Bexar County District Attorney Joe Gonzales announced that he will not seek reelection in 2026. Gonzales, who has served as the county’s top prosecutor since 2019, cited his desire to focus on family as the reason for his decision.
Gonzales was first elected in 2018 and reelected in 2022. During his tenure, he introduced several progressive policies, including a cite-and-release program that allows individuals accused of certain non-violent offenses to receive citations instead of arrest.
His office has faced criticism over a backlog of cases, which Gonzales has acknowledged and addressed with ongoing efforts.
With 18 months left in his current term, Gonzales’s announcement opens the field for new candidates ahead of the 2026 election. No official candidates have declared their intention to run as of now.