Patrick Von Dohlen’s campaign for Bexar County Judge centers on four priorities: increase public safety, fix the jail crisis, audit every county dollar, and protect the Edwards Aquifer while respecting private property rights. His campaign push card brings those commitments together and asks residents to support him in the November 3, 2026, election.
Patrick’s message is straightforward: county government should focus on the services residents depend on, account for the money it spends, and respect the people it serves.
Meet Patrick Von Dohlen
Patrick is a husband, father of nine children, fifth-generation Texan, Texas A&M Class of 1992 graduate, and financial adviser. The card describes more than 28 years of advocacy as a private citizen for limited government, lower taxes, common sense, and the freedom to choose and do what is right.
As the Republican candidate for Bexar County Judge, Patrick is asking voters to bring that approach to county government. Read more about Patrick’s background and values.
Priority 1: Increase public safety
Patrick places public safety first. His push card proposes adding 1,000 county deputies and addressing inefficient management and policies so that county resources support the safety of residents.
The card connects this proposal to a broader call to overhaul county government and confront its debt burden. Patrick argues that public spending should be judged by the services and protection it delivers to the community.
Priority 2: Fix the Bexar County jail crisis
Patrick’s jail proposal calls for a complete jail operations and diversion audit, 2,000 additional jail beds, and an intermediate care center for people who do not belong in jail.
The campaign argues that management decisions deserve close scrutiny and that expanding capacity must be paired with appropriate alternatives to incarceration. Patrick’s aim is to make jail operations accountable while directing people toward the level of care they need.
These are campaign proposals. Patrick’s Contract with the Residents of Bexar County provides further detail on his audit, staffing, and intermediate care commitments and distinguishes proposals requiring Commissioners Court approval.
Priority 3: Audit every county dollar
Patrick proposes balancing the county budget, focusing on core services, and requiring every department to justify its spending. His push card sets out three questions for evaluating each expenditure:
- Is it working?
- Can we prove it’s working?
- Does it justify its full cost?
Under this approach, departments would answer those questions on the record before appropriations are approved. Patrick calls this Results Oriented Budgeting: a public standard for deciding whether a program earns continued funding.
For residents, the goal is a clearer connection between taxes paid, services received, and outcomes demonstrated. Explore Patrick’s spending and transparency commitments.
Priority 4: Protect the aquifer and respect private property rights
Patrick’s fourth priority brings together Edwards Aquifer protection and respect for private property rights. He supports careful land use decisions that account for both water stewardship and the rights of property owners.
The push card calls for candid, thoughtful policy that avoids sacrificing either concern. Patrick’s position is that responsible growth requires county leaders to consider the long-term consequences of development while respecting the people who own and use the land.
Read Patrick’s full issues platform.
The campaign’s contrast with Ron Nirenberg
The reverse panel presents the campaign’s criticism of Ron Nirenberg’s record as San Antonio mayor. It argues that his approach to government should be closely examined before voters choose the next Bexar County Judge.
The card raises concerns about:
- Government spending and taxes: City debt, taxpayer-funded programs, homeowner tax relief, and the cost and results of Ready to Work.
- Climate policy and mandates: Climate commitments, energy policy, and the burden of vehicle emissions testing.
- Business and civic decisions: Paid sick leave requirements, convention opportunities, citizen challenges to council actions, and the airport Chick-fil-A controversy.
- Public safety and immigration: Policing policy and the city’s response to migrant arrivals.
- Personal and religious freedom: COVID-era restrictions on work and worship, along with taxpayer funding for abortion-related travel.
- Water stewardship: The balance between aquifer protection and other city spending priorities.
These points summarize the campaign’s criticism; they are not presented here as independently verified findings. The original card contains its complete wording. Patrick’s proposed alternative is the four-part agenda above: safer communities, accountable jail management, disciplined spending, and responsible stewardship.
For a related issue update, read Bexar County Emissions Testing 2026: Will Your Car Pass?
Questions voters are asking
What are Patrick Von Dohlen’s main priorities for Bexar County Judge?
His push card identifies public safety, jail reform, an audit of every county dollar, and protection of the Edwards Aquifer alongside private property rights.
What does Patrick propose for the county jail?
He proposes a complete operations and diversion audit, 2,000 additional jail beds, and an intermediate care center for people who need an alternative to jail.
How would Patrick evaluate county spending?
He would ask whether each program works, whether its results can be demonstrated, and whether those results justify its full cost.
Vote in the November 3, 2026, election
The push card asks residents to make their voices heard at the ballot box. The Texas Secretary of State’s election calendar lists:
- Voter registration deadline: October 5, 2026.
- Early voting: October 19–30, 2026.
- Election Day: November 3, 2026.
Visit VoteTexas.gov for voter registration and election information.
Help share Patrick’s priorities
Read the plans, share this article, and help other residents learn what Patrick is proposing for Bexar County.