Debate Stage Set for Democratic Candidates in Precinct 2 Commissioner Race
February 23, 2020 - San Antonio
Rodriguez vs. Rodriguez: Incumbent Justin Rodriguez and challenger Queta Rodriguez will participate in a Precinct 2 Bexar County commissioner debate on February 27 at Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church. Photo: Jade Esteban Estrada.
By B. Kay Richter - Writer, San Antonio Sentinel
The Shearer Hills/Ridgeview Neighborhood Association (SHRNA) will host a Bexar County Commissioner Precinct 2 candidate debate between incumbent Justin Rodriguez and challenger Queta Rodriguez on Thursday, February 27.
The event will take place from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church located at 600 Oblate Drive. The debate will be moderated by Glitter Political columnist Jade Esteban Estrada.
According to the event organizers, this debate is an opportunity for constituents to get to know both candidates and hear their opinions on several issues. The discussion will also include questions regarding budget, policy making, urbanization, representation, and infrastructure.
“The role of county commissioner is important to understand as he or she directly impacts our everyday life, right where we live,” said Jeph Duarte, president of SHRNA in a statement.
Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church will be the location for a February 27 Democratic debate between two Precinct 2 county commissioner candidates. Both community leaders both won a “favorable” rating from the Stonewall Democrats. Photo: Jade Esteban Estrada.
Shearer Hills Ridgeview Association is located in District 1, an area which City Councilmember Roberto Treviño has pegged as “the heart of San Antonio.” The organization serves over 5,600 homes in its three-and-a-half square mile area of neighborhood of mid-century homes built on a series of hills and offers an exceptional view of downtown.
The early voting period began February 18 and will end on February 28. Tuesday, March 3, is the primary election date. Voters will decide on the best candidate, which may prove challenging as both have a history of dedication to their West Side community.
This is Queta Rodriguez’s second time running for the Precinct 2 seat. In 2018, she advanced to a runoff with incumbent Paul Elizondo, but lost by 388 votes. In late December of 2018, Elizondo, who was only a half-year into his new term, suddenly passed away.
At the time of Elizondo’s death, then-Texas State Representative (D-125) Justin Rodriguez, who was preparing to return to Austin after the holiday break, was tapped to replace the long-serving commissioner by Bexar County Judge Nelson Wolff. On January 4, 2019, Rodriguez was sworn into office as the appointed county commissioner for Precinct 2. Although both candidates are recognizable among constituents in relation to this campaign race, neither candidate has been elected to serve in this position.
Justin Rodriguez was the former city councilman for District 7 (a seat now held by Councilmember Ana Sandoval) before he began serving on the state level. On February 11, Justin received the endorsement from the San Antonio Express-News Editorial Board.
Marine veteran and community activist Queta Rodriguez is the daughter of former District 5 City Councilwoman Lourdes Galvan, who served on the dais from 2007 to 2009. Her father, Henry Rodriguez, is the nationally-recognized founder and director of the San Antonio chapter of LULAC Concilio Zapatista 4383. Queta has been endorsed by the Tejano Democrats.
Both candidates also received a “favorable” rating from the Stonewall Democrats.
Questions for the candidates may be submitted to info.shrna@gmail.com for consideration. Questions and comments will also be accepted at the event and considered throughout the debate.
This event is free and open to the public. RSVP through Eventbrite is requested. Residents of Precinct 2 are particularly encouraged to attend.
B.Kay Richter is a San Antonio-based writer and photographer. Email her at bkay@sasentinel.com.