Viagran, Uresti head to runoff in District 3 race

SAN ANTONIO – UPDATE 11:30 p.m.:

Phyllis Viagran and Tomas Uresti will head to a runoff after neither candidate reached a majority of the votes to win the seat.

Viagran had 22.03% of the vote, with 2,260 ballots cast for the candidate.

Uresti had 14.75% of the vote, with 1,513 ballots cast for the candidate.

The runoff election will be held on June 5.

BACKGROUND

San Antonio City Council District 3 will see new leadership after the May 1 election because incumbent Rebecca Viagran has reached her limit of four terms.

The battle for District 3 is one of the five key races KSAT is watching during the May 1 election.

The following candidates are running for the District 3 seat:

• Angela Cardona
• Katherine Herrera Garza
• Ted Gonzalez
• Rodolfo Lopez
• Marcello Martinez
• Walter Murray
• Tomas Uresti
• Diana Uriegas
• Stephen Valdez
• Mark Vargas Jr.
• Rafael Vela
• Phyllis Viagran

Phyllis Viagran hopes to represent the district that her sister, the incumbent, currently serves. Tomas Uresti, a former state representative, is also bringing some name recognition to the ballot in the hopes of garnering enough votes to win the election.

As with all the other candidates, KSAT asked the District 3 candidates where they stand on the issues -- including Proposition B, homelessness and city cleanup plans. The topics were chosen out of more than 400 questions submitted.

KSAT Explains: Proposition B in San Antonio

Mark Arthur Vargas Jr., an educator, said he sought both sides of the issue before making his decision on Proposition B, which calls for the repeal of Chapter 174. The law currently allows police unions to collectively bargain while keeping in place the rule that says officers can’t strike or stage a lockout.

“I took time to meet with both the San Antonio Police Officers’ Association and FixSAPD to hear both arguments. After doing so, I came to the conclusion that we should not let police accountability be up for negotiation. Because of this, I am voting Yes for Prop B,” he told KSAT in a written statement.

Katherine Herrera Garza said she believes repealing Chapter 174 won’t help improve existing procedures at SAPD for more officer accountability.

“I am against Prop B. I do not believe that repealing Ch. 174 will improve police accountability but instead will cause a breakdown of SAPD, which will negatively impact our community. I am all for improving upon existing procedures, but do not think that a full repeal of Ch 174 is the way to go,” Herrera Garza told KSAT in a written statement.

When it comes to the homelessness issue in San Antonio, Tomas Uresti says his plan involves giving new life to properties owned by the city for housing purposes.

“Taking city owned facilities or obtaining them and renovating to adhere the housing needs of the homeless. Within these facilities assessments of possible mental health, substance abuse or other possible causes keeping individuals from obtaining their own housing be assessed getting assistance that will hopefully help them to get back on track,” Uresti told KSAT in a written statement.

Phyllis Viagran says she believes the city could use an ID recovery program that is well-organized to help the homeless get back on their feet.

“There is no one fix all solution and it is going to take a national, state, and community collaborative approach. The City needs to work in coordination with other departments and local nonprofits and organizations to uplift and help those experiencing homelessness. We need a robust ID recovery program as well as coordinated needle exchange efforts,” Phyllis Viagran told KSAT in a written statement.

Click here to learn where the candidates stand on city cleanup issues and the plans they want to implement if elected.

Two of the candidates have raised more than $11,000 each, with Phyllis Viagran and Marcello Martinez edging out their challengers in political contributions. See a breakdown below:

With an extensive list of candidates in this race, a runoff is likely. The two challengers who garner the most votes will go head to head to elect the winner of the seat.

Check back in this article as the race develops for updated vote counts. Get immediate updates by signing up for our free elections newsletter.