An Upstart’s Bid to Oust an Old Lion on Commissioners Court

This week on Just This, Rick and I discuss the upcoming May 22nd runoff election between two Democratic candidates for Bexar County Commissioners Court – veteran commissioner Paul Elizondo and County Veterans Service Officer Queta Rodriguez. Elizondo, who has served on the Commission for three decades, likely was surprised have to defend the seat he’s held for 30 years. But as our reporter Jeffrey Sullivan wrote this week, “a determined challenge from a political newcomer campaigning to bring new priorities and perspectives to the court has Elizondo defending his tenure and even his military service record.” We look at the issues at play in the race, including Elizondo’s longtime support from Bexar County Judge Nelson Wolff, with whom he has worked over the years on a number of major projects. Rick provides a telling history about how Wolff has taken the county judge role beyond its traditional limitations – and how he has acted more like a city mayor. Listen in for several interesting examples. We also provide an update on last week’s podcast about the San Antonio City Council’s decision in a closed-door session not to bid on the 2020 Republican National Convention. Council Greg Brockhouse has asked Bexar County District Attorney Nico LaHood to investigate whether the executive session was legal under the Texas Open Records Act, and Rick deconstructs his request.