Republicans oust controversial party chair, Democratic party leader defeats challenger

SAN ANTONIO (KTSA News) – The local  GOP ousted controversial Bexar County Republican Chair Cynthia Brehm and replaced her with John Austin in Tuesday Primary runoff election.

Sen. John Cornyn , Sen. Ted Cruz  and Gov. Greg Abbott had called on Brehm to resign after she suggested on social media that the the death of George Floyd at the hands of a Minneapolis police officer may have been a “staged event.”  She also claimed the coronavirus was a hoax conceived Democrats to undermine President Trump.

The governor congratulated John Austin on election night.

“Congratulations to John Austin on being elected Chairman of the Republican Party of Bexar County. John will lead the Bexar County GOP with integrity, principled leadership, and a commitment to conservative values,” the governor said.

Bexar County Democratic Party chair Monica Alcantara survived a challenge  by Grace Rose Gonzales.