The Crowded Bexar County DA Race Is Shaping Up for a Likely Runoff as Campaign Finance Reports Show Clear Financial Leaders
Early voting is underway in one of the most competitive races on the Bexar County ballot — the Democratic primary for District Attorney. With eight candidates running to replace retiring DA Joe Gonzales, no public polling shows a clear frontrunner, and most political observers expect the race to head to a runoff.
Who’s Running – Democratic Primary (Eight Candidates)
Democrats:
• Jim Bethke – Executive Director of Bexar County’s Managed Assigned Counsel Office
• Jane Davis – Chief of the Juvenile Division at the DA’s Office
• Meli Carrión Powers – Chief of the Family Violence Division
• Oscar Salinas – Longtime felony prosecutor
• Shannon Locke – Criminal defense attorney
• Luz Elena Chapa – Former Fourth Court of Appeals judge
• Veronica Legarreta – Former prosecutor and defense attorney
• Meredith Chacon – Former prosecutor turned defense attorney
Republican:
• Ashley Foster – Former felony prosecutor (unopposed in GOP primary)
Read Next: What’s on the Ballot: Inside the 2026 Democratic Primary in Bexar County
Who Is Being Mentioned the Most
There is no definitive polling leader. However, several names consistently surface in endorsements and courthouse conversations.
Institutional Mentions
Outgoing District Attorney Joe Gonzales has publicly highlighted experienced legal professionals in the race, including:
• Jim Bethke
• Jane Davis
• Meli Carrión Powers
• Oscar Salinas
Bethke’s leadership role overseeing indigent defense appointments gives him countywide administrative exposure that differs from strictly prosecutorial resumes.
In addition to institutional mentions, Bethke holds endorsements from:
- Texas Organizing Project
- Working Families Party
Those endorsements provide grassroots infrastructure and voter mobilization strength in a crowded primary.
Candidates like Shannon Locke have also generated visibility through community appearances and public forums.
Fundraising Comparison – Latest Filings
The most recent campaign finance reports show financial tiers forming in the race:
- Luz Elena Chapa: ~$156,919 raised; ~$242,505 cash on hand; ~$100,000 personal loan; Largest cash position in the field
- Jane Davis: ~$1,050 raised; ~$107,000 personal loans; ~$102,158 cash on hand; Strong self-funded campaign structure
- Meli Carrión Powers: ~$24,481 raised; ~$22,881 cash on hand; No reported loans
- Meredith Chacon: ~$20,060 raised; ~$20,047 cash on hand; No reported loans
- Veronica Legarreta: ~$10,335 raised; ~$9,531 cash on hand; No reported loans
- Oscar Salinas: ~$15,151 raised; ~$4,508 cash on hand; No reported loans
- Shannon Locke: ~$12,786 raised; ~$20,990 personal loans; ~$3,227 cash on hand
- Jim Bethke: No comparable fundraising totals reflected in the filings provided; Holds endorsement from Texas Organizing Project
DA Landscape Heading Into March
With eight Democrats on the ballot, it remains unlikely that one candidate will secure more than 50 percent in March, making a runoff probable.
Based on current filings:
• Financially strongest: Luz Elena Chapa; Clear cash-on-hand leader by a wide margin
• Second-tier financial position: Jane Davis; Six-figure self-funded campaign with strong remaining balance
• Mid-tier fundraising: Angelica “Meli” Powers, Meredith Chacon, Shannon Locke
• Lower-tier fundraising but active: Oscar Salinas, Veronica Legarreta
• Organizational backing advantage: Jim Bethke
This race is still fluid. In a crowded primary like this, turnout, organization, and late momentum could determine which two candidates advance.
