In a decisive and closely watched runoff election held on June 7, 2025, Gina Ortiz Jones was elected as the next mayor of San Antonio, securing 54.3% of the vote against Rolando Pablos, who garnered 45.7%, according to unofficial results from all 182 polling locations. This victory marks a significant moment for the city, as Jones, a 44-year-old West Side native and former Air Force undersecretary, becomes just the third woman to hold the city’s top post and the first mayor from the LGBTQ community.
The election drew considerable attention not only for its outcome but also for its highly partisan nature, unusual in what is officially a nonpartisan race. The contest narrowed from a crowded field of 27 candidates in the May 3 election, where Jones led with 27.20% of the vote and Pablos followed with 16.61%. Neither candidate secured a majority then, forcing the runoff.
Voter turnout for the runoff was notable, with 143,017 total ballots cast—representing 16.99% of San Antonio’s 841,653 registered voters. Early voting accounted for 102,726 ballots, or 12.21% turnout, while election day saw 40,281 voters participate, pushing turnout to a record 17%, eclipsing the previous high set in 2009.
Jones’s campaign was marked by a message of compassion and inclusivity, contrasting sharply with Pablos’s approach, which was backed by nearly $1 million in attacks from Republican allies and outside groups. Total spending in the runoff reached approximately $1.7 million, with about three-quarters supporting Pablos through a political action committee tied to Texas Governor Greg Abbott.
At her watch party at the Dakota East Side Ice House, Jones expressed pride in a campaign that treated people with dignity and respect. "With everything happening around us at the federal level and at the state level—some of the most un-American things we have seen in a very, very long time—it is very heartening to see where we are right now," she said. Reflecting on the election’s significance, she added, "Deep in the heart of Texas, San Antonio voters reminded the world that it’s a city built on compassion." The celebration was energized by supporters including iconic activist Rosie Castro, former Mayor Julián Castro, and several progressive City Council members.
Jones’s rise to the mayoralty is a story of resilience and determination. Before this win, she narrowly lost a 2018 congressional race in Texas’s 23rd District by less than 1,000 votes and again in 2020 by a wider margin. Her background includes distinguished service in the U.S. Air Force, where she rose to the rank of undersecretary in the Biden administration, and work with the Defense Intelligence Agency and the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative. Her military experience began under the restrictive "Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell" policy, an experience she credits with teaching her leadership humility and the importance of listening to underrepresented voices.
Jones campaigned on a platform focused on protecting San Antonio’s most vulnerable residents, advocating for expanded Pre-K programs, workforce development, and affordable housing. She was also a vocal critic of the city’s ambitious $4 billion downtown development project, known as Project Marvel, which includes a new arena for the San Antonio Spurs. While she opposed the project’s current form, she has not ruled out the use of tax dollars to fund parts of it.
Her opponent, Rolando Pablos, a former Texas Secretary of State appointed by Governor Abbott and a close ally of GOP leaders, ran on a platform emphasizing economic growth through attracting major corporations. Despite his political experience and support from conservative PACs, Pablos was unable to secure enough votes, with San Antonio continuing its trend as a predominantly Democratic city. Pablos acknowledged the outcome in a concession speech, stating, "I will continue to serve this community with pride. We want the best for this community and for our families." He noted that the race had become highly partisan and expressed surprise that conservative Northside votes did not materialize as expected.
The race also highlighted the increasing polarization in local politics, with both parties pouring significant resources into a traditionally nonpartisan contest. Texas Republicans sought to flip the mayor’s office, which hadn’t been held by a conservative since 1995, while Democrats fought hard to maintain control. The Democratic National Committee, Texas Democratic Party, and Democratic Mayors Association quickly issued statements congratulating Jones, with DNC Chair Ken Martin praising her for "beating back massive amounts of right-wing dark money." Texas Democratic Party Chair Kendall Scudder criticized Republican interference, stating, "These races are supposed to be nonpartisan, they are the ones making them not nonpartisan. They are the ones that are coming in and flooding money into these races … and we have to stand on the front lines of that."
Jones’s victory also signals a shift in San Antonio’s political landscape. While conservatives control just one seat on the City Council, and Republican elected officials are becoming increasingly scarce in Bexar County, the mayoral race showed the city’s continued commitment to progressive leadership. Councilmembers Jalen McKee-Rodriguez, Phyllis Viagran, Edward Mungia, and Teri Castillo, all progressives, attended Jones’s watch party, underscoring the growing influence of progressive voices at City Hall.
Looking ahead, Jones will be the first mayor to serve a four-year term following a city charter amendment passed in 2024, which extended terms for the mayor and council members. She is set to be sworn in on June 18, 2025. Notably, she will be the first mayor since Phil Hardberger in 2005 to assume office without prior City Council experience.
The election also brought attention to the importance of local leadership amid broader national and state political turmoil. Former Mayor Julián Castro praised the city’s message of inclusivity and resilience, saying, "I think tonight San Antonio sent a strong message that everybody counts in this city. The city sent a strong message that it would reject bigotry and the division of Donald Trump and Greg Abbott." He added, "If the vote continues to go the way that it is, this is truly going to be a landmark victory, not only for Gina and for everybody here, but for this entire community of San Antonio."
As Jones prepares to take office, the city faces critical decisions, including the future of Project Marvel and efforts to address persistent poverty despite years of investment. Her leadership style, shaped by her personal experiences and military background, promises a focus on inclusivity and listening to all community members. As she put it during a recent debate, "When you are in leadership, always having the humility to ask, ‘Who am I not hearing from? And why am I not hearing from them?"
With her victory, Gina Ortiz Jones not only makes history but also sets the stage for a new chapter in San Antonio politics—one that blends progressive ambition with a commitment to compassion and community.
