James "Jim" Bethke is from Austin, Texas. He has a bachelor 27s degree in political science from the University of Texas at Tyler and a law degree from Texas Tech University.

Governor Abbott Appoints Six To Governing Board Of The Texas ...

James "Jim" Bethke has a bachelor 's degree in political science from the University of Texas at Tyler and a law degree from Texas Tech University. He lives with his wife in Austin. 

Jim is the executive director of the Bexar County Managed Assigned Counsel Office. He previously served as the executive director of the Texas Indigent Defense Commission, Harris County Justice Administration, Harris County Pretrial Services, and Lubbock Private Defender Office. He also worked as an adjunct professor at Texas Tech University (TTU) School of Law. Jim is a U.S. Army veteran.

Our Team | Bexar County, TX - Official Website

James is the executive director of the Bexar County Managed Assigned Counsel Office. He previously served as the executive director of the Texas Indigent Defense Commission, Harris County Justice Administration, Harris County Pretrial Services, and Lubbock Private Defender Office. He also worked as an adjunct professor at Texas Tech University (TTU) School of Law. Jim is a U.S. Army veteran.

Jim is currently the executive director of the Bexar County Managed Assigned Counsel Office. He was appointed to this position in November 2021. He previously served as the executive director of the Texas Indigent Defense Commission.

Who has announced a run to lead the Bexar County District ...

Jame's campaign for District Attorney in Bexar County is his first run for public office. 

As of January 22, 2026, James "Jim" Bethke’s website did not contain information on this issue.

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Meet the candidates running for office in Bexar County in 2026

Plans to prosecute violent crimes aggressively while using diversion and rehabilitation strategically, without substituting them for accountability.

Wants to use diversion and rehabilitation programs strategically for appropriate cases.

Plans to establish a  Backlog Strike Force Team to address case backlog and prioritize older cases.

Supports early case screening to expedite strong cases and decline weak cases quickly.

Supports establishing a victim communication program with dedicated contacts and timely updates.

Wants to implement office-wide training on ethics, trial readiness, and victim communication.

Plans to establish a partnership council with law enforcement for monthly briefings and case feedback.

- Wants to use diversion and rehabilitation programs strategically for appropriate cases.
- Plans to establish a  Backlog Strike Force Team to address case backlog and prioritize older cases.
- Supports early case screening to expedite strong cases and decline weak cases quickly.
- Supports establishing a victim communication program with dedicated contacts and timely updates.
- Wants to implement office-wide training on ethics, trial readiness, and victim communication.
- Plans to establish a partnership council with law enforcement for monthly briefings and case feedback.

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James "Jim" Bethke

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Jane Davis has a bachelor's degree in education from Abilene Christian University, a master's degree in education from Texas A&M University, and a law degree from St. Mary's University. She is a wife and mother and attends Los Angeles Heights Presbyterian Church.

Jane Davis recommended in crowded Democratic field for District Attorney

Jane Davis has a bachelor's degree in education from Abilene Christian University, a master's degree in education from Texas A&M University, and a law degree from St. Mary's University. She lives with her partner, Donna, and they have two children. She attends Los Angeles Heights Presbyterian Church.

Jane is the chief of the juvenile section at the Bexar County District Attorney's Office, a role she has held since 2019. She previously worked as a public school teacher, an administrator, and a track coach at Angelo State University.

Jane is currently the chief of the juvenile section at the Bexar County District Attorney's Office. She previously worked as a prosecutor in Bexar County, a public school teacher, an administrator, and a track coach at Angelo State University.

Jane is currently the chief of the juvenile section of the Bexar County District Attorney's Office. She previously served as a prosecutor in Bexar County for 28 years.

Jane's campaign for District Attorney in Bexar County is her first run for public office. 

Has over 40 years of experience in criminal law and is a Democratic candidate for District Attorney in Bexar County.

As an attorney, researches, drafts, and files legal documents, and provides defense and counsel to clients, specializing in criminal law.

- As an attorney, researches, drafts, and files legal documents, and provides defense and counsel to clients, specializing in criminal law.

Supports balanced, evidence-informed reform focused on public safety and believes in holding incorrigible offenders accountable with proper sentencing.

Supports balanced, evidence-informed reform that focuses on public safety.

Supports strong, professional relationships between law enforcement and prosecutors for effective public safety.

Wants to create strong, professional relationships between law enforcement and prosecutors.

Supports appropriate sentencing for repeat offenders.

Supports increasing staffing, training, and technology resources for prosecutors.

- Supports balanced, evidence-informed reform that focuses on public safety.
- Wants to create strong, professional relationships between law enforcement and prosecutors.
- Supports appropriate sentencing for repeat offenders.
- Supports increasing staffing, training, and technology resources for prosecutors.

As of January 22, 2026, Jane Davis’s website did not contain information on this issue.

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Jane Davis

Believes that improvement can be made within the criminal justice system to strengthen community protection, emphasizing the importance of research on recidivism, criminogenic factors, and rehabilitation in decision-making.

I live and work here; I m raising my family here.

Luz was born in El Paso, Texas. She is a dual-alum of St. Mary’s University, where she earned her bachelor's and law degrees. She is a mother of three children and has lived in San Antonio for over 21 years.

Luz Elena is the Bexar County District Attorney. She previously worked as a judge for the Texas Fourth District Court of Appeals, an attorney for Chapa Law Group, P.C., and an attorney for Chapa & Nevarez, P.C. She also served as an attorney for Hartline, Dacus, Barger, Dreyer & Kern, L.L.P. 

Luz Elena Chapa - Ballotpedia

Former Justice Luz Elena Chapa files for Bexar County DA

Luz previously worked as a judge for the Texas Fourth District Court of Appeals, an attorney for Chapa Law Group, P.C., and an attorney for Chapa & Nevarez, P.C. She also served as an attorney for Hartline, Dacus, Barger, Dreyer & Kern, L.L.P. 

Luz previously served as an appellate judge.

Luz Elena Chapa previously served as an appellate judge.

Shut out of the courthouse in blue Bexar County, Republicans ...

As a justice on the Fourth Court of Appeals, she authored nearly 1,400 opinions, approximately 600 of which were in criminal cases. Only one of her criminal opinions was overturned by a higher court.

As a civil litigator at a law firm, she researched, drafted, and filed legal documents, specializing in product liability.

- As a justice on the Fourth Court of Appeals, she authored nearly 1,400 opinions, approximately 600 of which were in criminal cases. Only one of her criminal opinions was overturned by a higher court.
- As a civil litigator at a law firm, she researched, drafted, and filed legal documents, specializing in product liability.

Plans to address mass incarceration, mental health resources, and restorative justice practices.

- Plans to address mass incarceration, mental health resources, and restorative justice practices.

As of January 22, 2026, Luz Elena Chapa’s website did not contain information on this issue.

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Luz Elena Chapa

Angelica “Meli” Carrión Powers | 2026 candidate for Bexar County District Attorney

Meli Carrion Powers is originally from Port Lavaca, Texas. She earned her bachelor’s degree from the University of Texas at Austin and her law degree from St. Mary’s University School of Law. Meli lives in San Antonio with her family.

Meli currently works as Chief of the Family Violence Division in the Bexar County District Attorney’s Office. She previously worked as an Assistant Criminal District Attorney in the Bexar County District Attorney’s Office, as an Assistant City Attorney for the City of San Antonio, and as a Regional Attorney for the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services.

Meli Carrion Powers - Ballotpedia

Meli's campaign for Bexar County District Attorney is her first run for public office.

Has 24 years of courtroom experience, with 18 years focused on domestic violence and child abuse.

 As a bureau chief of the district attorney’s office, she directs the assignment of cases to prosecutors, maintains records on cases, works with law enforcement in ongoing investigations, develops trial strategy, and advises the district attorney on criminal prosecutions.

As Division Chief in the DA’s Office, led over 100 prosecutors and staff while enhancing support for survivors.

She previously served as an Assistant Criminal District Attorney in the Bexar County District Attorney’s Office. As an assistant district attorney, prosecuted civil and criminal cases under state law on behalf of the district attorney’s office, supervised legal and clerical staff, and conducted interviews with victims and witnesses in ongoing cases.

As an attorney, has tried some of the toughest cases in Bexar County, including violent crimes and capital murder.

She also previously worked as an Assistant City Attorney for the City of San Antonio. As a city assistant law director, provided legal counsel and representation to the city and its officials, prepared legal opinions and responses for the law department, conducted interviews, reviewed records, and developed case strategy for prosecutions handled by the city.

As a trainer, has educated thousands of professionals statewide and nationally on domestic violence and child abuse.

She served as a Regional Attorney for the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services. As a government attorney, prosecuted civil cases under state law, advised state agencies on legal matters, conducted legal research and document drafting, and represented the agency in court proceedings involving child abuse and neglect.

-  As a bureau chief of the district attorney’s office, she directs the assignment of cases to prosecutors, maintains records on cases, works with law enforcement in ongoing investigations, develops trial strategy, and advises the district attorney on criminal prosecutions.
- She previously served as an Assistant Criminal District Attorney in the Bexar County District Attorney’s Office. As an assistant district attorney, prosecuted civil and criminal cases under state law on behalf of the district attorney’s office, supervised legal and clerical staff, and conducted interviews with victims and witnesses in ongoing cases.
- She also previously worked as an Assistant City Attorney for the City of San Antonio. As a city assistant law director, provided legal counsel and representation to the city and its officials, prepared legal opinions and responses for the law department, conducted interviews, reviewed records, and developed case strategy for prosecutions handled by the city.
- She served as a Regional Attorney for the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services. As a government attorney, prosecuted civil cases under state law, advised state agencies on legal matters, conducted legal research and document drafting, and represented the agency in court proceedings involving child abuse and neglect.

Eight candidates to face off in Bexar County district attorney debate ...

Supports prioritizing violent crime and holding dangerous offenders accountable.

Advocates for a victim-centered and trauma-informed approach to prosecution.

Believes in reducing case backlogs and improving prosecutorial efficiency.

Supports incarceration for serious offenses and diversion for certain non-violent crimes.

- Supports prioritizing violent crime and holding dangerous offenders accountable.
- Advocates for a victim-centered and trauma-informed approach to prosecution.
- Believes in reducing case backlogs and improving prosecutorial efficiency.
- Supports incarceration for serious offenses and diversion for certain non-violent crimes.

As of January 22, 2026, Meli Carrion Powers’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Meli Carrion Powers

-  As a bureau chief of the district attorney’s office, she directs the assignment of cases to prosecutors, maintains records on cases, works with law enforcement in ongoing investigations, develops trial strategy, and advises the district attorney on criminal prosecutions.
- She previously served as an Assistant Criminal District Attorney in the Bexar County District Attorney’s Office. As an assistant district attorney, prosecuted civil and criminal cases under state law on behalf of the district attorney’s office, supervised legal and clerical staff, and conducted interviews with victims and witnesses in ongoing cases.
- She served as a Regional Attorney for the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services. As a government attorney, prosecuted civil cases under state law, advised state agencies on legal matters, conducted legal research and document drafting, and represented the agency in court proceedings involving child abuse and neglect.

Ms. Meredith Mallonee Chacon - State Bar of Texas

Republicans turn to Patrick Von Dohlen in Bexar County Judge race

Meredith M. Chacon earned a bachelor's degree from the University of the Incarnate Word and a law degree from the St. Mary's University School of Law. Meredith lives with her husband, Ray, in San Antonio, Texas, and has two adult kids.

Meredith is an assistant district attorney in Bexar County.

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Meredith currently works as a partner for Chacon, Campbell & Alexander, PLLC. She previously worked as the director of special projects for ChildSafe, a children's advocacy center, and an assistant criminal district attorney, a legal intern, and a felony victim advocate for the Bexar County District Attorney's Office.

Meredith previously ran for Bexar County district attorney in 2022 but did not win.

Municipal elections in Bexar County, Texas (2022) - Ballotpedia

Meredith previously ran for Bexar County district attorney in 2022, but did not win.

As an assistant district attorney in the Bexar County District Attorney's Office for 15 years, prosecuted civil and criminal cases under state law on behalf of the district attorney’s office, supervised legal and clerical staff, and conducted interviews with victims and witnesses in ongoing cases.

As a partner at Chacon, Campbell & Alexander, PLLC for six years, manages key client relationships, pursues new clients, mentors junior lawyers, oversees certain areas of legal practice, and provides legal counsel and representation to clients.

- As an assistant district attorney in the Bexar County District Attorney's Office for 15 years, prosecuted civil and criminal cases under state law on behalf of the district attorney’s office, supervised legal and clerical staff, and conducted interviews with victims and witnesses in ongoing cases.
- As a partner at Chacon, Campbell & Alexander, PLLC for six years, manages key client relationships, pursues new clients, mentors junior lawyers, oversees certain areas of legal practice, and provides legal counsel and representation to clients.

Promises to strengthen collaboration with law enforcement, courts, and community partners to improve coordination and communication.

Supports a justice system that prioritizes public safety and keeps accountability and rehabilitation in mind.

- Promises to strengthen collaboration with law enforcement, courts, and community partners to improve coordination and communication.
- Supports a justice system that prioritizes public safety and keeps accountability and rehabilitation in mind.

Plans to implement 24-hour intake for prosecutors to review cases in real time to ensure cases are charged appropriately from the start.

- Plans to implement 24-hour intake for prosecutors to review cases in real time to ensure cases are charged appropriately from the start.

Meredith M. Chacon

As of January 22, 2026, Meredith M. Chacon’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Has 22 years of courtroom experience as both a prosecutor and a defense attorney.

Oscar Salinas graduated from the University of Texas.

Oscar previously ran for Bexar County district attorney in 2024 but did not win.

As a prosecutor for over a decade in Bexar County, handled cases from misdemeanors to serious felonies, emphasizing fairness, public safety, and community trust in law enforcement.

- As a prosecutor for over a decade in Bexar County, handled cases from misdemeanors to serious felonies, emphasizing fairness, public safety, and community trust in law enforcement.

Believes that safer communities are built on trust between law enforcement, prosecutors, and the community.

- Believes that safer communities are built on trust between law enforcement, prosecutors, and the community.

As of January 22, 2026, Oscar Salinas’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Oscar Salinas

Shannon Locke has a bachelor's degree in history from Macalester College and a law degree from the University of Arizona James E. Rogers College of Law. He lives with his wife, Jennifer, in San Antonio. 

Shannon is an attorney. He has served as a prosecutor for more than 10 years. He also has experience as a defense attorney.

Shannon currently works as managing partner at The Locke Law Group. He previously owned Sifuentes & Locke and worked as an assistant district attorney at the Bexar County District Attorney's Office.

Criminal defense attorney Shannon Locke announces run for Bexar County District Attorney

Shannon's campaign for District Attorney in Bexar County is his first run for public office.

Shannon Locke | 2026 candidate for Bexar County District Attorney

As a partner at The Locke Law Group, manages key client relationships, pursues new clients, mentors junior lawyers, oversees certain areas of legal practice, and provides legal counsel and representation to clients.

- As a partner at The Locke Law Group, manages key client relationships, pursues new clients, mentors junior lawyers, oversees certain areas of legal practice, and provides legal counsel and representation to clients.

Plans to expand pre-trial diversion programs addressing root causes like substance abuse.

Wants to reduce case backlog by prioritizing serious cases.

Supports creating accountability measures such as daily monitoring for diversion participants.

Supports requiring alcohol monitors in vehicles for DWI offenders to earn case dismissals

Supports incarceration for violent offenders to protect the community.

- Plans to expand pre-trial diversion programs addressing root causes like substance abuse.
- Wants to reduce case backlog by prioritizing serious cases.
- Supports creating accountability measures such as daily monitoring for diversion participants.
- Supports requiring alcohol monitors in vehicles for DWI offenders to earn case dismissals
- Supports incarceration for violent offenders to protect the community.

As of January 22, 2026, Shannon Locke’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Shannon Locke

Veronica is originally from Texas. She earned her bachelor’s degree from the University of Texas at Austin and law degree from St. Mary’s University School of Law.

Veronica is an attorney. She works at the Legarreta Law Firm, PLLC, where she has managed criminal defense and family law cases for over ten years. She previously worked as a prosecutor with the Bexar County District Attorney’s Office.

Veronica Legarreta - Ballotpedia

VERONICA LEGARRETA

Attorney Veronica Legarreta Challenges Judge Stephanie Boyd in ...

Veronica I. Legarreta previously ran for the 187th District Court seat in Bexar County in the 2018 election and did not win.

As a private practice attorney, researches, drafts, and files legal documents, and provides defense and counsel to clients, specializing in criminal defense and family law.

As an assistant state attorney, prosecuted civil and criminal cases under state law on behalf of the state attorney’s office, supervised legal and clerical staff, and conducted interviews with victims and witnesses in ongoing cases.

- As a private practice attorney, researches, drafts, and files legal documents, and provides defense and counsel to clients, specializing in criminal defense and family law.
- As an assistant state attorney, prosecuted civil and criminal cases under state law on behalf of the state attorney’s office, supervised legal and clerical staff, and conducted interviews with victims and witnesses in ongoing cases.

Believes violent offenses and repeat offenders demand firm enforcement and meaningful consequences.

Supports rehabilitative justice, including diversion programs and treatment, to address the root causes of criminal behavior.

Emphasizes the need for well-defined policies so that the community understands how prosecutorial decisions are made.

- Believes violent offenses and repeat offenders demand firm enforcement and meaningful consequences.
- Supports rehabilitative justice, including diversion programs and treatment, to address the root causes of criminal behavior.
- Emphasizes the need for well-defined policies so that the community understands how prosecutorial decisions are made.

As of January 22, 2026, Veronica I. Legarreta did not have a website or any information online.

Veronica I. Legarreta

As of January 22, 2026, Veronica I. Legarreta’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Veronica Legarreta has a bachelor's degree from the University of Texas at Austin and a law degree from St. Mary's Law School. She is a member of the San Antonio Bar Association and a Sustainer member of the Junior League of San Antonio.

Veronica is the founder of the Legarreta Law Firm, PLLC, where she focuses on criminal defense and family law matters. She previously worked as a criminal defense attorney and a prosecutor with the Bexar County District Attorney's Office.

Veronica previously ran for Bexar County district attorney in 2026 and for Texas 187th District Court judge in 2022, but did not win. She also worked as a prosecutor with the Bexar County District Attorney's Office.

As an attorney, focused on criminal defense and family law.

- District attorneys prosecute felony criminal cases on behalf of the state, presenting them to grand juries and working closely with law enforcement during investigations.
- They also represent victims seeking protective orders and assist in removing children from abusive homes as part of their responsibilities.
- They are elected to four-year terms.
- District attorneys in Texas make between $175,000 and $220,500, based on how long they have served in office. 

Acts as the attorney for the state of Texas in felony cases.

Bexar

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