Sheriff Javier Salazar was first sworn into office on January 1, 2017, as the 34th Sheriff of Bexar County. Before winning the sheriff’s badge he served with the San Antonio Police Department (SAPD) for twenty-three years.
He is seeking reelection to the office and is facing challenger, Republican Nathan Buchanan. Buchanan was recently a guest on The Source.
Salazar took to the national stage during the 2024 Democratic National Convention in Chicago. On the third night of the convention, he defended Vice President and Democratic presidential nominee Kamala Harris against critics who complained she hasn’t done enough to secure the southern border.
“She's gone down to Mexico and worked to stop the traffickers," he said. "And when the traffickers didn’t stop, she put ‘em in jail."
Salazar added: "When Donald Trump comes down to Texas, [he] stands next to officers in uniform just like mine. He's not there to help us — not for a second. He is a self-serving man. Just like when he killed the border bill. He just made our jobs harder."
Salazar was criticized for delivering his speech and for injecting divisive national politics into local politics.
During Salazar’s tenure with the Bexar County Sheriff’s Office, Sheriff Salazar has created several units including Adult Detention Mental Health, Contraband Abatement Team, and the Applicant Processing Unit. In the interest of community engagement and safety, he has also created the Public Integrity Unit, Mounted Patrol, and Special Victims Unit, as well as the Sheriff’s Community Oriented Response and Education (SCORE) Unit.
Guest:
Javier Salazar is the Bexar County Sheriff and is seeking reelection.
"The Source" is a live call-in program airing Mondays through Thursdays from 12-1 p.m. Leave a message before the program at (210) 615-8982. During the live show, call 833-877-8255, email thesource@tpr.org.
*This interview will be recorded on Tuesday, October 8, 2024.
