SAN ANTONIO — For the first time in 21 years, a new Bexar County judge will head the Commissioners Court.
Peter Sakai, a Democrat elected by a comfortable margin in November, was sworn in before a crowd of notables including fellow judges, friends and family on Sunday.
The ceremony, held in the District Court’s double-height courtroom, a large ceremonial room, was steeped in allusions to Sakai’s Asian origins. He is the first Asian American to serve as a judge in Bexar County.
Sakai stood on the dais, arms crossed, while brightly dressed lion dancers from the San Antonio Lion Dance Association danced around the courtroom to the pounding drums and cymbals.
Sakai was accompanied by his wife, Raquel “Rachel” M. Dias-Sakai, and family members as he was sworn in by US District Judge Orlando L. Garcia. Sakai took the oath with a hand placed on his father Pete Yutaka Sakai’s 1957 Bible.
“My name is Judge Peter Sakai and I am pleased to be your judge in Bexar County,” he told the crowd of more than 200.
Sakai, who defeated Republican Trish DeBerry in the Nov. 8 election, said he will focus on what he calls the “Bexar needs” — education, workforce development, public safety, public health and accountability to the citizens of Bexar County.
Before running for district judge, Sakai was a district court judge for many years. Prior to that, he was an appellate attorney with the Bexar County Attorney’s Office and an attorney in private practice.
Sakai replaces Nelson Wolff, who has served as a district judge since 2001. Wolff, 82, a former San Antonio congressman, city councilman and mayor, did not seek re-election and is retiring from politics.
Sakai said the visions of the two men were closely aligned. They worked together for much of Sakai’s tenure at the 225th Circuit Court, to which he was first elected in 2006.
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Attorney Fidel Rodriguez Jr., who served as master of ceremonies at the inauguration, recalled attending law school with Sakai and Garcia at the University of Texas at Austin. They also played baseball together.
“Peter was a winner then, and ladies and gentlemen, he’s a winner now,” Rodriguez said. “His teammates are now citizens of Bexar County, and I’m proud to announce that.”
Sakai told the audience that when he was a student at UT, there weren’t many minorities and he didn’t think he belonged.
“Judge Garcia said hold on and end it, and for that judge I am forever grateful,” Sakai said.
John Specia, a retired judge who served with Sakai on the 225th Circuit Court, called Sakai a leader in protecting children and fighting domestic violence.
“As a district judge, he will challenge the status quo,” Specia said. He praised Sakai’s ability to bring people together and encourage them to take risks to solve problems.
Sakai said his priorities as a district judge are controlling property taxes and ensuring seniors can keep their homes and pass them on to their children. He said he will also focus on housing for working people and improving community health through University Health, the county’s hospital system.
“Let’s work together for the common good. Let’s innovate, modernize, and bring more efficiency to Bexar County,” he said. “Let’s celebrate accountability, transparency and a commitment to excellence. Let’s make our community a better place to live, work and play. That is my obligation to you.”
Sakai said he is ready to chair his first Commissioners Court session, which will be held at 9 a.m. on Jan. 10
