Candidates for SA mayor give final pitches to voters

Election Day is Saturday

SAN ANTONIO – The day before early voting ends, the candidates for mayor took to the airwaves in one last effort to reach out to San Antonio voters.

Texas Public Radio hosted a debate between incumbent Mayor Ivy Taylor and Councilman Ron Nirenberg on Monday afternoon.

At the center of the debate was public safety.

Both candidates have said that's a top priority, but Nirenberg called out Taylor saying the current police contract is "structurally unbalanced."

Taylor said getting the contract done saved taxpayers millions.

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"When we determined that it was not going to get us where we needed to be, it was dragged out and was not moving the city forward," Taylor said. "That's where I intervened, to take this in a different direction and that did result in a contract. That did result in a strong relationship with police and it did result in savings."

"We have one of the lowest officers-per-capita of any big city in the country and we know we have vacancies," Nirenberg rebutted. "Now the contract that the mayor pushed onto council after interjecting herself into a mediation process achieved none of those objectives for structural balance."

Another big topic was the sanctuary cities law.

Both candidates oppose the law.

Taylor said she's not supportive with moving forward with the city's lawsuit against the state at this time.

"I've personally spoken with the mayors of Houston, Dallas and Austin regarding this issue," Taylor said. "We felt we would have more of an impact if we work together.”

"This is not a lawsuit that will cost taxpayer dollars," Nirenberg said. "There's no reason for us not to be consistent with our position and show some leadership as a city and as a community."

As the two mayoral candidates concluded their debate on TPR they asked for the voters' support.

 "I'm asking for your vote to allow me to continue serving as mayor of San Antonio," Taylor said. "If you examine my record, you can see that I build consensus, I find solutions and I get the job done for the people of San Antonio."

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"This city can do better," Nirenberg said. "You want it to do better. We need it to do better. It is growing and we need to improve the transportation and have modern transportation in the city of San Antonio. We need to grow great-paying jobs."

People can cast their ballot at early voting locations on Tuesday, which is the final day for early voting, from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Election Day is on Saturday.

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About the Author:

Stephanie Serna is a weekday anchor on Good Morning San Antonio and GMSA at 9 a.m. She joined the KSAT 12 News team in November 2009 as a general assignments reporter.