San Antonio, August 20, 2025
News Summary
State Representative Ray Lopez from San Antonio has announced he will not seek reelection for a fifth term in the Texas Legislature, opening a competitive race for Texas House District 125. Lopez intends to support his chief of staff, Donovon Rodriguez, who plans to run for the seat. This announcement reflects a broader trend of retirements among Texas lawmakers following the recent legislative session.
San Antonio
State Rep. Ray Lopez to Leave Texas House, Opening Race for District 125
State Rep. Ray Lopez, a Democrat from San Antonio, announced he will not seek reelection for a fifth term in the Texas Legislature, creating an open contest for Texas House District 125. Lopez plans to support his chief of staff, Donovon Rodriguez, who intends to run for the seat. The announcement adds to a wave of retirements and retirement-related campaigns in the Texas Legislature following the recent legislative session.
Key facts first
Lopez was first elected to the Texas House in 2019 after serving on the San Antonio City Council. House District 125 covers parts of west and northwest San Antonio and portions of Bexar County. The district leans Democratic, as reflected by its 57% vote for Vice President Kamala Harris in the 2024 presidential election. Lopez signaled that the contest for his seat is likely to be crowded, and he has indicated support for his chief of staff, who has announced plans to run.
Immediate political implications
Because House District 125 has a strong Democratic advantage, the primary election is likely to be the decisive contest for the seat. The open-seat status typically attracts multiple candidates, particularly when an incumbent with several terms steps down. Lopez’s endorsement of his chief of staff may shape the initial field by signaling continuity to local Democratic voters and donors, but other Democratic contenders are expected given the district’s partisan lean.
Context within statewide turnover
Lopez’s retirement is part of a broader reshuffling in the Texas Legislature after the recent session. Several other lawmakers have also announced they are not seeking reelection or are retiring from their current posts. Notable departures include Representatives Giovanni Capriglione, a Republican from Southlake, and Tony Tinderholt, a Republican from Arlington. In the Texas Senate, Senator Robert Nichols, a Republican from Jacksonville, has stated he will retire at the end of his term. In response to that Senate vacancy, Representative Trent Ashby, a Republican from Lufkin, has launched a campaign to succeed Nichols.
What the district looks like
House District 125 includes neighborhoods and communities in west and northwest San Antonio and parts of Bexar County. The district’s recent presidential-level results show a Democratic tilt, which will affect candidate strategy and party resource allocation. Local issues, candidate name recognition, and organizational strength are likely to shape the primary field as potential candidates evaluate their chances in a competitive yet partisan-leaning district.
What comes next
With Lopez stepping aside and his endorsed candidate preparing a campaign, attention will turn to candidate filing periods, primary schedules, and campaign fundraising. The contest is expected to draw multiple Democratic hopefuls given the district’s partisan profile, and local voters will likely have several options on the primary ballot. Statewide, the sequence of retirements and open-seat campaigns is poised to reshape legislative committees and party strategy ahead of the next session.
Background on Lopez
Lopez first won his Texas House seat in 2019 after prior service on the San Antonio City Council. His years in office included representation of communities in west and northwest San Antonio and parts of Bexar County. His decision not to run again follows the recent legislative session and comes amid a period of notable turnover among Texas lawmakers across both legislative chambers.
Tables and Visuals
Key features of the open-seat situation
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Incumbent | State Rep. Ray Lopez (Democrat) |
| Office | Texas House, District 125 |
| First elected to House | 2019 |
| Previous experience | San Antonio City Council |
| Endorsed successor | Donovon Rodriguez (chief of staff; intends to run) |
| District political leaning | Democratic-leaning (57% for Harris in 2024 presidential election) |
Timeline of relevant events
| Date/Time | Event | Status / Source |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | Ray Lopez elected to the Texas House | Historical election result |
| 2024 (Presidential) | House District 125 voted 57% for Vice President Harris | Election results |
| Recent (post-legislative session) | Lopez announced he will not seek reelection; chief of staff announced plans to run | Retirement announcement |
| Recent (post-legislative session) | Other legislative retirements and campaigns announced (Capriglione, Tinderholt, Nichols, Ashby) | Statewide turnover |
Simple visual: 2024 Presidential vote share in House District 125
FAQ
Who is retiring from the Texas House seat?
State Rep. Ray Lopez, a Democrat from San Antonio, announced he will not seek reelection to the Texas House.
Who intends to run for the open seat?
Donovon Rodriguez, the chief of staff to Rep. Lopez, intends to run for the open House District 125 seat and has received Lopez’s support.
What areas does House District 125 include?
House District 125 covers parts of west and northwest San Antonio and portions of Bexar County.
How did the district vote in the 2024 presidential election?
The district voted 57% for Vice President Kamala Harris in the 2024 presidential election.
Is this retirement part of a larger trend?
Yes. The retirement is one of several changes in the Texas Legislature following the recent legislative session, including other representatives and at least one state senator announcing retirement or candidacies for other offices.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
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Texas Representatives Detained Amidst Escalating Quorum Standoff
Ray Lopez Not Seeking Reelection in House District 125
Reynaldo Lopez Announces Retirement from Texas House
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Property Tax Relief Measures for Texas Residents
Texas Legislature Takes Big Steps Towards Property Tax Breaks for Businesses
Additional Resources
- KENS5 News
- Wikipedia: House District 125
- Spectrum Local News
- Google Search: Ray Lopez Texas House
- MSN News
- Google Scholar: Texas Legislature
- Statesman
- Encyclopedia Britannica: San Antonio Texas
- Express News
- Google News: Ray Lopez Retirement
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.
