Judge Peter Sakai, is running for Bexar County Judge and faces off in the November 8th election against opponent (R) Trish Deberry. This election will decide who replaces long-term County Judge Nelson Wolff who has announced he will be stepping down.
Coming from an immigrant family, Judge Sakai’s grandparents came to the U.S. from Japan. Sakai’s father, Pete and his family, while a high school student in California, were victims of Executive Order 9066. This was the Japanese Internment Camps. Sakai’s father would often tell his son about his experiences growing up and attending school while in these camps. This was a wretched time, a time where people lost their businesses and homes. It was indeed a huge violation of their civil rights.
Sakai’s father was a humble man who was a farm worker and made sure his son knew all the obstacles life would have in it.
The Observer spoke with Judge Sakai who stated, “Let me make it very clear. I am a true public servant for over 26 years and not a career politician that entered the political arena multiple times. Because of my work as a judge, working hand in hand with several nonprofit organizations and public and private educational systems, that provide direct services to our foster children, homeless and mentally ill citizens, veterans, senior citizens, I have not only some understanding of the needs of our community, but thoroughly understand that allocating dollars without accountability is simply not good government nor a sound business practice. I’ve worked with the business and philanthropic sectors to partner with service providers so that the children, families, grandparents raising grandchildren can be uplifted.”
The many initiatives Judge Sakai has led from those stated above to Children’s Court, Family Drug Court, Early Childhood Court, and the College Bound Docket allowed Sakai to accomplish these innovations from support from the Commissioners Court and the Bexar County Legislative Delegation. The alliances and leadership Sakai proved throughout his career is hard to emulate.
So many of Sakai’s family’s experiences put him on the road to ‘defend the Constitution and the Rule of Law’. Watching Sakai and his passion for justice his family knew he would go far. He graduated from The University of Texas in 1976 with a bachelor’s degree and then The University of Texas School of law in 1979 with his law degree.
Judge Sakai has served Bexar County since 1983 starting as an unanimously appointed Appellate Assistant D.A. in the Bexar County DA’s office. He was quick to climb the ladder. After a successful solo law office, 1995 came and Sakai was elected as the Associate Judge of the Children’s Court. As the Judge of the 225th State District Court, Sakai was encouraged by colleagues and the community to run for the 225th bench which he held while also getting re-elected to keep the bench. A few of Sakai’s highlights during his tenure have been The Family Drug Court, Early Childhood Court and the College Bound Docket which are all proven examples of his visionary leadership. The plethora of programs and initiatives have empowered parents and improved the justice system, becoming nationally recognized and awarded models across the United States.
After stepping down from the 225th last year, Sakai says, he ‘stepped down from his bench to STEP UP to run for County Judge’. His desire to work with the Commissioners Court and city and county leaders will improve our city in ways of the economy and business sector all while bringing our justice system back up to speed. He desires to improve the health, wellness and safety of the residents in the county while also focusing on neglected infrastructure like housing, access to the internet and transportation.
The Observer spoke with Judge Sakai asking him where he stands on the following issues:
Observer: If elected, what would your mission be as the County Judge? What is the most important issue facing the next Bexar County Judge?
Judge Sakai: As Bexar County Judge, my mission will be to address the Bexar Necessities – a bold, but back to basics approach that includes:
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT- I am committed to helping the business sector of the County to recover from the impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic by finding vibrant solutions to address the employment challenges through private/public partnerships. To thrive, we need to build and nurture the County’s entrepreneurial spirit, unleash its citizenry’s creative potential to create living wages by fostering small scale manufacturing, tech-base businesses and partnering with the area chambers of commerce and nonprofit councils. The backbone of our local economy is based on the efforts of our small businesses. It will be important to support them as they also work to pivot their business focus or revitalize their business plan with the help of local resources.
INFRASTRUCTURE – The COVID-19 pandemic taught us that infrastructure is the lynchpin to successfully addressing the challenges brought on by a disaster or health threat such as the pandemic. My goal around infrastructure is to facilitate easy access to infrastructure related services and hold ALL affected departments accountable to maximize taxpayers’ return on their investment.
HOUSING is a critical issue for Bexar County. It is a complex issue because most people would agree that home ownership is one vital to address generational poverty and improve the quality of life for our neighbors. As County Judge, I will continue to support and enhance the County’s role and leadership in commissions, work groups and work closely with community-based providers and advocates to address the complicated issues regarding housing.
PUBLIC SAFETY AND JUDICIAL SYSTEM cannot work in isolation. To protect our community, the Sheriff, the District Attorney, and the Courts we must work collaboratively to ensure that our children, families, seniors, veterans, and our businesses are safe and protected. I often make the analogy of a 3-legged stool, it takes all three with the support of the Commissioners Court. There have been two in depth studies that will be published in the near future that will make recommendations regarding staffing, structure, procedures, and employee compensation. I look forward to reviewing the reports and working with the Commissioners Court to confidently implement the recommendations as the budget is developed, adopted and/or approved.
Mutual Respect, Diversity, and Inclusiveness – As the leader of Bexar County, I will treat all stakeholders with respect and give them the dignity they deserve. And as the first Asian American County Judge, I believe diversity is one of our great strengths. Bexar County needs to be recognized as one of the best places to raise children because of our pride in being a multicultural community that values its heritage and those of its multi-ethnic citizens.
Inclusiveness is the benchmark for progress. Communities must evolve to be human-centered and designed by and for its citizens, promoting mass participation in the collaborative process following open government policies.
Observer: Should any part of the County Budget be shielded from cuts? If so, which areas?
Judge Sakai: The 2022-2023 Bexar County Budget will be reviewed, adopted/approved by the current County Judge and four County Commissioners. So, when the County Judge is sworn in on January 1, 2023, the budget will have been guiding the County’s spending for 3 months.
But, as County Judge, I am a strong proponent of a back-to-basics spending, not legacy projects or spending without evaluation of the return of investment and the impact it has on our taxpayers. I will make sure that the County’s Budget Office conducts performance reviews of the County Offices and Departments using metrics and analytics.
I will work with each of the four County Commissioners to host/present the 2023-2024 Budget to our taxpayers through a series of Budget Townhall Meetings in each Precinct which will be live-streamed and posted on the County’s website for easy access and to promote fiscal transparency. I will promote greater community engagement and trust in County government by improving accessibility and simplifying the adoption process.
Observer: What part of the county Government would receive more attention if you were elected?
Judge Sakai: As the elected County Judge of the 4th largest County in Texas and the 16th largest nationally, with more than 5,000 employees in 25 county offices or departments, my first 100 Days (starting on Monday, November 14-February 28) will be meeting with the leadership team for each department/office to get to know them and hear their thoughts on efficiency, effectiveness, community accessibility, diversity, inclusivity, and customer service.
The most important and crucial department is that of the County Manager because it directly oversees all the other departments and is accountable to the County Judge and the four County Commissioners.
My initial focus will be on the following major areas:
– Public Safety- Sheriff’s Office, Jail, District Attorney’s Office, and the Courts.
– Resident Resources and Services- Economic Development, Small Business Enterprise, and health and wellness through University Hospital System.
– Bexar County Tax Office- Develop a comprehensive plan with the County Commissioners to lower taxes by working with the Bexar County Legislative Delegation, Bexar County Appraisal District, and State Comptroller.
Bexar County deserves a leader like Judge Peter Sakai. Someone who understands many different facets of life. Judge Sakai brings the experience to the table with the expertise and historical relationships needed to lead as the County Judge. After 26 years as a Judge- Sakai is the guy. Visit https://judgepetersakai.com/ to read more about Judge Peter Sakai.
Early voting is Monday, October 24th – Friday, November 4th. Election day is Tuesday November 8th.
