Rosie Speedlin Gonzalez Ousted in Bexar County Primary Following Indictment

In a major judicial shakeup on Tuesday, March 3, 2026, Bexar County Court at Law No. 13 Judge Rosie Speedlin Gonzalez lost her bid for reelection in the Democratic primary. The incumbent was soundly defeated by challenger Alicia “Ali” Perez, an immigration attorney and former prosecutor.

Primary Results: A Resounding Defeat

The race was called early Wednesday morning with Perez securing a decisive victory over the embattled judge.

• The Vote Share: Alicia Perez won roughly 65% of the vote, while Speedlin Gonzalez trailed with just 35%.
• The Challenger: Perez, a co-founder of the immigrants’ rights group SA Stands, campaigned on “restoring integrity” to the bench, positioning herself as a stable alternative to the controversy-plagued incumbent.

The Indictment That Defined the Race

The loss follows a turbulent start to 2026 for Speedlin Gonzalez, who has been effectively barred from the bench for over a month.

• The Charges: On January 29, 2026, a grand jury indicted Speedlin Gonzalez on charges of unlawful restraint (a second-degree felony) and official oppression (a misdemeanor).
• The Incident: The charges stem from a December 17, 2024, courtroom encounter where the judge allegedly ordered defense attorney Elizabeth Russell to be handcuffed and detained in the jury box after an argument.
• Suspension: Following the indictment, the State Commission on Judicial Conduct suspended Speedlin Gonzalez without pay on February 5, 2026. The commission ruled that she would remain suspended until the criminal charges are resolved.

Impact on Bexar County Judiciary

Speedlin Gonzalez was one of six San Antonio-area judges to fall in primary upsets this week, as voters appeared to favor fresh faces amid a wave of local judicial scandals and administrative backlog.

While Speedlin Gonzalez has vowed to fight the criminal charges and maintains her innocence, her political career in County Court 13 will officially end when her current term expires on December 31, 2026. Alicia Perez will move on to the November general election, where she is heavily favored to win in the Democratic stronghold of Bexar County.