San Antonio witnessed a historic moment on June 7, 2025, as Gina Ortiz Jones clinched victory in the mayoral runoff election, securing 54.3% of the vote against her Republican rival, Rolando Pablos, who garnered 45.7%. With all 182 polling locations reporting, Jones received 77,484 votes to Pablos' 65,202, marking a decisive win in a city that has not elected a Republican mayor in over two decades.
The election drew significant attention, not only because it was the first open mayoral seat since 2009 but also because it underscored shifting political dynamics in San Antonio, a traditionally Democratic stronghold. The runoff came after a crowded May 3 primary featuring 27 candidates, where neither Jones nor Pablos secured a majority, leading to this head-to-head contest.
Jones, a 44-year-old Filipino American and former undersecretary of the Air Force under the Biden administration, made history as San Antonio's first openly lesbian mayor and the first to serve a four-year term, following a 2024 voter-approved city charter amendment extending mayoral terms from two to four years. She will be sworn in on June 18, succeeding Ron Nirenberg, who served the maximum eight years allowed.
Throughout the campaign, Jones positioned herself as a progressive leader focused on compassion and inclusivity. At her election night party, she addressed supporters, saying, "We reminded folks what San Antonio stands for. We reminded them that our city leads with compassion." Her platform highlighted expanding early childhood education, increasing affordable housing, and creating work programs for unskilled workers, aiming to tackle persistent poverty affecting nearly 20% of the city's population since the 1980s.
Jones' victory was particularly notable given the political landscape. Despite San Antonio's Democratic leanings, the race became highly partisan. Pablos, a 57-year-old Mexican immigrant and former Texas secretary of state under Governor Greg Abbott, ran a campaign backed by substantial fundraising advantages and endorsements, including support from a PAC linked to Abbott and the city's police union, as well as the editorial board of the San Antonio Express-News. He outraised Jones by a margin of 1.5 to 1, and outside spending in his favor tripled that for Jones.
Yet, Jones maintained a steady lead throughout the runoff. Early voting saw 102,726 ballots cast, representing 12.21% of the city's 841,653 registered voters, with total turnout reaching 143,017 ballots (16.99%) by election day. Her early vote lead of 52.3% set the tone, and Pablos was unable to close the gap as results trickled in. Political analysts, including UTSA professor Jon Taylor, had anticipated a close race, noting the historical significance regardless of the outcome.
Jones' personal story resonated with many voters. Raised on San Antonio's west side by her single mother, Victorina M. Ortiz, a Filipino immigrant and retired educator, Jones left the city in 1999 on an Air Force ROTC scholarship to Boston University. She holds advanced degrees from the University of Kansas and the U.S. Army School of Advanced Military Studies. Before her mayoral win, she twice ran narrowly for Congress in Texas's 23rd District and served as undersecretary of the Air Force from 2021 to 2023.
Her campaign also faced challenges, including accusations from Pablos that she appropriated the Hispanic surname "Ortiz" to appeal to Latino voters—a claim she rejected as racist, explaining that many Filipinos have Spanish surnames due to colonial history. Jones openly embraced her multicultural identity and political convictions, criticizing Governor Abbott's policies such as school vouchers and local ICE operations.
Jones' election marks a milestone for representation and leadership in San Antonio. She is the city's third female mayor and the first to win without prior City Council experience since Phil Hardberger in 2005. Moreover, she is the city's second mayor of Asian heritage, reflecting San Antonio's diverse cultural fabric.
Her opponent, Pablos, conceded graciously, acknowledging the tough race and the city's Democratic tilt. "San Antonio continues to be a blue city," he remarked, expressing hope for collaboration moving forward.
The runoff also featured tightly contested races for City Council districts. District 6 saw 24-year-old Ric Galvan win by a razor-thin margin of 25 votes over Kelly Ann Gonzalez, prompting the possibility of a recount. Incumbent Sukh Kaur won District 1 decisively with nearly 65% of the vote, while Ivalis Meza Gonzalez and Misty Spears claimed victories in Districts 8 and 9, respectively.
Voter turnout for the runoff was notably higher than the May primary, with over 143,000 ballots cast compared to roughly 100,000 earlier. Bexar County Elections Administrator Michele Carew reported a 17% turnout, reflecting increased engagement in these pivotal local races.
Looking ahead, Mayor-elect Jones faces the task of swiftly acclimating to her new role, particularly as she prepares for upcoming budget discussions and strategic planning around key issues such as Project Marvel, the city's ambitious downtown revitalization initiative, affordable housing, and poverty alleviation. She has already secured support from progressive City Council members, positioning her to advance her agenda in a city eager for inclusive growth.
Jones’ victory not only signals continuity in San Antonio’s progressive leadership but also highlights the city's evolving political landscape amid broader national shifts. As she prepares to lead, her emphasis on compassion and inclusivity offers a clear message that San Antonio aims to move forward with all its residents in mind.
