News Summary
Gina Ortiz Jones has made history by being elected as San Antonio’s first openly gay mayor and the first Filipino American to hold the position. Following a runoff election, Jones garnered around 54% of the vote against her opponent Rolando Pablos. Her victory reflects a significant moment for Latino voters in a city that has recently seen a shift toward the Republican Party. In her acceptance speech, Jones emphasized the importance of decency and community engagement while promising to advocate for progressive policies.
San Antonio has elected its first openly gay mayor and the first Filipino American to hold the office, Gina Ortiz Jones, following a runoff election on July 19, 2025. Jones won approximately 54% of the vote against her opponent, Rolando Pablos, who is affiliated with Republican Governor Greg Abbott. Pablos conceded the election, recognizing the challenges he faced in this competitive race.
The runoff came after a contentious primary election during which 27 candidates vied for the position of mayor. In the primary, Jones emerged as the front-runner with 27% of the votes, compared to Pablos’s 17%. The elections were watched closely as they represented a significant moment for Latino voters in San Antonio, a city that has seen a shift in recent years towards the Republican Party.
Despite the city’s historical lean toward the Democratic Party, the recent mayoral race took on a distinctly partisan tone. Pablos received financial backing from political action committees (PACs) that totaled more than $1 million, reflecting increased Republican focus on San Antonio’s political landscape. Jones’s campaign faced significant challenges, including racially charged criticisms suggesting she adopted her surname “Ortiz” to gain favor with Latino voters, which she characterized as an affront to her identity.
In her victory speech, Jones highlighted the importance of decency and compassion in her leadership approach and emphasized the need for greater voter engagement in the community. Her election signifies a continued commitment to progressive values in a city that has not elected a conservative mayor since 1995. The campaign drew involvement from both the Texas Democratic Party and the Democratic National Committee, indicating the national significance of the race as parties try to maintain and expand their influence in traditionally blue regions.
San Antonio’s election results not only reaffirm the city’s historical alignment with Democratic principles but also illustrate the complexity of Latino voting behavior in the region. Pablos’s concession and Jones’s success mark a crucial moment in the ongoing evolution of San Antonio’s political narrative, especially in light of the heightened competition from conservative candidates in what has traditionally been a Democratic stronghold.
Gina Ortiz Jones’s triumph in the mayoral race is more than a personal victory; it symbolizes a broader narrative around inclusivity and representation in local governance. Her leadership is anticipated not only to foster a sense of community but also to encourage diverse voices in San Antonio’s political discourse.
As she prepares to take office, many expect Jones to advocate for policies that resonate with a wide array of constituents, further solidifying San Antonio’s reputation as a progressive city committed to addressing the needs of all residents.
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Additional Resources
- New York Times
- Wikipedia: Gina Ortiz Jones
- KSAT
- Google Search: San Antonio Mayor Election 2025
- KSAT
- Google Scholar: Latino voting behavior San Antonio
- KSAT
- Encyclopedia Britannica: San Antonio Politics
- Axios
- Google News: Gina Ortiz Jones San Antonio Mayor
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.
