SAN ANTONIO — State Rep. Mike Villarreal has promised to step aside before next year's legislative session to focus on his campaign for mayor. But he hasn't yet decided whether to remove his name from the November ballot by Aug. 22 or resign shortly after the November election.

Choosing the first route would trigger a process to pick his successor that's already causing discomfort for some people, particularly those who want his seat.

They include District 1 Councilman Diego Bernal; Melissa Aguillon, a public relations specialist whose husband is an Austin lobbyist; Cristina Carter, a contract manager for AT&T; and Ken Mireles, a former chief of staff for Bexar County Judge Nelson Wolff.

All four are bracing for a scenario in which precinct chairs of the Bexar County Democratic party would pick the ballot replacement, who would win the seat outright.

Already, this shadow race is underway.

“It is apparent that (the candidates) are actively seeking precinct chairs,” said Manuel Medina, county chair of the party. The precinct chairs in House District 123 “have all received numerous calls, and I know this because they all called me to communicate to the candidates to stop calling them.”

In some cases, the campaigning has gone even further.

Villarreal's district has about 65 Democratic Party precinct chairs. The County Executive Committee has appointed about 50 of them since June, many recruited by the candidates themselves, Medina said.

About 20 of these new chairs were nominated by Medina, who finds himself in a position of influence.

“Yes, there are candidates recruiting individuals, whether it's Bernal's campaign, Melissa's campaign, Ken's campaign or Cristina's campaign,” Medina said. “They all present to me individuals who want to be precinct chairs.”

Mireles disputed this.

“I am not presenting (Medina) any precinct chairs,” he said. “I understand that's part of the process, that you want people in those chairs that like you and are willing to support you. What I'm saying is, I'm not going to do that.”

Mireles added, “Others have already been engaged in it pretty aggressively for a while.”

Bernal didn't return a call for comment on Friday.

Medina insisted he doesn't favor any particular candidate.

“I'm supporting every single candidate who applies to be our nominee,” he said. “I am endorsing everyone who runs to replace Mike Villarreal.... It's not Manuel Medina's friends and family.”

Aguillon, whose husband, Thomas, is a lobbyist for Time Warner Cable, acknowledged her own efforts to gain advantage.

“I'm reaching out to (precinct chairs),” she said. “I've actively looked to see if there are people to fill those spots, but I haven't been too successful in that matter.”

Also, Aguillon had a question for me.

“Can (Carter) vote for herself?” she asked.

Carter is a precinct chair in Villarreal's district. She applied for the position shortly before deciding to seek Villarreal's seat. She was nominated by Medina.

And, yes, she can vote for herself.

“I'm a precinct chair,” Carter told me. “I'm planning on voting for myself.”

Uncomfortable yet?

Not too long ago, Bernal was considered a shoo-in for the seat.

In three years on City Council, he's tackled thorny issues that should resonate with Democrats, challenging the payday loan industry and pushing for equal rights for the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community.

The councilman lives in Villarreal's district and shares a constituent base with the Democratic legislator.

Among his likely challengers, none has held public office.

In 2004 and 2012, Mireles lost Democratic primaries for House District 117.

Last year, Carter lost a Democratic primary for County Probate Court No. 1.

Yet, should Villarreal opt to remove his name from the ballot, his district is in the hands of the recently installed precinct chairs, regardless of the wishes of the Democratic establishment.

bchasnoff@express-news.net