News Summary
Gina Ortiz Jones has made history by becoming San Antonio’s first openly LGBTQ+ mayor, defeating Rolando Pablos in a closely contested runoff election. With a voter turnout of 17%, Jones secured over 12,000 votes more than her opponent, marking a significant milestone for both her and the LGBTQ+ community. Her term follows Ron Nirenberg’s administration and focuses on pressing issues such as education and poverty alleviation. Jones’s win signifies a transformational moment for the city’s political landscape and a push toward progressive governance.
San Antonio has made history as Gina Ortiz Jones has been elected as the city’s first openly LGBTQ+ mayor, defeating her opponent Rolando Pablos by a margin of 54.3% to 45.7% in the runoff election held on June 7. This victory represents a significant milestone not only for Jones but also for the broader LGBTQ+ community, as she becomes only the third woman to lead the city.
In the closely watched race, Jones secured more than 12,000 votes over Pablos, who acknowledged the competitive nature of the election and expressed pride in his campaign’s efforts. The election saw a voter turnout of approximately 17%, with a total of 143,048 ballots cast, indicating a varied interest among the electorate.
Jones’s celebration comes after a crowded preliminary election on May 3, where she and Pablos emerged as the top two candidates from a field of 27. Early voting results had already shown Jones garnering 52.3% of the votes, setting a positive trajectory leading up to the runoff.
Context of the Election
Gina Ortiz Jones will take office succeeding Ron Nirenberg, who has served as mayor since 2017 but was term-limited, unable to run for re-election due to city charter regulations. Ortiz Jones’s term will extend for four years, as reflected by the city charter amendment passed in 2024 that instituted longer terms for elected officials.
The election was particularly notable as it marked the first open mayoral seat in San Antonio since Julian Castro’s election in 2009. The dynamic political landscape of the city, traditionally a Democratic stronghold, has shown signs of increasing partisanship. Jones, a progressive candidate, took on Pablos, who had established connections with Republican leaders, positioning her campaign as a progressive alternative that resonated with the voting populace.
Local Election Results
In addition to the mayoral race, significant city council elections were also held. District 1 incumbent Sukh Kaur was re-elected with a commanding 64.99% of the vote, defeating challenger Patty Gibbons. Meanwhile, in District 6, Ric Galvan narrowly won against Kelly Ann Gonzalez by just 25 votes, prompting a likely recount due to the razor-thin margin. In District 8, Ivalis Meza Gonzalez secured victory with 57.35% of the votes, underlining her commitment to addressing issues relevant to her district. Misty Spears also claimed victory in District 9 with 56.7% against Angi Taylor Aramburu.
Future Focus for the Mayor
As Ortiz Jones prepares to take on the responsibilities of mayor, she has indicated her intention to prioritize education, poverty alleviation, and development initiatives, including addressing the controversial Project Marvel downtown revitalization plan. This approach reflects a desire to tackle pressing issues facing San Antonio and its diverse community.
The Democratic National Committee has lauded Jones for overcoming substantial opposition regarding campaign financing, specifically the “massive amounts of right-wing dark money” that aimed to influence the election outcome. This reflects a growing concern over financial influences in political elections that could skew representation and voter choice.
Overall, Jones’s election is viewed as a transformational moment for San Antonio, with her leadership signaling a potential shift in local governance that aims to incorporate a broader range of voices and issues, particularly those related to the LGBTQ+ community and progressive policies.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
Gina Ortiz Jones Elected as San Antonio’s First Openly Gay Mayor
Gina Ortiz Jones Makes History as First Openly Gay Mayor
La Panadería Expands with New Location in Stone Oak
San Antonio Prepares for Pivotal Mayoral Runoff Election
San Antonio Mayoral Runoff Election Approaches
Yum! Brands Announced Job Relocations from Louisville
San Antonio Unveils Project Marvel: A New Era for Sports and Entertainment
San Antonio’s Ambitious Project Marvel Update
Corpus Christi and San Antonio Rank Among Most Boring Cities
Nine Democratic Candidates Clash in NYC Mayoral Debate
Additional Resources
- KENS 5: Mayor Election Results
- Wikipedia: San Antonio mayoral election, 2025
- Express News: San Antonio Mayor Election 2025
- Google Search: San Antonio mayor election 2025
- New York Times: Gina Ortiz Jones Elected Mayor
- Google Scholar: Gina Ortiz Jones San Antonio mayor
- Axios: San Antonio Mayor Election Live Results
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Gina Ortiz Jones
- Community Impact: Ortiz Jones Wins Runoff
- Google News: San Antonio mayor election results
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.
