Bexar County Judge Peter Sakai vents over speculation ex-Mayor Ron Nirenberg wants his job

In a hypothetical matchup, a recent poll has Nirenberg winning against Sakai 52%-26%. Credit: Jade Esteban Estrada

San Antonio Mayor Ron Nirenberg can’t seem to make up his mind what his political future holds. And that’s giving Bexar County Judge Peter Sakai anxiety, or so it appears from a recent Facebook post.

On Friday, the Express-News reported that former Mayor Ron Nirenberg plans to run against Sakai in the Democratic primary and will formally announce his bid following the Nov. 4 election.

However, in an interview with Texas Public Radio (TPR) that same day, Nirenberg dismissed the story, saying he’s still considering which political office to pursue next. The termed-out mayor has also been rumored to be weighing bids for governor, the Senate and the House.

“My heart is still in public service. It’s been a very torturous discernment period for me, because there’s need everywhere, and I’m not pleased with the state of the world. I don’t think anybody is,” Nirenberg told TPR. “And, so, it’s trying to figure out where can I be most impactful. Where would I be needed the most? And so that’s kind of why I’ve been considering [a run for Bexar County Judge].”

Although Nirenberg hasn’t announced anything, the Express-News story, built around unnamed sources, was enough to send to prompt a public response from Sakai, who’s still in his first term as county judge.

Following the report, the typically media-shy Sakai fired off in a Facebook post accusing Nirenberg of dividing the local Democratic party.

“At one point Ron’s bags were packed for DC. At one point, he was running for governor, then Senator,” Sakai wrote. “Now, despite at one point telling the Express-News he wasn’t running for County Judge, it’s clear Ron never found the greener pastures he dreamed of.”

Sakai continued: “Considering the challenges we face, it’s disappointing that some would rather start fights within our Democratic party than work together to lift up our community.”

The judge’s lengthy social media post grabbed the attention of both local politicians and media observers.

“This is a crazy response to a rumor,” District 2 Councilman Jalen McKee-Rodriguez wrote in response.

Meanwhile, Spectrum News Reporter Jose Arredondo commented, “Local politics has kept everyone on their toes for the last 6 months.”

If Nirenberg does decide to run against Sakai, a recent poll conducted by local Democratic strategist Christian Archer has the former mayor winning 52%-26% in the theoretical matchup.

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Bexar County Judge Peter Sakai vents over speculation ex-Mayor Ron Nirenberg wants his job

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