Warrick wins SA Council Dist. 2 runoff

Newcomer will represent city's East Side

SAN ANTONIO – Alan Warrick won the runoff for the District 2 seat on the San Antonio City Council, but Tuesday night wasn't the last time he'll see Keith Toney on the same ballot.

Toney vowed to challenge Warrick in the May city election.

With 100 percent of the votes counted, Warrick received 1,786 votes to incumbent Keith Toney's 1,241 votes.

Warrick credited his victory to an aggressive campaign strategy that included a lot of leg work.

"Being able to talk to voters on street corners, on their front doorsteps -- really just being the candidate voters wanted to see in District 2 for a while," Warrick said.

Toney was appointed to the post in August. He replaced then council member Ivy Taylor who had been appointed mayor. She filled the spot left vacant by Julian Castro when he took the job of Housing and Urban Development secretary.

About 4 percent of the registered voters showed up for the runoff. The total number of votes cast was less than what either candidate received in November.

Toney said low voter turnout didn't help him at the polls.

"I think it does make it a little bit more difficult and it's a bit perplexing. I don't know why we can't motivate people to get out," Toney said. "I think both of us did the best we could."

Warrick said with the council preparing to take on tough issues -- including transportation network companies, body-worn cameras on police officers and collective bargaining negotiations -- he has little time to celebrate.

"I'm going to hit the ground running in office just like I hit the ground running with the campaign," Warrick said. "I really just want to engage the community and look for the things that unite us, not divide us."