Since its establishment in 1836, Bexar County has undergone a remarkable transformation. From its humble beginnings as a part of the Republic of Texas to its current status as the 24th largest metropolitan area in the United States, Bexar County has seen its fair share of political power shifts. This article will explore the evolution of political power in Bexar County, from its early days to the present. The history of Bexar County dates back to December 20, 1836, when it was first established as part of the Republic of Texas. After Texas became a state, 128 counties were separated from the area.
On December 22, 1836, the new Texas government formed the Bexar County government, with San Antonio as the county seat. Then, on July 3, 1837, Texas officially organized Bexar County with a Chief Justice as the chief executive. Later, the position of county judge would replace the Chief Justice as head of the county government. European visitors had been arriving since the 1520s, but on June 13, 1691, an official Spanish expedition arrived at a waterway in the southern part of present-day Bexar County. This marked the beginning of a long history of Spanish and Mexican influence in the area.
The Texas State Seal inspired the Bexar County Seal and Coat of Arms. In 2021, Peter Sakai took office as Bexar County Judge after more than two decades in office by former Bexar County Judge Nelson Wolff. Sakai is calling for a thorough audit of county policies, including reviewing the county's budget process and tracking money received from the federal government during the COVID-19 pandemic. He also plans to achieve greater participation of elected officials in the budget process. Lucy Adame-Clark is currently serving as Bexar County Clerk in the Central Department of Civil Archives. During the county's last budget process, Sheriff Javier Salazar and the Bexar County Deputy Sheriffs Association accused Smith of ignoring their requests for funding positions that were frozen during the pandemic. The Soccer Complex was sold to San Antonio and Bexar County with an agreement for Spurs Sports and Entertainment to manage its facilities and field where a team would play in the United Soccer League Championship. According to 2020 census estimates, Bexar County is now home to more than 125 small Native American hunter-gatherer tribes known collectively as the Coahuiltecs. For information on how to obtain a marriage license, contact the Bexar County Clerk's Office at (2) 335-2221 or visit their website for more information.
