SAN ANTONIO – The top two vote-getters were separated by 11,000 votes Tuesday in the Democratic race for Bexar County sheriff.
Javier Salazar led early voting results with 43 percent, compared to about 31 percent of the votes for Andy Lopez.
Both candidates said they expected the runoff and will be ready come May 24.
"I'm not going to deviate from my plan. It's to run a clean campaign not necessarily to run against anybody, but to run for myself," said Javier Salazar.
Andy Lopez has run for sheriff before and is no stranger to runoffs.
"I was in the runoff in 2008. I was in the runoff in 2012 and I'm in the runoff now in 2016," Andy Lopez said.
Lopez also cited his 40 years of experience as a peace officer including his time with the Sheriff’s Office.
"We come from within and we know what the Sheriff’s Office is all about. We know what the people need inside. We know what the people need out in the field," said Lopez.
Salazar has spent his entire 23-year career with the San Antonio Police Department. He said experience will help him lead BCSO.
"A level of community engagement that as of right now is missing. There's been some Issues with transparency with the media and with the public and that's certainly not going to happen when I'm there. Additionally a level of connectedness with the men and women of the Sheriff’s Office that at present is less than ideal," said Salazar.
The runoff election is May 24. Early voting starts May 16.
The winner of the runoff will face Republican Sheriff Susan Pamerleau in November.