People interested in the Precinct 3 commissioners seat can now apply to be appointed to serve for the rest of 2022 by Bexar County Judge Nelson Wolff.
Commissioner Trish DeBerry (Pct. 3) effectively resigned from her office when she filed to run for county judge on Dec. 13. Texas law states that county commissioners who declare candidacy for another elected office more than one year and 30 days ahead of the end of their current term automatically resign, a rule also known as “resign to run.”
Wolff is charged with appointing an interim replacement for DeBerry, who took office in January. The interim replacement will serve through the end of 2022.
“It is of vital importance that Precinct 3 continues to be represented until a qualified interim County Commissioner is appointed,” Wolff said in a statement Tuesday. “Until that time, County Commissioner Trish DeBerry will continue to represent Precinct 3 and serve in a hold-over status.”
Wolff originally said his deadline to appoint an interim Precinct 3 commissioner would be 60 days from DeBerry’s automatic resignation, or by Feb. 11. He now plans to appoint someone by early January.
In order to be considered for the Precinct 3 seat, Wolff is asking potential candidates to email a resume and statement of interest to his chief of staff Nicole Erfurth at nicole.erfurth@bexar.org. Applications are due by noon on Dec. 31.
“I am seeking the best qualified candidate to represent this precinct,” Wolff said Tuesday. “After the deadline, I will consult with my colleagues on the Commissioners Court and will move forward from that point.”
Eligibility requirements include U.S. citizenship, being 18 years of age or older by the appointment date, living in Texas for a continuous 12 months and in Precinct 3 for six months right before the appointment date, and being a registered voter in the district.
Voters will choose someone to serve the rest of DeBerry’s term in the next November election, which is set to expire in 2024.
The secretary of state’s office said Friday that the Precinct 3 race will not be on the March primary, despite an earlier directive to extend candidate filing for the office. Instead, the county parties will each choose a nominee to run in the November general election.
