Taxes a Key Issue for Winner in San Antonio Mayoral Runoff

Nelson Wolff, who promised to limit tax increases to the inflation rate, beat fellow City Council member Maria Berriozabal in a runoff election Saturday for mayor of the nation’s 10th-largest city.

With 99% of the precincts reporting, Wolff had 63,191 votes, or 53%, and Berriozabal had 56,641 votes, or 47%. Berriozabal, who conceded defeat, was trying to become the first Latino woman mayor of a major U.S. city.

Berriozabal and Wolff had finished first and second among 11 candidates in the city’s May 4 election. Incumbent Lila Cockrell finished third.

A runoff was required since no candidate captured 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 support for Berriozabal but did not campaign for her.

Cockrell, who also served as mayor from 1975 to 1981, 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 that 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.