James "Jim" Bethke

LinkedIn

Facebook

Walter Ley

James "Jim" Bethke is from Austin, Texas. He has a bachelor 27s degree in political science from the University of Texas at Tyler and a law degree from Texas Tech University.

Governor Abbott Appoints Six To Governing Board Of The Texas ...

Jim is the executive director of the Bexar County Managed Assigned Counsel Office. He previously served as the executive director of the Texas Indigent Defense Commission, Harris County Justice Administration, Harris County Pretrial Services, and Lubbock Private Defender Office. He also worked as an adjunct professor at Texas Tech University (TTU) School of Law. Jim is a U.S. Army veteran.

Our Team | Bexar County, TX - Official Website

Jim is currently the executive director of the Bexar County Managed Assigned Counsel Office. He was appointed to this position in November 2021. He previously served as the executive director of the Texas Indigent Defense Commission.

Who has announced a run to lead the Bexar County District ...

As of January 22, 2026, James "Jim" Bethke’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Legal Experience

Plans to prosecute violent crimes aggressively while using diversion and rehabilitation strategically, without substituting them for accountability.

Public Safety

Consumer Protection

Jane Davis

Jane Davis has a bachelor's degree in education from Abilene Christian University, a master's degree in education from Texas A&M University, and a law degree from St. Mary's University. She is a wife and mother and attends Los Angeles Heights Presbyterian Church.

Jane is the chief of the juvenile section at the Bexar County District Attorney's Office, a role she has held since 2019. She previously worked as a public school teacher, an administrator, and a track coach at Angelo State University.

Jane is currently the chief of the juvenile section of the Bexar County District Attorney's Office. She previously served as a prosecutor in Bexar County for 28 years.

Jane Davis | 2026 candidate for Bexar County District Attorney - San ...

Has over 40 years of experience in criminal law and is a Democratic candidate for District Attorney in Bexar County.

Believes improvement can be made within the criminal justice system to strengthen community protection, emphasizing the importance of research on recidivism, criminogenic factors, and rehabilitation in decision-making.

Supports balanced, evidence-informed reform focused on public safety and believes in holding incorrigible offenders accountable with proper sentencing.

Supports strong, professional relationships between law enforcement and prosecutors for effective public safety.

As of January 22, 2026, Jane Davis’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Luz Elena Chapa

Twitter

Instagram

I live and work here; I m raising my family here.

Luz Elena is the Bexar County District Attorney. She previously worked as a judge for the Texas Fourth District Court of Appeals, an attorney for Chapa Law Group, P.C., and an attorney for Chapa & Nevarez, P.C. She also served as an attorney for Hartline, Dacus, Barger, Dreyer & Kern, L.L.P. 

Luz Elena Chapa - Ballotpedia

Former Justice Luz Elena Chapa files for Bexar County DA

Luz previously served as an appellate judge.

As of January 22, 2026, Luz Elena Chapa’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Plans to address mass incarceration, mental health resources, and restorative justice practices.

Meli Carrion Powers

Has 24 years of courtroom experience, with 18 years focused on domestic violence and child abuse.

As Division Chief in the DA’s Office, led over 100 prosecutors and staff while enhancing support for survivors.

As an attorney, has tried some of the toughest cases in Bexar County, including violent crimes and capital murder.

As a trainer, has educated thousands of professionals statewide and nationally on domestic violence and child abuse.

As of January 22, 2026, Meli Carrion Powers’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Meredith M. Chacon

Meredith is an assistant district attorney in Bexar County.

Meredith previously ran for Bexar County district attorney in 2022 but did not win.

Municipal elections in Bexar County, Texas (2022) - Ballotpedia

Has 22 years of courtroom experience as both a prosecutor and a defense attorney.

As of January 22, 2026, Meredith M. Chacon’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Oscar Salinas

Oscar Salinas graduated from the University of Texas.

Oscar previously ran for Bexar County district attorney in 2024 but did not win.

As a prosecutor for over a decade in Bexar County, handled cases from misdemeanors to serious felonies, emphasizing fairness, public safety, and community trust in law enforcement.

Believes that safer communities are built on trust between law enforcement, prosecutors, and the community.

As of January 22, 2026, Oscar Salinas’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Shannon Locke

Shannon is an attorney. He has served as a prosecutor for more than 10 years. He also has experience as a defense attorney.

As of January 22, 2026, Shannon Locke’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Veronica I. Legarreta

Veronica Legarreta has a bachelor's degree from the University of Texas at Austin and a law degree from St. Mary's Law School. She is a member of the San Antonio Bar Association and a Sustainer member of the Junior League of San Antonio.

Veronica is the founder of the Legarreta Law Firm, PLLC, where she focuses on criminal defense and family law matters. She previously worked as a criminal defense attorney and a prosecutor with the Bexar County District Attorney's Office.

Veronica previously ran for Bexar County district attorney in 2026 and for Texas 187th District Court judge in 2022, but did not win. She also worked as a prosecutor with the Bexar County District Attorney's Office.

As of January 22, 2026, Veronica I. Legarreta’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Veronica is an attorney. She works at the Legarreta Law Firm, PLLC, where she has managed criminal defense and family law cases for over ten years. She previously worked as a prosecutor with the Bexar County District Attorney’s Office.

Veronica Legarreta - Ballotpedia

VERONICA LEGARRETA

Attorney Veronica Legarreta Challenges Judge Stephanie Boyd in ...

Veronica I. Legarreta previously ran for the 187th District Court seat in Bexar County in the 2018 election and did not win.

As an attorney, focused on criminal defense and family law.

As a private practice attorney, researches, drafts, and files legal documents, and provides defense and counsel to clients, specializing in criminal defense and family law.

As an assistant state attorney, prosecuted civil and criminal cases under state law on behalf of the state attorney’s office, supervised legal and clerical staff, and conducted interviews with victims and witnesses in ongoing cases.

- District attorneys prosecute felony criminal cases on behalf of the state, presenting them to grand juries and working closely with law enforcement during investigations.
- They also represent victims seeking protective orders and assist in removing children from abusive homes as part of their responsibilities.
- They are elected to four-year terms.
- District attorneys in Texas make between $175,000 and $220,500, based on how long they have served in office. 

Acts as the attorney for the state of Texas in felony cases.

Bexar

This sample ballot may not include all local party roles or measures on the official ballot. The listed candidates serve only within their party, and the propositions do not change the law.

Bexar District Attorney, Democratic Primary

Candidates (8)