a backup; they are the “Traffic Controller” for every law that tries to pass through the state government.

The Governor holds significant power over the laws and services that affect your daily life:

• Signing or Vetoing Laws: Every bill passed by the Texas Legislature must go to the Governor’s desk. They can sign it into law or “veto” (reject) it.
• Emergency Powers: The Governor leads the state’s response to disasters, like hurricanes, floods, or public health crises.
• Appointments: They appoint the people who run major state agencies, including the Secretary of State, the Commissioner of Education, and members of boards that oversee everything from transportation to Texas universities.
• Setting the Agenda: At the start of each legislative session, the Governor identifies “emergency items” to fast-track, signaling to lawmakers what the top priorities for the state should be.

The Governor is the Chief Executive of Texas—essentially the “CEO” of the state. They are elected every four years and are responsible for the overall direction of the Texas government.

• Legislative Control: They decide which bills get a vote and which ones “die” in committee. If they don’t like a bill, it almost never becomes law.
• Committee Appointments: They pick which Senators sit on powerful committees (like the ones that handle the state budget or education).
• Tie-Breaker: They cast the deciding vote if the State Senate is split 50/50.

The Attorney General (AG) is the top lawyer for the State of Texas. They lead a massive office of over 4,000 employees who represent the state in legal battles, from local child support cases to massive lawsuits against the federal government.

• The AG’s decisions affect your legal rights and the state’s relationship with Washington, D.C.:
• Fighting Federal Overreach: The AG frequently sues the federal government over policies involving the border, healthcare, and the environment.
• Consumer Protection: This office investigates businesses for price gouging, data privacy violations, and scams targeting Texans.
• Child Support: They manage the statewide system for collecting and distributing child support payments to families.
• Law & Order: They provide support to local prosecutors and can take over criminal cases involving public corruption or election integrity.

The Comptroller is the Chief Financial Officer (CFO) for Texas. Think of them as the state’s head accountant, tax collector, and treasurer all rolled into one. They manage the state’s massive multi-billion dollar budget.

• The Comptroller has a unique power called “Revenue Estimating.” Before the State Legislature can spend a single dime on schools or roads, the Comptroller must tell them exactly how much money the state will actually have.
• Tax Collection: They collect over 60 different types of taxes, including the sales tax you pay at the store.
• The “Checkbook”: They write the checks for all state expenses and manage the state’s investments.
• Economic Forecasting: They provide the data that helps businesses and lawmakers understand if the Texas economy is growing or shrinking.
• Unclaimed Property: They run the “Great Texas Treasure Hunt,” returning forgotten bank accounts and utility deposits to citizens.

The Land Commissioner is the state’s “Real Estate Manager.” They oversee more than 13 million acres of state-owned land, including the mineral rights (oil and gas) underneath them and the Texas coastline.

The decisions made by the Land Commissioner have a direct impact on your taxes, your history, and your community’s safety:

• Funding Schools: The money made from leasing state lands for oil and gas goes into the Permanent School Fund, which pays for textbooks and technology in Texas public schools.
• The Alamo: The GLO is the official “custodian” of the Alamo in San Antonio. The Commissioner oversees its preservation and how its history is told.
• Veterans: They run the Veterans Land Board, providing low-interest land, home, and home improvement loans to Texas veterans.
• Disaster Recovery: When a major hurricane or flood hits Texas, the Land Commissioner is often responsible for distributing billions of dollars in federal recovery money to help families rebuild.

The Agriculture Commissioner leads the Texas Department of Agriculture (TDA). While the title sounds like it’s only for farmers, this office touches the lives of every Texan—urban and rural—every single day.

The TDA is responsible for consumer protection and economic development. Key responsibilities include:

• The “Gas Pump” & Scales: Every time you buy gas or groceries, the TDA ensures the pumps and scales are calibrated correctly so you get exactly what you pay for.
• School Lunches: The office manages the multi-billion dollar federal school nutrition program that feeds millions of Texas children.
• Economic Growth: They run the “Go Texan” program, which promotes Texas-made products globally.
• Rural Health: The commissioner oversees grants for rural hospitals and infrastructure to keep small-town Texas thriving.

Despite the name, the Railroad Commission (RRC) has nothing to do with trains. It is actually the state agency that regulates the oil and natural gas industry. There are three Commissioners who are elected statewide to six-year, staggered terms. This means every two years, one of the three seats is up for election.

Texas is the #1 energy producer in the U.S., which makes the RRC one of the most powerful regulatory bodies in the country. They oversee:

• Energy Production: They grant permits for every oil and gas well drilled in the state.
• Environmental Safety: They are responsible for preventing pollution of our water and soil from drilling activities.
• Abandoned Wells: They manage the program to “plug” old, leaking oil wells that owners have walked away from.
• Pipeline Safety: They oversee the thousands of miles of natural gas pipelines that crisscross Texas and San Antonio.
• Gas Utilities: They help set the rates you pay for natural gas in your home.

The Texas Supreme Court is the highest court in the state for civil law. It is composed of one Chief Justice and eight Justices. Because they have the “final say” on how Texas laws are applied to businesses and individuals, their rulings set the precedent for every other civil court in the state.

The Final Word: Their decisions impact everything from whether you can sue a large corporation for a faulty product to how your property taxes are calculated.

Rights & Liberties: They interpret the Texas Constitution, deciding cases involving free speech, religious freedom, and parental rights.

Business Climate: Their rulings on contract law and liability help determine how easy—or difficult—it is for businesses to operate in Texas.

Emergency Orders: During crises (like the pandemic or major storms), this court issues the orders that tell lower courts how to stay open or handle evictions and foreclosures.

A State Senator represents you in the Texas Senate, which is the “upper chamber” of the state legislature in Austin. There are only 31 State Senators in all of Texas, which means each one represents a massive area—about 940,000 people. This is roughly five times the number of people a State Representative speaks for.

The Texas Senate is often called the “more powerful” half of the legislature because it has special duties that the House does not. Your State Senator helps control the state’s future in several key ways:

• The “Traffic Controller”: Led by the Lieutenant Governor, the Senate has strict rules on which bills get to be voted on. If your Senator has a good relationship with leadership, your community’s needs are much more likely to become law.
• Approving State Leaders: The Senate has the unique power to “confirm” (approve) or reject the people the Governor picks to run state agencies, like the leaders of the Texas Education Agency or the Parks and Wildlife Department.
• Long-Term Planning: Because Senators serve four-year terms (twice as long as House members), they often focus on “big picture” issues that take years to solve, like the state’s 50-year water plan or multi-billion dollar highway expansions.
• The Filibuster: Only State Senators have the power to “filibuster”—standing at their desk and talking for hours to try and kill a bill they believe is bad for Texas. It is one of the most powerful tools a single person has to stop a law.
• Trial of State Officials: If a state official is impeached (accused of a crime or misconduct), the Senate acts as the “court” that decides whether to remove them from office.

A State Representative is your neighborhood’s direct voice in the Texas House of Representatives in Austin. Texas is divided into 150 districts, and each one sends one person to the State Capitol to represent about 200,000 neighbors. They serve two-year terms, which means they are up for election frequently to stay accountable to you.

While the U.S. Congress in Washington handles national issues, your State Representative handles the laws that affect your “everyday” life in San Antonio. They have a seat at the table for:

• The State Budget: They decide how Texas spends billions of dollars on highways, mental health services, and state parks.
• Public Schools: They vote on how much funding goes to your local school district and help decide what is taught in Texas classrooms.
• Your Wallet: They are responsible for passing laws that can lower your property taxes or change the sales tax you pay.
• Local Problems: They act as a bridge between you and state agencies. If you’re having a problem with a state department (like the DMV or the Texas Workforce Commission), your State Representative’s office is the place you call for help.
• Starting Money Bills: In Texas, any law that increases taxes must start in the House of Representatives

The 4th Court of Appeals is one of the “intermediate” courts in Texas. If you lose a case in a local district court in San Antonio (civil or criminal), this is where your appeal goes first. The Chief Justice is the “First Among Equals” of the seven-judge court. In addition to hearing cases and writing legal opinions, they manage the court’s budget, personnel, and day-to-day administration.

The Final Word (Usually): While the Texas Supreme Court is higher, they only take a tiny fraction of cases. For most people in San Antonio, the 4th Court of Appeals is the final stop for justice.

Broad Impact: Their rulings affect everything from criminal convictions to multimillion-dollar business disputes across 32 counties.

Administrative Power: The Chief Justice sets the tone for the court’s efficiency. They decide how cases are assigned and how quickly opinions are released to the public.

A Political Seesaw: This court is one of the few in Texas where the voting base is diverse enough that it can flip between Democratic and Republican control, making the Chief Justice’s seat highly influential.

A District Judge is the presiding authority over one of Texas’s highest level trial courts. While some district courts specialize in criminal law, the 45th is a Civil District Court. The judge oversees trials, hears motions, and interprets the law for cases involving:

• Civil Disputes: Personal injury, medical malpractice, and contract disagreements.
• Family Law: Divorces, child custody battles, and protective orders.
• Property & Land: Issues involving titles, boundaries, and foreclosures.

Local Impact: Most people who interact with the court system do so at the district level. This judge’s rulings directly affect the safety, finances, and family structures of Bexar County residents.

The “Presiding” System: Bexar County uses a unique system where civil judges rotate as the “Presiding Judge” for the whole county. This means a judge in the 45th doesn’t just manage their own docket; they help manage the flow of all civil justice in San Antonio.

Gatekeeper of Evidence: The judge decides what evidence a jury is allowed to see. These decisions often determine the outcome of a trial before the jury even begins to deliberate.

District Judge in a criminal court presides over felony cases. These are crimes that carry a potential sentence of at least six months in a state jail or prison. The 144th District Court specifically handles:

• Serious Felonies: Cases involving robbery, burglary, large-scale theft, and drug trafficking.
• Violent Crimes: Assault, kidnapping, and murder.
• Pre-Trial Rights: The judge makes critical rulings on whether evidence was gathered legally and decides the bond amounts for defendants awaiting trial.

Public Safety: The judge is responsible for ensuring that justice is served for victims while also protecting the constitutional rights of the accused.

Sentencing Power: If a defendant is found guilty, this judge (or a jury) decides the punishment, which can range from probation and rehabilitation to life in prison.

Efficiency of Justice: With thousands of felony cases filed in Bexar County every year, the judge’s ability to manage their “docket” determines how quickly a case moves to trial, affecting both the victims and the tax dollars spent on county jail housing.

Like the 144th, the 187th is a Criminal District Court. The judge oversees high-level felony cases, ranging from aggravated assault and drug trafficking to capital murder.

Constitutional Safeguards: This court is where the “rubber meets the road” for civil liberties. The judge decides if police acted legally during arrests and searches.

Public Safety & Sentencing: The judge has the power to offer probation and treatment programs or to hand down lengthy prison sentences.

High-Volume Justice: This court is often in the spotlight for its handling of “backlog” cases, affecting how long defendants stay in jail on the taxpayer’s dime before their day in court.

The 224th is a Civil District Court. Like the 45th District Court, the judge presiding over the 224th handles cases where individuals or companies are suing one another for money or specific actions. This court primarily focuses on:

• Complex Civil Litigation: Major lawsuits involving business contracts, construction defects, and corporate disputes.
• Serious Personal Injury: Cases involving catastrophic accidents or medical malpractice.
• Family Law & Protection: Divorces, custody disputes, and orders involving the protection of children and vulnerable adults.

The “San Antonio System”: Because Bexar County uses a “presiding” system for civil cases, this judge regularly steps in to make quick, critical decisions on cases from any civil court in the county.

Protecting the Vulnerable: This court often handles delicate cases involving child abuse and neglect (CPS cases). The judge’s decisions can permanently change the trajectory of a child’s life.

Economic Stability: By ruling on large business and property disputes, the judge helps maintain a fair environment for the local economy and property owners.

A District Judge in a criminal court presides over high-level felony cases. The 226th District Court is a “Criminal District Court,” meaning it handles cases where the state is seeking significant penalties for serious offenses. This includes:

• Serious Felonies: Cases involving capital murder, aggravated robbery, and sexual assault.
• Drug Offenses: High-level manufacturing or delivery of controlled substances.
• Property Crimes: Large-scale theft or arson.

The Authority of the Gavel: The judge makes daily decisions that balance public safety with the constitutional rights of the accused. They decide whether to grant bond, what evidence is admissible, and—if a defendant is convicted—what the punishment will be.

Open Seat Competition: This seat was previously held by Velia Meza (who was elected to the 4th Court of Appeals). Because it is an open seat, this primary is a rare opportunity for voters to select a new long-term leader for this specific bench.

Public Integrity: Like all criminal judges, the person in this seat is responsible for ensuring that trials are conducted fairly and that the law is applied equally, regardless of a defendant’s background or the nature of the crime.

A judge in the 436th District Court presides over cases involving juveniles (ages 10 to 17) who have been accused of violating the Texas Penal Code. Unlike adult criminal courts, the juvenile system is designed with a dual focus: public safety and the rehabilitation of the minor.

Rehabilitation vs. Incarceration: This judge decides whether a young person should be sent to a detention facility or placed in a community-based program, such as drug treatment or mental health counseling.

Specialty Dockets: The 436th often oversees specialty programs like the Crossover Court, which helps youth who are involved in both the juvenile justice system and Child Protective Services (CPS).

Life-Long Impact: A judge’s decision here can determine whether a mistake in youth becomes a permanent criminal record or a turning point toward a productive future.

Family Involvement: Juvenile judges work closely with families, schools, and probation officers to create “safety plans” that address the root causes of a minor’s behavior.

The District Attorney (DA) is the most powerful figure in the local justice system. They lead an office of over 200 attorneys who decide which arrests become formal criminal charges and which are dismissed. They represent the State of Texas in all felony and misdemeanor prosecutions in Bexar County.

The Power of Discretion: The DA decides who gets a second chance (diversion programs) and who face prison time. They set the policy for how the county handles everything from low-level drug possession to capital murder.

The Backlog Crisis: The next DA will inherit a massive backlog of thousands of cases. Their ability to manage the “docket” determines how quickly victims see justice and how long defendants stay in the county jail.

Public Safety: They are responsible for prosecuting repeat offenders and violent criminals while ensuring the system remains fair and transparent.

Specialized Justice: The DA manages specialized divisions for Family Violence, Child Abuse, and Civil Rights, directly impacting the county’s most vulnerable residents.

The County Judge serves as the presiding officer of the Commissioners Court—the five-member board that runs the county. They oversee a budget of nearly $3 billion and are responsible for county roads, the jail, the court system, and public health (University Health).

Tax Rates: The County Judge leads the team that sets your county property tax rate.

Economic Development: They negotiate the “big deals” to bring major companies and jobs to San Antonio and the surrounding cities.

Emergency Management: During a crisis (floods, freezes, or pandemics), the County Judge is the person who issues emergency orders and coordinates the response.

The “Buck Stops Here”: From funding the Sheriff’s Office to fixing rural roads and managing the county hospital system, the County Judge is the most powerful administrative official in the region.

A County Court at Law Judge is a trial judge who handles cases that are “in the middle.” They aren’t as low-level as a Justice of the Peace (small claims), but they don’t handle the high-level felonies or multi-million dollar lawsuits found in District Courts. These courts are split into two types:

• Criminal: They handle Class A and B misdemeanors. These are crimes that can result in a fine or up to one year in the county jail (e.g., DWI, simple assault, or petty theft).
• Civil: They handle lawsuits where the amount in dispute is typically between $200 and $250,000. This includes car accidents, debt collections, and evictions.

The “Everyman” Court: Most citizens who ever have to go to court will end up here. Whether it’s for a traffic dispute, a credit card lawsuit, or a first-time misdemeanor, this judge sets the tone for your interaction with the law.

Justice & Rehabilitation: Misdemeanor judges have huge power to use “diversion” programs. They can order drug treatment, domestic violence counseling, or community service to help people get back on track before they commit a more serious felony.

Property & Debt: On the civil side, these judges decide who gets to stay in their home (evictions) and whether a person truly owes a debt to a bank or collector.

The “Presiding” Rotation: In Bexar County, these judges rotate to hear specialized dockets, meaning a judge you elect for one court might spend months helping in a domestic violence or mental health court.

The District Clerk is the official recorder and custodian of all records for the Bexar County District Courts (which handle felony crimes and large civil lawsuits). They are responsible for managing the flow of paperwork that keeps the legal system moving.

The Record Keeper: Every lawsuit, felony indictment, and court order is processed and stored by this office. If the clerk’s office isn’t efficient, cases get delayed, affecting both public safety and civil justice.

Jury Duty: The District Clerk is responsible for summoning jurors for all trials in Bexar County. If you’ve ever received a jury summons in the mail, it came from this office.

Passport Services: In many Texas counties, including Bexar, the District Clerk’s office is a primary location for processing U.S. passport applications.

Financial Custodian: They collect and manage millions of dollars in court fees, fines, and “funds in litigation” (money held by the court during a legal dispute).

A Justice of the Peace is a judge who handles small-scale legal matters. Unlike District or County judges, a JP is not required to be an attorney, though many are. Their jurisdiction includes:

• Small Civil Claims: Lawsuits involving amounts up to $20,000, such as repair disputes or debt claims.
• Landlord-Tenant Law: This is the court that hears eviction cases.
• Class C Misdemeanors: Minor offenses punishable by fine only, like traffic tickets or city ordinance violations.
• Magistrate Duties: JPs issue arrest and search warrants, set bail for defendants, and perform marriage ceremonies.
• Administrative Roles: They conduct inquests to determine the cause of death in cases where there is no medical examiner present.

Direct Community Impact: The JP is the “neighborhood judge.” Their decisions on evictions determine whether a family stays in their home, and their handling of truancy or traffic fines affects local families’ finances.

First Point of Contact: For many in the criminal justice system, the JP is the first judge they see when bond is being set.

Accessibility: JP courts are designed to be navigated without an attorney, making the judge’s ability to explain the law clearly and fairly essential.

A Precinct Chair is the “neighborhood captain” for their political party. While the Governor handles the state and the Mayor handles the city, the Precinct Chair handles just a few square blocks—your specific voting precinct. They are unpaid volunteers elected to two-year terms.

They are the bridge between your neighborhood and the larger political party. Their work directly impacts how much attention your area gets during election season:

• Getting Out the Vote: They are responsible for knocking on doors, making calls, and making sure their neighbors know when and where to vote.
• Party Leadership: Every Precinct Chair in Bexar County sits on the County Executive Committee. This group makes the big decisions for the local party, like approving the budget and helping fill vacancies on the ballot.
• The Precinct Convention: After the primary polls close, the Precinct Chair runs a small meeting (the “Precinct Convention”) where neighbors can propose ideas (resolutions) to be added to the state party platform.
• Election Support: They often help recruit the “Election Judges” and clerks who actually run the polling place on Election Day to ensure everything is fair and organized.

Elizabeth F. Limon
Rosa Sanchez

Darby Riley
Lydia Carrillo-Valdez
Kimberly Bohl

Gene Marck
Josh Maseda

George Darren Richmond
Lisa D. Pierce

Alexander Jimenez

Jose A. Gamez, Jr

Alma R. Rodriguez

Jerry Joe Pittman
Relvis Zeigler

Party Propositions are non-binding opinion polls. When you vote “Yes” or “No” on a proposition, you aren’t actually passing a law or changing the Texas Constitution. Instead, you are participating in a massive survey conducted by the political party.

Even though they don’t become law immediately, they are incredibly powerful for three reasons:

• The Party Platform: The results tell the state party leadership exactly what their voters care about. If 90% of voters say “Yes” to a proposition, it almost always becomes an official part of the Party Platform.
• The Legislative Agenda: When the Texas Legislature meets in Austin next year, lawmakers look at these results. They use them as “proof” that the public supports specific new laws, such as property tax changes or border security measures.
• Candidate Pressure: Candidates often look at how their specific district voted on these propositions to decide which issues they should focus on during the General Election in November.