As Democrats across the country attempt to turn the manuscript on criminal offense, they might quickly lean on long time Bexar Region Constable’s Replacement tossing his name in the hat for an uphill legislative race.
” I see the existing management utilizing police, my occupation, as a political tool to separate neighborhoods instead of joining them,” stated Johnny Garcia, a professional replacement with the Bexar Region Constable’s Workplace and its existing public info police officer.
Garcia introduced strategies to compete the recently redrawn Texas 35th Congressional Area Thursday night at Taqueria Mexico on the South Side.
The area was drastically improved under a redistricting strategy that’s being tested in court, and might play a vital duty in Republican initiatives to get extra legislative seats in Texas throughout the 2026 political election cycle.
While many Republican politicians have actually aligned for the work, up until now Democrats, that have a deep bench of chosen authorities in San Antonio have not revealed much rate of interest.
Garcia stated he was encouraged by toll plans endangering work, households dealing with healthcare and his abhorrence for the Trump management’s method to police.
” On a daily basis in my work, I inform the general public, ‘If you see something, claim something. Well, I see something, and I’m claiming something this evening,” Garcia informed advocates Thursday.
The existing area– which attaches city locations in between Austin and San Antonio– is stood for by united state Rep. Greg Casar (D-Austin), a forthright dynamic that is running in a much more Austin-centric seat after being extracted of the area.
The brand-new map would certainly change the area southward to consist of even more exurban sections of Bexar Region, producing a possibility for Republican politicians in an area that was when sturdily blue.
As the existing PIO for the constable’s workplace, Garcia’s course mirrors that of his manager, Constable Javier Salazar, that invested 23 years as a San Antonio Law enforcement officer, finishing his profession as the interactions supervisor before competing public workplace in 2016.
Salazar, the unusual dynamic constable, took place to turn into one of one of the most reliable communicators amongst the area’s chosen authorities, something he attributes partially to his time as a PIO.
” Over my 32 year profession … No work over there prepared me greater than when I was the representative,” Salazar stated while presenting Garcia at the occasion.
Garcia stated he prepares to utilize his experience as a PIO to bring “a civil service mindset” to the race, highlighting openness and access.
He likewise called his 7 years as Salazar’s representative excellent training for the work: “Responding to difficult inquiries, being clear and seeking fact.”
Unlike his manager, Garcia stated he’s even more of an “a traditional Democrat,” concentrated on recovering “traditional Autonomous concepts” and providing for functioning and middle-class households.
He likewise ensured to highlight his lengthy profession on the enforcement side prior to conforming to interactions.
” I have actually offered this area, patrolling backwoods of Bexar Region, operating in the prison, shielding and offering, and afterwards moving bent on patrol,” Garcia stated. “This is not international to me. This area is not international to me, both city or country.”
The redrawn area is about divided in between white and Latino citizens, with concerning fifty percent of the citizens staying in Bexar Region.
President Donald Trump would certainly have brought the area by 10 portion factors, and some Democrats stress it’s ended up being much more difficult than it views on paper, due to the reduced ballot tendency of the area’s citizens of shade.
” I recognize it’s an uphill struggle, however at the end of the day, daily Texans are encountering the very same facts– greater grocery store costs, gas, healthcare and real estate that’s contemporary of reach,” Garcia stated. “That equates to both sides of the aisle.”
If he makes it with the Autonomous primary, Garcia might take on an acquainted face.
State Rep. John Lujan (R-San Antonio), that turned an affordable South Side Home area over the last few years, is running, as is company owner Chris Schuchardt.
On the Autonomous side, previous mayoral enthusiastic Beto Altamirano is likewise taking into consideration the race.
Prospect declare the 2026 main political election is anticipated to open up Nov. 8, pending last court authorization of Texas’ legislative maps.
