The Race For County Judge Heats Up in Bexar County Between Trish DeBerry and Judge Peter Sakai
In a highly contested race for Bexar County Judge between (R) Trish DeBerry and (D) Peter Sakai, DeBerry is getting dirty. In a press release sent out last Friday, DeBerry slams Sakai for not accepting a debate with her.
“The arrogance and anger really surprises me,”
“Peter, this isn’t your courtroom,” she continues,
“This race is a dead heat and if you think you’re going to hide, and wait out the clock, you’re mistaken.”
DeBerry continues even further stating, “Mansplaining to me what voters care about and how they are best served by someone who spent his career avoiding tough questions is laughable.”
A bitter race is brewing. DeBerry who gave up her seat as Precinct 3 commissioner last year is resorting to unkind political jabs towards her opponent although Sakai is not taking the bait. Sakai responded to DeBerry’s press release in a direct way, leaving the jabs out of the picture.
Sakai made voters feel safe and calm in any heightened situation- showing he is someone who can genuinely lead. His response to DeBerry shows why he won’t debate her, he is smart and he is calm. The winner of this race is replacing Judge Wolff, someone who has served San Antonio since 2001. His shoes are big, whether you approve of him or not. The world is looking for comfort and dependability right now. Mental Health issues are the center of daily conversations as we learn to recognize our own boundaries and triggers. How our elected leaders choose to display themselves matters to the masses, especially as an elected county judge.
Elections are primarily all attack all the time, choosing voters instead of voters choosing candidates, and now even choosing their opponents. I don’t think I’m alone in saying these exercises aren’t good for the democratic process and won’t make our country better.
While the medium may be different, the goals are as old as elections themselves. If we can distinguish between dirty tricks and negative campaigning, the latter may be offensive but is based on something that is true as opposed to something that is a wholesale fabrication. DeBerry has basically labeled Sakai arrogant, angry, a joke and says he is hiding from her. Wholesale fabrications instead of ‘factual truths’ kind of puts you under the ‘dirty tricks’ category of campaigning. This alone may sway voters that are on the fence to go the other route. Sakai started serving with the Bexar County DA’s office in 1983 and had recently stepped down as judge from the bench of the 225th State District Court to run for County Judge. Sakai’s background shows he would not have succeeded the way he did if he were an ‘angry arrogant scared man’ as he was described.
Criticism is a central element of political campaigns. It allows political parties and candidates to emphasize unfavorable aspects of political opponents that otherwise might have been undisclosed. Also, criticism in campaigns can provide valuable information for citizens and lead to more informed voting decisions. However, some forms of criticism can also impair citizens’ political attitudes, increase public disengagement, and eventually harm the quality of democracy.
“Thank you for your email and your evident enthusiasm in spending time with me” stated Judge Sakai
“I have not and would not ever mandate questions in advance”
“Our Democracy deserves better”
“Trish, you’re wrong.” he concluded.
Judge Sakai’s response was direct and calm. Hopefully DeBerry will continue the race without the jabs and provide the confidence voters want and need in a candidate and in our democracy.
Early voting begins on Monday, October 24, 2022 – Friday, November 4, 2022. Election day is November 8, 2002.
To learn more about both candidates you may visit their websites at https://www.trish4judge.com/ and https://judgepetersakai.com/.
