It looks like the 2019 campaign for Mayor is underway, even before the 2018 midterms, News Radio 1200 WOAI reports
.A political action committee opposed to the three charter amendments being pushed by the San Antonio Professional Firefighters Association released a quick audio clip of SAPFFA President Chris Steele talking with supporters last year about the goal of the petition drive that the union was beginning.
In the clip, Steele says the goal of the campaign is not to bring better government to City Hall and to empower citizens, as supporters claim in their campaign literature, but to help elect northwest side Councilman Greg Brockhouse, who is a former adviser to the SAPFFA, as mayor.
Steele says in the recording that the petition drive is a 'campaign tactic and a lobbying tactic' to put pressure on City Hall to agree to a new contract with the Union, but also to 'setting up to where in May of 2019, we can put our own guy in the mayor's office, which would be Greg Brockhouse in the mayor's office."
In a statement released last night, the SAPFFA says the idea that the union doesn't like Mayor Ron Nirenberg should come as no surprise to anyone.
"In Greg, we see someone who listens to the people, someone who won't be owned by the City Manager and/or special interests."
Brockhouse said in a statement that releasing the recording is 'the latest move by a desperate Mayor and a losing Go Vote No campaign manager to deflect from a lack of leadership and distrust at City Hall.'
"This is what’s wrong with Ron Nirenberg," Brockhouse said. "He is the leader of this campaign and he can’t help but tear people down. Stick to the facts Ron and instead of worrying about who is going to run against you in 2019."
Nirenberg is expected to seek re-election to a second term next May, and Brockhouse has made no secret that he is eyeing the mayor's seat, although neither man has made a formal campaign announcement.
Nirenberg and Brockhouse routinely squabble at City Council meetings, occasionally spilling over into open acrimony.