The battle for ideological control within Bexar County's political parties is evident as candidates gear up for the upcoming party chair elections slated for March 5. These unpaid, high-stakes roles will shape the strategy and direction of both the Democrats and Republicans, at a time when internal rifts appear to be deepening.
Squaring off for the Democratic chair, incumbent Monica Ramirez Alcántara defends her position against accusations ranging from campaign finance missteps to ideological misalignments. She paints the picture of a party evolving—a metamorphosis not without casualties, as some resist the change. "Over the past few elections the local Democratic Party has evolved, and when people evolve, others lose power," Samantha Hernandez, a Bexar County Democratic strategist, told the San Antonio Report. She indicates that this election could be another turning point for a party grappling with its identity.
On the other side, Republicans face an open race for party chair with outgoing Jeff McManus stepping down after a term fraught with frustration over divisiveness within the ranks. The candidates, vigorously debating at recent forums, are eager to bridge the party's fractures and reengage disillusioned voters. According to the San Antonio Report, McManus has been vocal about his displeasure, mirroring the state party's push against perceived moderates within their midst.
With Bexar County having morphed into a Democratic stronghold, both parties recognize the necessity of voter turnout for securing wins. Both Alcántara and McManus previously underscored their priorities amid early voting in the 2022 midterms. "What we are trying to remind everyone is that we just can’t sit back on our hands and hope that there’s change," Alcántara emphasized in a statement obtained by KSAT 12 News. McManus echoed the sentiment, targeting crime and inflation as prime GOP concerns.
