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<\/a><\/p>\nDemocrats\u00a0piled into this race\u00a0after\u00a0District Attorney Joe Gonzales (D), who rode into office with a class of progressive DAs elected across the country in 2018, announced plans to retire<\/a>\u00a0at the end of his term.<\/p>\n The crowded field of candidates seeking the Democratic nomination<\/a> includes: former Fourth Court of Appeals Justice\u00a0Luz Elena Chapa<\/a>\u00a0(D), prosecutors Oscar Salinas<\/a> and Angelica \u201cMeli\u201d Carri\u00f3n Powers<\/a>, who serves as chief of the Family Violence Division in the DA\u2019s office, criminal defense attorneys Veronica Legarreta<\/a>,\u00a0Shannon Locke<\/a>\u00a0and Meredith Chacon<\/a>, who ran in Republicans\u2019 DA primary in 2022, Jane Davis<\/a>, who serves as chief of the DA office\u2019s Juvenile Section, and James Bethke<\/a>, executive director of the Managed Assigned Counsel Office.<\/p>\n Early voting for the March 3 primary runs Feb. 17 through Feb. 27.<\/p>\n The Democratic primary is likely to\u00a0advance to a May 26 runoff<\/a>\u00a0between the top two vote-takers, since the winner must take at least 50% of the vote.<\/p>\n On the Republican side, former felony prosecutor Ashley Foster <\/a>will face off against the winner of the Democratic runoff in November. <\/p>\n An independent candidate, Jason Wolff, is also collecting signatures to get on the November ballot.<\/p>\n The February debate will explore each Democratic candidate\u2019s vision for the embattled District Attorney\u2019s Office and how they would exercise the significant discretion that comes with the job, from charging decisions to case prioritization and courtroom management.<\/p>\n Doors open at 5:30 p.m. and tickets are free for those\u00a0who register in advance online<\/a>. Debate sponsorships are available, as well as VIP tickets.<\/p>\n To submit a question for consideration, text the San Antonio Report at (210) 796-6853.<\/p>\n The week after the DA primary debate, Bexar County Judge Peter Sakai and Democratic primary challenger Ron Nirenberg will face off in a primary debate<\/a> Feb. 10 at Stable Hall, hosted by the Report, the Chamber and Tech Bloc.<\/p>\n