News Summary
The mayoral race in San Antonio intensifies as East Side Councilman Jalen McKee-Rodriguez endorses Melissa Cabello Havrda at a lively campaign event. Describing her as the most trustworthy candidate among 27 contenders, McKee-Rodriguez emphasizes her commitment to serve all San Antonians. Cabello Havrda, an experienced politician, has a strong focus on community initiatives, including funding for out-of-state abortions and job-training programs. With no incumbent in the race since 2009, the election promises to be competitive as several candidates vie for mayoral leadership.
Exciting Developments in San Antonio’s Mayoral Race
San Antonio is buzzing with excitement as East Side Councilman Jalen McKee-Rodriguez throws his weight behind Melissa Cabello Havrda in her campaign for mayor! This happened at the beautiful Woodlawn Lake Park, where the atmosphere was electric during a block-walking event organized by Cabello Havrda’s enthusiastic campaign team. It’s clear that the race for mayor, set for May 3, is heating up!
A Trustworthy Candidate
McKee-Rodriguez described Cabello Havrda as the most trustworthy candidate among the 27 individuals vying for the mayoral position. He highlighted her kindness, thoughtfulness, and genuine concern for all San Antonians—qualities that resonate with so many. The city, according to him, stands at a critical crossroads, urgently needing leadership that represents everyone and not just the privileged elite. His belief in her leadership capabilities adds a significant boost to her campaign.
Cabello Havrda’s Background
Melissa Cabello Havrda is no stranger to San Antonio’s political landscape. She’s not only an attorney specializing in federal disability cases but also has a rich history in local governance. Formerly, she served as a special assistant to Mayor Ed Garza from 2001 to 2005 and currently chairs the council’s Public Safety Committee. This role has her overseeing policies in the police and fire departments as well as Animal Care Services. An advocate for working families, she is passionate about improving transportation connectivity and ensuring that city policies yield tangible results.
Council Member to Mayoral Candidate
Cabello Havrda first entered the council in 2019, winning that coveted District 6 seat after a runoff election. Even though she faced a narrow defeat in 2017, losing by just 435 votes, her perseverance paid off as she secured reelection in May 2023, this time with a substantial 54% of the vote.
In late 2021, she briefly contemplated throwing her hat in the ring for Texas House District 124 but decided to remain focused on her council duties, leading to her continued success in governance.
Key Initiatives and Accomplishments
One of Cabello Havrda’s major initiatives includes advocating for $100,000 in funding to assist with travel expenses for out-of-state abortions, a progressive move that has garnered support from McKee-Rodriguez. She’s also focused on expanding the Ready to Work job-training program initiated by outgoing Mayor Nirenberg, actively seeking to lower age restrictions to incorporate high school students.
Cabello Havrda is also notably credited for securing the return of a revenue windfall from CPS Energy, which is expected to help minimize future rate hikes for city residents. Her dedication to transparency and community welfare has made her a commendable candidate in the present race.
The Challenging Field
This election will be particularly interesting as it marks the first time since 2009 that there is no incumbent running for mayor. Alongside Cabello Havrda, three other current council members—District 4 Councilwoman Adriana Rocha Garcia, District 8 Councilman Manny Peláez, and District 9 Councilman John Courage—are also in the ring, making it a highly competitive race.
Adding to the excitement, former Councilman Clayton Perry and notable figures like Rolando Pablos, Beto Altamirano, and Gina Ortiz Jones have also declared their candidacy. Polls suggest that many voters are still unfamiliar with the candidates, making this an open field for any of the contenders as the race unfolds.
Looking Ahead
The San Antonio City Clerk’s Office will determine the ballot order for this eagerly awaited election. If no candidate receives over 50% of the votes, a runoff election is set for June 7, ensuring a thrilling conclusion to this mayoral race in beautiful San Antonio!
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Additional Resources
- News Source 1
- Wikipedia: San Antonio mayoral election
- News Source 2
- Google Search: Melissa Cabello Havrda San Antonio
- News Source 3
- Google Scholar: San Antonio political race 2025
- News Source 4
- Encyclopedia Britannica: San Antonio mayor race
- News Source 5
- Google News: Beto Altamirano support San Antonio
Author: STAFF HERE SAN ANTONIO WRITER
The SAN ANTONIO STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HERESanAntonio.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in San Antonio, Bexar County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Fiesta San Antonio, San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo, and Dia de los Muertos. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Greater San Antonio Chamber of Commerce and United Way of San Antonio and Bexar County, plus leading businesses in retail, insurance, and energy that power the local economy such as H-E-B, USAA, and Valero Energy. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREAustinTX.com, HERECollegeStation.com, HEREDallas.com, and HEREHouston.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Texas's dynamic landscape.
