John Lujan
The San Antonio Express-News editorial board has endorsed Republican John Lujan III over Democrat Tomas Uresti for election to the unexpired term of former Rep. Joe Farias (D-San Antonio). Lujan, an information technology business owner and retired firefighter, received 28% of the vote in the special election, 6 points ahead of Uresti, a Harlandale ISD trustee. Farias’s son Gabe finished third with 19% and is running against Uresti for the Democratic nomination for a full term.
Strong Republican turnout has played significant roles in a series of local and special elections in Bexar Co. over the past two years. In two high-profile races between Democrats, Republican primary voters helped elevate Mayor Ivy Taylor over former Sen. Leticia Van de Putte and then-Rep. Jose Menendez over Rep. Trey Martinez Fischer. A Republican made the HD123 special runoff election. In HD118, Republican candidates captured 46% of the vote.
Early voting begins Wednesday and ends Friday. The special runoff election is January 26. Buzz among Republican voters and the continued split between Farias and Uresti could result in this seat flipping, at least temporarily, to the Republicans.
