Sukh Kaur Addresses Past DWI as District 1 Race Heats Up
San Antonio, TX — Councilwoman Sukh Kaur, representing District 1, is facing a challenging reelection campaign this year with nine opponents. Central to the controversy is an old arrest record, which Kaur asserts is being misused by her political rivals.
Acknowledging the Arrest
At the age of 36, Kaur reflected on an incident that occurred 12 years ago when she was arrested on suspicion of driving while intoxicated (DWI) in Houston. At the time, Kaur was a 24-year-old teacher.
In a recent interview with the San Antonio Report, Kaur revealed the circumstances surrounding her arrest, prompted by rumors circulating on social media about her past. According to an arrest record dated June 19, 2013, her blood alcohol content was measured at 0.08, which is the legal limit for intoxication in Texas. Kaur subsequently pleaded guilty to the charges.
Sealing the Records
To move forward positively, Kaur opted to have her arrest record sealed in 2020. This legal process generally allows individuals to keep their arrest documents confidential and may exempt them from disclosing such information in applications, including those for candidacy.
“I had my record sealed because I believe in second chances and wanted the opportunity to go forward with a clean slate, like the legal justice system allows any individual to do,” Kaur explained.
It’s important to note that sealing is distinct from expungement, which completely removes criminal records from public view—a process that fellow council member Manny Pelaez underwent about a decade ago.
Campaign Impact
The situation has heightened tensions in a particularly competitive District 1 election, with Kaur accusing political opponents of exploiting her past to undermine her campaign.
Julisa Medrano-Guerra, one of Kaur’s challengers and a bar owner, is believed by Kaur to be behind this tactic. Kaur remarked, “It’s unfortunate that my political opponent has chosen to weaponize my past in a smear campaign rather than focus on the real issues that matter to District 1.”
Despite this, Medrano-Guerra’s campaign spokesperson, Roger LeGrand, confirmed that they had engaged a private investigator to follow Kaur’s activities but claimed they were unaware of the DWI incident.
Reflection on the Past
In her account, Kaur indicated that she had openly discussed the DWI with close friends, stating, “I’ve never hidden this, but I also don’t disclose it.” She noted that the resurfacing of her past was primarily due to opposition research conducted by her rivals.
Reflecting on her past mistakes, Kaur expressed, “I made a mistake. No one was hurt, and I took full responsibility, complied with the legal process, and learned an important lesson that has shaped the person and leader I am today.”
