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Texas Mayoral Run-off Pinned to Candidates' Ages

Associated Press
Published | Updated

SAN ANTONIO – A 30-year-old San Antonio city councilman says his lead in the mayoral election should erase doubts that he's too young to lead the nation's eighth-largest city, but his 70-year-old opponent isn't so sure.

Councilman Julian Castro (search) will face retired Texas appeals court judge Phil Hardberger (search) in a June runoff for mayor because neither received more than 50 percent of the vote on Saturday.

Castro led with about 42 percent, or 47,893 votes, after three-fourths of precincts were counted. Hardberger received 30 percent of the vote, or 34,280 votes.

"The lion's share of voters in San Antonio believe I can effectively lead," said Castro, who was the subject of jokes during his campaign because of his age and youthful appearance.

Hardberger said Castro has "a lot of energy, but I'm happy to say so do I and I have a lot more life experiences behind me that I can utilize."

The election gained attention last month when Castro's twin brother, Joaquin Castro, stood in for him on a city council parade float. Hardberger accused the brothers of trying to deceive the public.

The brothers responded by joking about the so-called "Twingate" affair, with Julian wearing an "I'm Julian" T-shirt and his brother wearing one that said "I'm Not Julian."

In other Texas races:

—Dallas voters rejected a proposal to increase the mayor's power. With nearly all precincts counted, about 62 percent, or 65,885 voters, opposed overhauling the city charter to give more power to the mayor.

Opponents, including former Mayor Ron Kirk (search) and all 14 council members, said the proposal failed to guarantee adequate checks and balances.

—Austin voters approved an expanded smoking ban. With about 86 percent of precincts reporting, about 52 percent of voters accepted the proposal to outlaw smoking in bars, bowling alleys and pool halls. The city already bans smoking in most restaurants.

—President Bush's adopted hometown of Crawford, about 120 miles southwest of Dallas, elected a mayor aligned with the president's politics. Republican David Posten prevailed with 150 votes, defeating fellow Republican Franklin Abel, who got 96.

Democratic Mayor Robert Campbell said he decided not to seek re-election over disagreements with the council, not because of criticism he received last year because he endorsed Democratic presidential candidate John Kerry.

—In Dallas, Monica Barros-Greene, the transsexual owner of a popular Mexican restaurant, will face Pauline Medrano in a runoff for city council. Medrano pulled 45 percent of votes, compared with Barros-Greene's 38 percent.

—In Hedwig Village, a Houston suburb, former Mayor Sue Speck (search) won with 231 votes, compared with 129 votes for Mayor Dee Srinivasan (search), who died of heart disease last month.