A new district attorney will take office at the start of the new year in San Antonio.
Joshua Fechter/San Antonio Express-News
At the start of the new year, a new district attorney will be in charge of the Bexar County criminal case log. But with so many questions surrounding elections and political candidates, MySA is here to answer one of the biggest: What does a district attorney do, and why does this particular election matter?
If you’ve ever been the victim of a crime or known someone charged with one, you’ve been directly affected by the Bexar County District Attorney’s Office’s decisions. The lead prosecutor makes tough calls, such as whether to pursue or seek the death penalty in capital crimes, when to allow police charges to proceed to justice through the court systems and general policies that can shape how crime is handled and perceived in San Antonio and Bexar County.
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“The Bexar County District Attorney’s Office is committed to upholding justice, protecting our community and enhancing public safety,” the DA’s office website states. “Our dedicated team of prosecutors and staff advocates for victims, holds offenders accountable, and ensures equal treatment under the law.”
What does the Bexar County district attorney do?
The District Attorney’s Office has significant power over the criminal justice system in San Antonio and surrounding areas. Internal policies, whether codified or simply spoken, can determine whether officials go harder or softer on certain charges.
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Currently, Bexar County District Attorney Joe Gonzales has exercised the right in Texas to pursue the death penalty, forming a committee of leaders to weigh the evidence in capital cases and decide whether the death penalty is the right choice. That could change completely under a new district attorney, whether that means pursuing capital punishment more frequently or hardly ever.
Prosecutors – the attorneys representing the state in criminal cases and pursuing charges – also negotiate deals with defendants. This can significantly shape how a city or county views the severity of crimes. Lighter sentencing deals can be offered for certain charges, while other crimes may face harsher punishments or a resistance to striking a deal before trial. But the district attorney is a critical figure in determining where the office goes harder on crime and where it may or may not lighten up.
Who is running for Bexar County District Attorney in 2026?
There are three finalists on the November ballot vying to fill the seat Gonzales is vacating.
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Jason Wolff, an independent, hopes to rebuild the office with experienced staffers and more training for prosecutors. He also wants to give assistant district attorneys who work alongside the lead position more decision-making authority. He’s calling for transparency, accountability and law enforcement support.
Luz Elena Chapa, a Democrat, has prioritized crime victims in her campaign, but she’s also expressed a drive to ensure the office is fully staffed and funded. The office has suffered from an attorney shortage for years. Chapa has set her sights on the backlog of domestic violence cases and has vowed to provide trauma-informed training for prosecutors.
Ashley Foster, a Republican, promises to prioritize serious and violent crimes with an emphasis on supporting victims of those crimes. She, too, has her sights set on the backlog of cases currently plaguing the office. In terms of policies, she says she’d like to streamline the intake process, introduce clearer charging standards and implement a system to track case metrics.
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When is the Bexar County District Attorney election?
Election Day is on November 3, but registered voters (the registration deadline is October 5) can vote early between October 19 and October 30. There are nearly 60 early voting polling sites across Bexar County that will be open to registered voters from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. between October 19 and October 23. They will be open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. between October 24 and October 30, except on Sunday, October 25, when hours will shift to noon to 6 p.m.