Tensions flared at a Saturday morning meeting of the Northwest Democrats when outgoing Bexar County District Attorney Joe Gonzales confronted Democratic district attorney candidate Luz Elena Chapa.
Gonzales is seen in a video from the meeting endorsing Chapa’s opponent, saying the position requires experience. An online meeting agenda shows attendees heard from runoff candidates in various races on the Bexar County Democratic ticket.
Chapa is running for district attorney against Jane Davis after previously serving as the judge for the Fourth Court of Appeals. Gonzales announced last June he would not seek reelection.
In a statement issued Saturday, Chapa said, “This morning, I was verbally attacked and berated in public by Bexar County District Attorney Joe Gonzales. At one point, he had to place his entire arm behind his back to contain his physical aggression.”
Chapa also criticized what she described as support for Gonzales’ actions from his preferred successor.
“Even more troubling, his handpicked successor spoke publicly this afternoon and doubled down on Mr. Gonzales’s outrageous behavior,” Chapa said. “She chose to remain complacent with his unprofessional conduct toward a woman, rather than denounce it.”
Chapa said the incident pushed her to speak out.
“Today, I felt compelled to not only stand up for myself and my daughters, but also for every woman in Bexar County who has felt powerless and voiceless in our justice system,” she said.
Chapa also outlined priorities she said she would pursue if elected.
“To be clear, as DA and under my new leadership, I guarantee every victim of domestic abuse and family violence will be seen and heard; the huge backlog of these cases will be tackled immediately,” Chapa said. “Victims deserve justice that has been denied to them for years. Bexar County deserves better. Change is coming, and the days of complacency are over.”
Gonzales said the reason he attended the meeting was to defend his office.
The winner of the Democratic runoff will face Ashley Foster, who secured the Republican nomination, and any independents who receive enough signatures to make the ballot.
The Bexar County District Attorney’s Office has been contacted for comment from Gonzales, but there has been no response.