Bexar County has announced the departure of its longtime elections chief, Jacque Callanen, following consecutive legal defeats. The decision, reached after closed-door deliberations, marks a significant transition for a role that has faced heightened political scrutiny in recent years.
Callanen, tearfully addressing reporters after the meeting, revealed her intention to step down at the start of the new year. The county plans to initiate a national search for her successor in the interim period.
Amid broader political tensions over election administration in Texas, Callanen had garnered rare bipartisan support despite controversies. Her tenure was marked by legal challenges, including two lawsuits over her proposals to consolidate voting locations, both of which resulted in court orders to maintain more sites than initially planned.
The county’s Elections Commission, responsible for appointing Callanen’s replacement, met following her resignation announcement. The meeting coincided with changes in local party leadership, fostering optimism among county officials about reaching consensus on the selection of a new elections administrator.
Both Republican and Democratic county party chairs expressed confidence in collaborating to identify a suitable successor to Callanen.
