Friends and Neighbors –
As we approach the final weeks of 2025, I’m excited to share some important updates and what they mean for Bexar County. From the voter registration backlog to my recent economic development mission to Israel, there’s no slowing down. Keep reading to learn more and be sure to check out the “In the News” section.
November 4th Election
Early voting for the November 4th election is underway.
There are several issues on the ballot including 17 Texas constitutional amendments and two Bexar County propositions related to upgrading the Frost Bank Center and Freeman Coliseum (Prop. A) and funding a new multipurpose arena designed primarily for use by the San Antonio Spurs (Prop. B).
For a full breakdown of what’s on the ballot, as well as a list of polling locations and hours to go: www.bexar.org/1568/Elections-Department.
You can also confirm your registration status at www.votetexas.gov.
Early voting runs through Friday, October 31, 2025. Election Day is Tuesday, November 4th.
Voter Registration Backlog
Last month, I told you about the voter registration backlog ahead of the November 4th Election. Thankfully–all applications submitted by the October 6 deadline have now been processed and the backlog is clear. Between October 1 and October 13, the Bexar County Elections Department handled approximately 72,000 applications—65,000 received from the Texas Department of Public Safety and 7,000 through the U.S. Postal Service.
To meet the surge, Elections hired additional staff, with 82 full-time, part-time, and temporary employees working long shifts daily until the backlog was resolved.
It remains to be seen, however, when the Elections Department will present a contract for VR Systems–the voter registration add-on system that my colleagues approved (in a 4-1 vote) in September. As the sole “no” vote, I believe approving this system was premature. VR Systems did not solve the immediate backlog. Instead, we used the state’s free TEAM system, which already serves more than 230 counties. Now that the backlog has been cleared, we should evaluate whether additional tools are needed before spending millions of dollars on additional tools.
Taxpayers deserve a thoughtful, fact-based approach. I will continue to keep you posted on this issue.
Israel Trade Mission
Earlier this month, I had the opportunity to represent Bexar County on a trade mission to Israel. The purpose of this trip was to strengthen international partnerships and promote San Antonio as a competitive destination for business and innovation.
We focused on several key sectors—defense technology, cybersecurity, health, innovation, and advanced manufacturing. Throughout the week, we met with government leaders and top companies that are driving global innovation in these fields.
A few highlights: we met with Mobileye, the world leader in autonomous vehicle technology; Cytactic, a firm specializing in cybersecurity and live crisis simulations; BATM, a defense and encryption company exploring U.S. relocation; and NoTraffic, whose smart traffic systems are already operating in several Texas cities. Each expressed genuine interest in working with our local partners, including Greater SATX, Port San Antonio, and BioMedSA.
We also met with Forsee Genomics, a biotechnology company developing cancer diagnostics, and connected them with BioMedSA to explore future collaboration here in Bexar County.
On the innovation front, we built relationships with Start-Up Nation Central and the Israeli Innovation Institute; organizations that link Israeli startups to global markets.
These connections could lead to a future Israeli delegation visit to San Antonio in 2026, creating even more opportunities for partnership.
We also met with senior government officials, including Deputy Foreign Minister Sharren Haskell and members of the Knesset, to reinforce our shared commitment to economic and technological collaboration.
Overall, the mission was a huge success. We raised San Antonio’s profile on the global stage, identified defense tech, cyber, and health tech as priority sectors for follow-up, and opened doors that can bring meaningful investment and innovation to our region.
I want to thank Bexar County Economic and Community Development staff and our partners at Greater SATX, Port San Antonio, and BioMedSA for their support and follow-up efforts as we continue building on the momentum from this mission.
DHA Update
I’m excited to share progress on a project I’ve been working closely on—one that could bring up to 1,000 jobs to Bexar County.
The County, in partnership with the City of San Antonio, the State of Texas, and our federal partners, is working to renovate the historic South Beach building at Fort Sam Houston and transform it into additional administrative offices for the Defense Health Agency (DHA).
This multi-million dollar project has been years in the making. Both the County and the City have each pledged $10 million, and last week Commissioners Court approved submitting a $5 million grant application to the Governor’s Office. The City has also applied for a separate $5 million grant. If both are approved, we’ll have the final funding needed to bring this long-awaited project to life.
Confirmed Rabies Cases in North Bexar County
Bexar County Animal Care has confirmed several cases of rabies in our area, and we want to make sure you know what to watch out for.
What to look for:
- Strange behavior: A normally friendly pet may suddenly become aggressive, or a shy pet may become withdrawn. Wild animals that are usually out at night may show up in the middle of the day and seem unusually bold.
- Paralysis: Rabies can cause an animal to lose control of its back legs or jaw. They may stagger, look “drunk,” or be unable to walk.
- Other warning signs: Not eating, pawing at the mouth, seizures, difficulty swallowing, eating non-food objects, or even extreme reactions to touch or sound.
If you are ever bitten or scratched by an animal:
- Wash the area right away with soap and water.
- Call 911 or the Sheriff’s Office to report it.
- Contact Bexar County Animal Control to file a bite report.
The best defense is prevention. Texas law requires pets to be vaccinated against rabies by the time they’re 4 months old. Our Animal Care team continues to provide rabies vaccines and testing for animals that may be infected.
If you suspect an animal may have rabies, call 210-335-9000.
Recent Events
National Night Out/ San Antonio Neighbors Together 2025
Our Pct. 3 Team joined communities across North Bexar County for National Night Out /San Antonio Neighbors Together earlier this month, connecting with neighbors and first responders dedicated to keeping us safe.
It was great to see folks out at Shavano Park, Fox Grove, Emerald Forest, Roseheart, Olmos Park, Terrell Hills, Alamo Heights, Willis Ranch, Fair Oaks Ranch, Blossom Park, and Greater Harmony Hills!
Thank you to all those who invited us to be a part of your night and for working to strengthen the bond between law enforcement and our neighborhoods.
Boards and Commissions Breakfast
This month, I had the privilege of hosting our Boards & Commissions Appointees Breakfast. These leaders serve on behalf of Pct. 3, giving their time and expertise to strengthen our community.
This event was all about saying thank you for their service, hearing updates on the important issues they’re working on, and having honest conversations about how we can continue moving Pct. 3 forward. I’m grateful for their commitment!
100 Club of San Antonio Annual Spaghetti Dinner & Meatball Rolling
I helped kick off the 27th Annual 100 Club of San Antonio Spaghetti Dinner by joining the meatball rolling with my three kids at the Christopher Columbus Italian Society.
This event is about more than a great meal—it’s about supporting our local first responders and honoring the families of our fallen heroes. The 100 Club does incredible work, and every plate purchased or donation made goes directly to that mission.
Two-Steppin’ for Club Kids
I had a great time two-steppin’ with my kids at the Two-Steppin’ for Club Kids event — all for a great cause supporting the Boys & Girls Clubs of San Antonio.
I’m always inspired by the impact the Boys & Girls Clubs have on young people in our community—providing a safe and supportive space for thousands of local children, offering mentorship, academic programs, and opportunities that help them reach their full potential.
UTSA Beam Signing
There’s exciting progress at UTSA – The University of Texas at San Antonio!
I had the honor of signing the final beam for the new UTSA basketball and volleyball facility, which is now about 10 months away from completion. This project will provide our student-athletes with a world-class space to train, compete, and represent San Antonio on the national stage.
Proud to support UTSA and the continued growth of our Roadrunner community. Birds up!
