Bexar County Judge Nelson Wolff appointed former appeals court judge Marialyn Barnard as the Interim Precinct 3 County Commissioner on Tuesday.
She was immediately sworn in by Federal Judge Orlando Garcia and will serve in the interim position until Jan. 1, 2023, replacing former Pct. 3 Commissioner Trish DeBerry, who is running for Bexar County Judge.
Wolff said he received a total of 27 applications but that Barnard’s “stood above all.” Wolff said in making his decision he considered the candidate’s civic involvement, whether they had served as an elected official, their private sector experience, whether they understood county government and the judicial and criminal system. He also wanted someone with independence and leadership qualities who would be ready for the job given the year’s first Commissioner’s Court meeting is scheduled for next week.
Barnard, a Republican, served on the Texas Fourth District Court of Appeals from 2009-2018 when she lost her re-election bid in the 2018 midterm elections.
Barnard will remain in the interim position for the entire year until the person chosen by voters in November’s election will fill out the remainder of the term until 2024.
Just a year into her term as commissioner, DeBerry announced last month that she would be running for county judge in the upcoming election. Per state law, DeBerry had to resign in order to embark on the political campaign.
Because of the timing of the resignation, the Texas Secretary of State’s Office said Bexar County’s political parties will be able to make their own nominations for the office for November’s General Election rather than have candidates file for March’s Primary.
Precinct 3 covers the north side of Bexar County.
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