With what we do at The Hawk’s Eye, the district attorney’s office is front and center. How that office engages with us during our processes, what it decides to do, how it does it, and what it may choose to step away from provides insight into what is considered acceptable and unacceptable within the community it serves.

With that in mind, we sent a questionnaire to the two candidates on the Democratic ballot for the district attorney’s office in Hays County. We also sent the same questionnaire to the independent candidate anticipated to face the winner of the primary race. While the questions address the responsibilities of the office, they are ultimately focused on accountability. The responses below reflect one candidate’s stated policy positions, decision-making standards, and approach to exercising prosecutorial authority if elected.

We asked the primary candidates to respond before the start of early voting and stated that their answers would be published in full. Responses submitted at any time will still be published, but responding before ballots are cast may provide voters the greatest opportunity to review each candidate’s positions.

Early voting runs from February 17, 2026, through February 27, 2026, with Election Day set for March 3.

Alfonso Salazar recently submitted his responses to our questions, and they are detailed below. As always, voters are encouraged to conduct their own research before casting a ballot. Salazar maintains a presence on Facebook, Instagram, X, and TikTok, and additional information may be available through his campaign website.

The following are the questions presented by The Hawk’s Eye and Salazar’s complete responses.

What written policies would you implement to ensure prosecutorial decisions remain insulated from political influence by donors, party leaders, or elected officials?

 I would implement a written policy that all prosecutorial decisions will be made by the office alone. Realistically, this is why it is more important who is in the position rather than the elected position itself. A leader must earn and protect the trust of the community. While policies are written,  it requires the trust that they will be followed. I aim to prove to the community that I cannot be pressured or influenced. The rule of law is more important than any one person. 

Have you ever faced pressure—political, institutional, or internal—to handle a case a certain way, and how did you respond?

 I recently had a case where due process was stripped from my client. Everyone wanted to shift blame and wanted me to let it go. I received hate from the Defense Bar, the DA’s office and community members that didn’t understand how serious this was. I did not yield. The district attorney’s office made a mistake and everyone in the community deserved to know the truth. If it is covered up when it happens to one person, everyone in the county is at risk to have their rights violated.

Would you publicly disclose meetings or communications with elected officials regarding pending criminal matters?

 If this question is asking if I would disclose meetings and communications with elected officials that were dealing with personal criminal matters, then no I would not. After the case is closed any information that can be legally requested about the case would be released upon proper request. But to disclose active case information simply because the defendant is an elected official is not allowed.

If the question is asking if I would meet with elected officials in regards to criminal cases I would be handling as the District Attorney I don’t see why those meetings would need to occur. I would be in charge of cases and would do what I was elected to. There is no need to meet with elected officials regarding criminal cases.  

How would you ensure independent and unbiased investigations or prosecutions involving high-profile public officials in Hays County, particularly if those individuals previously supported or donated to your campaign?

That’s easy, we are grassroots and I believe we had only 2 donations over 1000 dollars at this point. With one of those being my significant other. No one can buy me. This is not an issue for me. However, if there is a case against a public official, I believe that the use of an outside special prosecutor should always be used. This alleviates the view of bias. Furthermore, our offices are required to continue to work together. We can still maintain a professional relationship because our office will be removed from whatever the outcome of the case is. 

Would you commit to requesting an outside prosecutor in cases involving political supporters or county leadership, and what objective standard would trigger that decision?

Yes, as stated in the previous answer an outside special prosecutor should be used to ensure that fairness and transparency occur above all else. The district attorney’s office is not an office that would normally do investigations and gather evidence to uncover crimes in our community. The objective standard is the same for all residents of the county including supporters or leadership, probable cause. The one thing that I will not do is allow the district attorney’s office to be a pawn in a political game between parties or leadership that have agendas against one another. The most important thing is the safety of the community including the relationships between the district attorney’s office and the county as a whole. Trust must be earned and then maintained by accountability and honesty with the public about the decisions made in the office.

Should campaign-finance relationships ever require mandatory recusal by a district attorney?

I believe so. I think we should have that placed on a ballot and allow the community to enact that. If a district attorney were to protect a donor, they would be risking their position, their law license and their freedom. I think the community would have to decide how much money they think is enough money for someone to risk their livelihood similar to other campaign-finance laws.

Will you publish declination decisions, Brady disclosures, or disciplinary findings involving prosecutors?

 I am unsure what is being asked in this question but I can assure the public that I will be as forthcoming with information as I can be. If the first section is asking about charges the office declines the answer will always be, it depends. Simply because the office declines a charge doesn’t mean the case is closed. It may mean that we need additional information and evidence from law enforcement. I am very skeptical when leadership releases numbers and stats for a specific reason. Data can be used to make any point the owner of that data would like. If we are being asked to release the number of declined charges, it doesn’t paint an accurate picture as to what kinds of charges were declined and why they were declined.

Brady disclosures are meant for criminal proceedings and many times are protected from disclosure. I think the real question should be will I gather this information from law enforcement and provide it to Defense Counsel as the law requires. This has been a contentious issue in this County for years. I will work closely with law enforcement and the defense bar to make sure this requirement is finally met.

 Lastly if there were disciplinary issues with the prosecutors that required disclosure, I would leave that to the State Bar. 

How should the DA’s Office handle public-information requests that could expose internal mistakes or misconduct?

 If the information is legally allowed to be released and the request is done correctly, it should be turned over.

What safeguards prevent plea-deal disparities between represented and unrepresented defendants?

 Office policy is the only thing that can ensure plea-deals are equal across defendants. The culture I would like to foster in the office is examining the cases based on the events, previous history and the defendants themselves. The motto of prosecutor’s offices is to “seek justice”. I want to make that a reality and apply the law to the particular case, regardless of if there is Defense Counsel or not.

What evidentiary threshold should apply when considering criminal charges against a peace officer for on-duty conduct?

 Evidentiary thresholds are not created by the district attorney’s office; a criminal threshold is when probable cause exists that a crime was committed. However, it has been one of my founding principles that our intake division will monitor the interactions between law enforcement and our residents to ensure that due process and constitutional rights are being protected. If we see actions that we believe are violations of the law we will turn that information over to their internal affairs office and leadership.If the violation is more severe we will turn that over to the Texas Rangers or FBI. The point of the district attorney’s office is to make a safer community. That means ensuring that law enforcement is doing their job in a safe and professional manner. We will address acts that don’t meet criminal behavior with leadership if they are moving us away from a safer community.

How will you address credibility issues involving repeat law-enforcement witnesses?

 Addressing credibility issues with law enforcement witnesses falls under the Brady disclosures. I will work with law enforcement and the defense bar to ensure that Brady material is provided as the law requires. If a law enforcement officer has a disclosure that can be addressed then we will still use that officer as a witness. Law enforcement officers are still just everyday people that do a very strenuous and dangerous job. Actions that require a disclosure but that do not ruin a person’s credibility or career are possible. On the other side of that disclosure, if the actions of that law enforcement officer were so damaging that juries no longer deem that officer a credible witness we will have to work with their leadership to decide how to handle their duties. It does the County no good for an officer to make  legitimate arrests of criminals only for us to be unable to pursue charges due to the Brady actions of that officer.

Which three measurable metrics best determine whether a DA’s Office is succeeding?

1.A reduction in local residents becoming repeat offenders. We must try new approaches to diversion programs and probation to  find solutions to the issues that lead to crime. A drop in repeat offenders would show the efficacy of our programs and probations.

 2. A reduction of at trial dismissals demonstrating only provable cases are filed. This will show that reasonable offers have been extended in advance of trial and that the DA’s office has the proper amount of evidence for each case moved to the trial docket to complete that trial.

 3. A reduction of multiple continuances on the part of the state once a case is moved to the trial docket. This will show that reasonable offers have been extended and that the cases were reviewed and prepared from trial in a timely manner.

What backlog level is unacceptable, and what structural reform would you implement within six months to prevent recurrence?

 As stated above, data can be used to strengthen the narrative of the person’s talking point. When we discuss the back log, what point in the process are we discussing? If a case is waiting in pre-file for law enforcement to supply the remaining evidence and then is declined due to insufficient evidence, was that a backlog or due diligence? If a case has been filed but is sitting for a while, while the defense either gathers upfront proactive steps from their client or is preparing the case; that is not a backlog. That is ensuring that proper representation and due process is being protected.

However, my goal is to work with law enforcement to see how fast all of the evidence can be provided to my intake division so that an accurate decision can be made. Is this a case that can be filed and should be or is it missing elements? The sooner we know that, the sooner we can file or decline the case.  I would implement a policy of extending various final offers on plea deals as soon as the prosecutor has reviewed the case and discussed it with the defense. The idea of starting with a single high offer then slowly lowering it after several settings doesn’t seem like justice, it seems like trying to get more than the case allows in exchange for a quick resolution. The cases should be examined as the individual events they are and reasonable offers should be extended as soon as possible.  

How should diversion-program success be measured beyond completion rates?

A diversion program can only truly claim success if it can prevent repeat offending. If a diversion program is completed only to have the person come back to court for a similar offense, we have not addressed the root of the behavior. 

When does mercy become unequal justice?

 Cases should be measured by the law and harm or potential harm that could have been placed upon the County. Mercy is only unequal justice when it is offered to a select group or is done as a favor for a defendant. So long as the cases are viewed as unique events and taken with the totality of the circumstances, then justice is sought. Many people complain that sentences are too light when a person commits another crime, but no one in our community can tell the future. We must address the case in front of us with the facts in front of use without any bias or political influence.

What is one prosecution decision you believe most district attorneys get wrong?

 Increasing the charges or punishment against a person to make a political statement or example out of one person so that others will stop similar behavior. That is a dog whistle. If people looked at others’ punishments and it prevented them from committing similar acts we would have ended crime decades ago. Address each case as it is with the facts it has and measure the case accordingly.

---

---

Disclaimer

The content provided in this publication is for educational and informational purposes only. The Hawk’s Eye – Consulting & News strives to deliver accurate and impactful stories. However, readers are advised to seek professional legal counsel and guidance for their specific legal inquiries and concerns. The publication does not assume any responsibility for actions taken by individuals based on the information presented. 

Additionally, while every effort is made to ensure the reliability of the information, the publication does not warrant the completeness, accuracy, or timeliness of the content. Readers are encouraged to verify any legal information with official sources and to use their discretion when interpreting and applying the information provided.

A Couple of Our Other Reads

You may be interested in our publishing about a Texas judge filing a lawsuit over same-sex wedding refusals.

Or you may find our publishing on a TABC agent receiving a stipend for a degree he didn’t hold, of interest. 

Follow Us on Social Media

If you are interested in staying updated on matters about your government in Texas and other important stories, trust The Hawk’s Eye – Consulting & News to provide reliable information that matters to you. You can follow us on social media platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, X, Reddit, YouTube, Tumblr, and LinkedIn to stay connected and informed.

FACEBOOK: TheHawksEyeNews
INSTAGRAM: Hawk_s_Eye_C_and_N
X: TheHawksEyeNews
REDDIT: TheHawksEyeCN
YOUTUBE: The Hawk’s Eye – Consulting & News
TUMBLR: The Hawk’s Eye – Consulting & News
LINKEDIN: The Hawk’s Eye – Consulting & News

---