Texas Ballot Compare

General election · Tuesday, November 3, 2026

Nonpartisan voter guide · Texas

County Judge

Race · November 3, 2026 general election

Bexar County
Vote for oneResearched · fact-checked
Patrick Von DohlenPatrick Von DohlenRepublican
Ron NirenbergRon NirenbergDemocratic
On ballot as
Patrick Von Dohlen
Ron Nirenberg
Current role
Financial adviser
Calgaard Distinguished Professor of Practice, Trinity University
Background
  • Degree in agricultural economics, Texas A&M (per candidate)
  • Financial advisor for over twenty-seven years (per candidate)
  • Business owner (per candidate)
  • 5th generation Texan (per candidate)
  • Nine children raised in Bexar County with his wife (per candidate)
  • Parishioner at St. Mark the Evangelist Catholic Church since 1997 (per candidate)
  • Bachelor of Arts, Trinity University
  • Master of Arts in communications, University of Pennsylvania
  • Former general manager, KRTU-FM at Trinity University
  • Earlier directed civic programs for the Annenberg Public Policy Center
  • Son of immigrants and 30-year San Antonio resident (per candidate)
Experience
  • Runs the San Antonio Family Association PAC (per San Antonio Report)
  • Ran for San Antonio City Council, District 9 (2017, 2019 and 2021)
  • Mayor of San Antonio (2017–2025; four consecutive terms)
  • San Antonio City Council, District 8 (two terms)
  • Democratic primary (March 3, 2026): won over incumbent County Judge Peter Sakai
Top priorities
  • "fiscal discipline that treats every tax dollar as an individual's or family's sacrifice"
  • "addressing the jail crisis"
  • Says he will work on "making cuts to non-essential expenses, working to lower taxes anywhere we can"
  • Says he will "advocate for a full audit" of the jail and "an interim facility to better accommodate inmates with mental health challenges"
  • "The Edwards Aquifer is our lifeline. We need to protect it while ensuring that private property rights are respected."
  • "Protect public safety and deliver a fair, efficient, and effective justice system that keeps dangerous criminals off the streets."
  • "Create and implement a regional growth plan to improve infrastructure, protect natural resources and quality of life"
  • "Stimulate economic opportunity by promoting Bexar County globally, preparing our workforce, expanding health care access"
  • "Eliminate redundancies, reduce inefficiencies, and save taxpayer resources by working collaboratively with all communities in Bexar County."
  • "I am committed to weekly, public budget work sessions."
Tidbits
  • Property taxes and budget: Campaign site: says his approach means "making cuts to non-essential expenses, working to lower taxes anywhere we can"
  • Growth and infrastructure: Campaign site: "The Edwards Aquifer is our lifeline. We need to protect it while ensuring that private property rights are respected."
  • Flooding and drainage: In a San Antonio Report questionnaire: "I'd accelerate delayed essential projects and dramatically improve warning systems."
  • Public safety: Campaign site, on the county jail: "I will advocate for a full audit to ensure efficiency as well as an interim facility to better accommodate inmates with mental health challenges."
Claims and the record
  • Controversies: None found in the news coverage we reviewed
  • Property taxes and budget: In a San Antonio Report questionnaire: "I am committed to weekly, public budget work sessions."
  • Growth and infrastructure: In a San Antonio Report questionnaire: "Create and implement a regional growth plan to improve infrastructure, protect natural resources and quality of life"
  • Flooding and drainage: In a San Antonio Report questionnaire, says the county should use "proven methods of natural stormwater management that prevent downstream flooding"
  • Public safety: In a San Antonio Report questionnaire: "Protect public safety and deliver a fair, efficient, and effective justice system that keeps dangerous criminals off the streets."
Claims and the record
  • 2025 city ethics board admonition: San Antonio's Ethics Review Board found he violated city ethics rules by using city facilities and personnel in campaign photos (2025). Sanction: a letter of admonition, one of its most minor; a second allegation was dismissed. His attorney argued the violations were committed unknowingly and wrote that he "takes full responsibility".
Endorsements
  • Texas Values Action
  • Texas Home School Coalition
  • Conservative Coalition of South Central Texas (listed by campaign)
  • Gun Owners of America (listed by campaign)
  • Texas Right To Life (listed by campaign)
Show all 30
  • Texas Family Action (listed by campaign)
  • True Texas Project (listed by campaign)
  • Bexar County Election Integrity (listed by campaign)
  • Pastor's PAC (listed by campaign)
  • Senator Donna Campbell, M.D., Texas Senate District 25 (listed by campaign)
  • Senator Mayes Middleton, Texas Senate District 11 (listed by campaign)
  • Rep. Marc LaHood, J.D., Texas State Representative, HD 121 (listed by campaign)
  • Francisco "Quico" Canseco, Former U.S. Congressman (listed by campaign)
  • Frank Corte, Jr., Former Texas State Representative (listed by campaign)
  • Ken Mercer, Former SBOE & State Representative (listed by campaign)
  • Allan Parker, J.D., President, The Justice Foundation (listed by campaign)
  • Kenneth Hyde, Gubernatorial Candidate, Kenneth Hyde For Texas Governor 2030 (listed by campaign)
  • Paula Claire Moore, Precinct Chair, Bexar GOP (listed by campaign)
  • Joe Caddell, President, Joshua Initiative (listed by campaign)
  • John Whitsett, Zoning Commissioner, CoSA District (listed by campaign)
  • LTC Andrew Vicencio, US Army LTC OEF Combat Veteran (Retired) and Former SA Mayoral Candidate (listed by campaign)
  • Alvin J. Amerson, Bexar County Precinct Chair (listed by campaign)
  • Jeff Clay, Bexar County Precinct Chair (listed by campaign)
  • George Torres, Bexar County Precinct Chair (listed by campaign)
  • Denise Vandermark, Bexar County Precinct Chair & Active Citizen (listed by campaign)
  • Betty Eckert, Precinct Chair & Citizens Advocate for Wiser Americans (listed by campaign)
  • Mary Ellen Snell, Bexar County GOP Precinct Chair 3194 (listed by campaign)
  • Alicia Gomez, Former Precinct Chair (listed by campaign)
  • Dr. Michael Stevens, Precinct 1151 Chair, Republican Party of Bexar County (listed by campaign)
  • State Representative Carrie Isaac (listed by campaign)
  • Stonewall Democrats of San Antonio (listed by campaign)
  • Deputy Constable Association of Bexar County (listed by campaign)
  • Northside American Federation of Teachers (listed by campaign)
  • Bexar County Young Democrats (listed by campaign)
  • Black Equity PAC (listed by campaign)
Show all 12
  • National Association of Letter Carriers (listed by campaign)
  • Former County Judge Nelson Wolff (listed by campaign)
  • Former Mayor Phil Hardberger (listed by campaign)
  • State Representative Trey Martinez Fischer (listed by campaign)
  • City Council member Jalen McKee Rodriguez (listed by campaign)
  • Constable Kathryn Brown (listed by campaign)
  • Poet and Author Carmen Tafolla (listed by campaign)
Patrick Von Dohlen

Patrick Von Dohlen

Republican
On ballot as
Patrick Von Dohlen
Current role
Financial adviser
Background
  • Degree in agricultural economics, Texas A&M (per candidate)
  • Financial advisor for over twenty-seven years (per candidate)
  • Business owner (per candidate)
  • 5th generation Texan (per candidate)
  • Nine children raised in Bexar County with his wife (per candidate)
  • Parishioner at St. Mark the Evangelist Catholic Church since 1997 (per candidate)
Experience
  • Runs the San Antonio Family Association PAC (per San Antonio Report)
  • Ran for San Antonio City Council, District 9 (2017, 2019 and 2021)
Top priorities
  • "fiscal discipline that treats every tax dollar as an individual's or family's sacrifice"
  • "addressing the jail crisis"
  • Says he will work on "making cuts to non-essential expenses, working to lower taxes anywhere we can"
  • Says he will "advocate for a full audit" of the jail and "an interim facility to better accommodate inmates with mental health challenges"
  • "The Edwards Aquifer is our lifeline. We need to protect it while ensuring that private property rights are respected."
Tidbits
  • Property taxes and budget: Campaign site: says his approach means "making cuts to non-essential expenses, working to lower taxes anywhere we can"
  • Growth and infrastructure: Campaign site: "The Edwards Aquifer is our lifeline. We need to protect it while ensuring that private property rights are respected."
  • Flooding and drainage: In a San Antonio Report questionnaire: "I'd accelerate delayed essential projects and dramatically improve warning systems."
  • Public safety: Campaign site, on the county jail: "I will advocate for a full audit to ensure efficiency as well as an interim facility to better accommodate inmates with mental health challenges."
Claims and the record
  • Controversies: None found in the news coverage we reviewed
Endorsements
  • Texas Values Action
  • Texas Home School Coalition
  • Conservative Coalition of South Central Texas (listed by campaign)
  • Gun Owners of America (listed by campaign)
  • Texas Right To Life (listed by campaign)
Show all 30
  • Texas Family Action (listed by campaign)
  • True Texas Project (listed by campaign)
  • Bexar County Election Integrity (listed by campaign)
  • Pastor's PAC (listed by campaign)
  • Senator Donna Campbell, M.D., Texas Senate District 25 (listed by campaign)
  • Senator Mayes Middleton, Texas Senate District 11 (listed by campaign)
  • Rep. Marc LaHood, J.D., Texas State Representative, HD 121 (listed by campaign)
  • Francisco "Quico" Canseco, Former U.S. Congressman (listed by campaign)
  • Frank Corte, Jr., Former Texas State Representative (listed by campaign)
  • Ken Mercer, Former SBOE & State Representative (listed by campaign)
  • Allan Parker, J.D., President, The Justice Foundation (listed by campaign)
  • Kenneth Hyde, Gubernatorial Candidate, Kenneth Hyde For Texas Governor 2030 (listed by campaign)
  • Paula Claire Moore, Precinct Chair, Bexar GOP (listed by campaign)
  • Joe Caddell, President, Joshua Initiative (listed by campaign)
  • John Whitsett, Zoning Commissioner, CoSA District (listed by campaign)
  • LTC Andrew Vicencio, US Army LTC OEF Combat Veteran (Retired) and Former SA Mayoral Candidate (listed by campaign)
  • Alvin J. Amerson, Bexar County Precinct Chair (listed by campaign)
  • Jeff Clay, Bexar County Precinct Chair (listed by campaign)
  • George Torres, Bexar County Precinct Chair (listed by campaign)
  • Denise Vandermark, Bexar County Precinct Chair & Active Citizen (listed by campaign)
  • Betty Eckert, Precinct Chair & Citizens Advocate for Wiser Americans (listed by campaign)
  • Mary Ellen Snell, Bexar County GOP Precinct Chair 3194 (listed by campaign)
  • Alicia Gomez, Former Precinct Chair (listed by campaign)
  • Dr. Michael Stevens, Precinct 1151 Chair, Republican Party of Bexar County (listed by campaign)
  • State Representative Carrie Isaac (listed by campaign)
Campaign website
votepatrick.net
Ron Nirenberg

Ron Nirenberg

Democratic
On ballot as
Ron Nirenberg
Current role
Calgaard Distinguished Professor of Practice, Trinity University
Background
  • Bachelor of Arts, Trinity University
  • Master of Arts in communications, University of Pennsylvania
  • Former general manager, KRTU-FM at Trinity University
  • Earlier directed civic programs for the Annenberg Public Policy Center
  • Son of immigrants and 30-year San Antonio resident (per candidate)
Experience
  • Mayor of San Antonio (2017–2025; four consecutive terms)
  • San Antonio City Council, District 8 (two terms)
  • Democratic primary (March 3, 2026): won over incumbent County Judge Peter Sakai
Top priorities
  • "Protect public safety and deliver a fair, efficient, and effective justice system that keeps dangerous criminals off the streets."
  • "Create and implement a regional growth plan to improve infrastructure, protect natural resources and quality of life"
  • "Stimulate economic opportunity by promoting Bexar County globally, preparing our workforce, expanding health care access"
  • "Eliminate redundancies, reduce inefficiencies, and save taxpayer resources by working collaboratively with all communities in Bexar County."
  • "I am committed to weekly, public budget work sessions."
Tidbits
  • Property taxes and budget: In a San Antonio Report questionnaire: "I am committed to weekly, public budget work sessions."
  • Growth and infrastructure: In a San Antonio Report questionnaire: "Create and implement a regional growth plan to improve infrastructure, protect natural resources and quality of life"
  • Flooding and drainage: In a San Antonio Report questionnaire, says the county should use "proven methods of natural stormwater management that prevent downstream flooding"
  • Public safety: In a San Antonio Report questionnaire: "Protect public safety and deliver a fair, efficient, and effective justice system that keeps dangerous criminals off the streets."
Claims and the record
  • 2025 city ethics board admonition: San Antonio's Ethics Review Board found he violated city ethics rules by using city facilities and personnel in campaign photos (2025). Sanction: a letter of admonition, one of its most minor; a second allegation was dismissed. His attorney argued the violations were committed unknowingly and wrote that he "takes full responsibility".
Endorsements
  • Stonewall Democrats of San Antonio (listed by campaign)
  • Deputy Constable Association of Bexar County (listed by campaign)
  • Northside American Federation of Teachers (listed by campaign)
  • Bexar County Young Democrats (listed by campaign)
  • Black Equity PAC (listed by campaign)
Show all 12
  • National Association of Letter Carriers (listed by campaign)
  • Former County Judge Nelson Wolff (listed by campaign)
  • Former Mayor Phil Hardberger (listed by campaign)
  • State Representative Trey Martinez Fischer (listed by campaign)
  • City Council member Jalen McKee Rodriguez (listed by campaign)
  • Constable Kathryn Brown (listed by campaign)
  • Poet and Author Carmen Tafolla (listed by campaign)
Campaign website
voteron.com