Sakai and Nirenberg Clash Over Bexar County Judge Policies in Debate

Former San Antonio Mayor Nirenberg and current Bexar County Judge Sakai spar over Project Marvel, the Edwards Aquifer, and jail plans.

Published on Feb. 11, 2026

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The Democratic contenders for Bexar County's top elected position came out swinging during a Tuesday night debate, as Ron Nirenberg blasted incumbent Judge Peter Sakai as a flip-flopper and his opponent accusing the former mayor of environmental hypocrisy. The two candidates staked out differences on issues like the $4 billion Project Marvel development, protection of the Edwards Aquifer, and the need for a new county jail.

Why it matters

The debate is important because the winner of the Democratic primary is likely the general election shoo-in for deep blue Bexar County. The clash highlighted key policy divides between the two candidates as they vie for the powerful Bexar County Judge position.

The details

Sakai tried to distance himself from Project Marvel, the massive sports-and-entertainment district that includes a new Spurs arena, despite previously supporting the public financing for it. Nirenberg accused Sakai of not making sense, pointing out that the arena funding is tied to the larger Project Marvel development. Sakai then targeted Nirenberg over the Guajolote Ranch housing project, accusing the former mayor of allowing the San Antonio Water System to greenlight the development that threatens the Edwards Aquifer. Nirenberg denied the claim. The two also clashed over the need for a new county jail, with Sakai initially opposing it before saying he supports a 'regional jail' instead.

  • The debate took place on Tuesday night at Stable Hall in the Pearl district.

The players

Ron Nirenberg

The former mayor of San Antonio who is challenging incumbent Bexar County Judge Peter Sakai in the Democratic primary.

Peter Sakai

The current Bexar County Judge who is running for re-election against former San Antonio Mayor Ron Nirenberg.

Gina Ortiz Jones

The current mayor of San Antonio who last week denied Lennar's permit to build a wastewater plant for the controversial Guajolote Ranch development.

Barbra Gervin-Hawkins

A Texas State Representative from San Antonio who Sakai said he is working with to build a new 'regional jail'.

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What they’re saying

“Project Marvel was the city of San Antonio. That was done in secret, without the involvement of the county. I was given a 30-minute briefing last year, and that was the extent of it. I still don't know what Project Marvel is.”

— Peter Sakai, Bexar County Judge (sacurrent.com)

“Peter Sakai put [Project Marvel] on the ballot, he cut videos to support it and then was onstage saluting victory for it. I'm not sure what the 180 [degree turn] is about, but let me remind folks the arena doesn't happen without the investments that are part of Project Marvel. He knows that they're part of the funding mechanism.”

— Ron Nirenberg, Former San Antonio Mayor (sacurrent.com)

“If you build it, we will fill it … which means it will be filled with people of color, and that's still an issue that plagues our criminal justice system.”

— Peter Sakai, Bexar County Judge (sacurrent.com)

“Well, that's more breaking news. Now he wants a new jail. I thought you weren't for that.”

— Ron Nirenberg, Former San Antonio Mayor (sacurrent.com)

What’s next

The winner of the Democratic primary between Sakai and Nirenberg is likely to win the general election in the heavily Democratic Bexar County.

The takeaway

The debate highlighted the policy differences between the two candidates vying for the powerful Bexar County Judge position, with Sakai and Nirenberg staking out contrasting positions on issues like development, environmental protection, and criminal justice reform.