2 City Council Members Meet in San Antonio Mayoral Runoff

Two City Council members who captured first and second place in a mayoral election that toppled incumbent Mayor Lila Cockrell met in a runoff Saturday to decide who will run the nation’s 10th-largest city.

Maria Berriozabal finished with 31% of the vote in the May 4 election, ahead of Nelson Wolff who had 26%. Cockrell finished third in a field of 11 with 21%.

The runoff was required since no candidate received more than 50% of the vote. The winner is elected to a two-year term.

Cockrell did not endorse either candidate in the nonpartisan runoff. Gov. Ann Richards expressed her support for Berriozabal, but did not actively campaign for her.

If elected, Berriozabal would be the first Latino woman mayor of a major U.S. city.

Cockrell, who also served as mayor from 1975 to 1981, was the first woman mayor of San Antonio and the first of a major Texas city. She attributed her most recent defeat after only one term to a desire for change on the part of the voters.

While the campaign leading up to the election centered on a controversial $180-million water reservoir, the runoff debate focused on other issues.

Berriozabal, 50, a council member for 10 years, stressed the importance of restoring trust in government. She also emphasized education.

Wolff, also 50, a council member for four years and a former state legislator, criticized Berriozabal for saying an 8% tax increase would be needed next year. He said he would hold taxes to the rate of inflation.

Wolff also attacked Berriozabal for opposing tax abatements and other programs that he said are needed to attract new businesses.