News Summary
Gina Ortiz Jones made history by winning the mayoral runoff election in San Antonio, becoming the city’s first openly gay mayor. Securing 54.3% of the vote, her election represents a significant shift in the political landscape, reflecting changes in Latino voter sentiment. The runoff also determined several City Council races, with notable increases in voter turnout. Ortiz Jones emphasized her commitment to community and inclusivity in her acceptance speech, while her leadership signals a new political era for San Antonio.
San Antonio made history on June 7, 2025, as Gina Ortiz Jones emerged victorious in the mayoral runoff election, securing 54.3% of the vote against her opponent, Rolando Pablos. This victory marks Ortiz Jones as the first openly gay mayor of the city, which is the seventh-largest in the United States. Her election reflects a significant shift in the political landscape, particularly among Latino voters in the area.
Ortiz Jones, a 44-year-old former Under Secretary of the Air Force under the Biden administration, previously garnered 27% of the votes in a crowded election on May 3, while Pablos, who is 57 and a Mexican immigrant with strong connections to Republican Governor Greg Abbott, received 17%. The runoff election served as a gauge for Latino sentiment following the noticeable movement of Hispanic voters toward Donald Trump during the 2024 elections.
The election also determined four City Council races in Districts 1, 6, 8, and 9. In District 1, incumbent Sukh Kaur was re-elected with a strong 64.99% of the vote, defeating challenger Patty Gibbons. District 6 saw Ric Galvan narrowly win against Kelly Ann Gonzalez by just 25 votes, a margin that may prompt a recount. Ivalis Meza Gonzalez triumphed in District 8 with 57.35% of the vote against Paula McGee, while Misty Spears secured victory in District 9, garnering 56.7% of the votes over Angi Taylor Aramburu.
The voter turnout for the June 7 runoff was notably higher at 17%, with 143,048 ballots cast, compared to the previous election on May 3. Of those, 40,218 individuals voted on election day, illustrating increased civic engagement in local governance.
Rolando Pablos conceded the race, expressing gratitude to his supporters and acknowledging the challenging nature of the campaign. The outgoing mayor, Ron Nirenberg, served since his election in 2017 and was term-limited after four consecutive wins. Ortiz Jones’ leadership will bring a new perspective to the mayor’s office, emphasizing themes of compassion and inclusivity.
Gina Ortiz Jones is only the third woman in history to hold the office of mayor of San Antonio. In her acceptance speech, she underscored her ambition to be a mayor for all residents, reinforcing the importance of community and unity in her administration.
All newly elected officials, including Ortiz Jones and the members of the City Council, will be sworn in on June 18, 2025. This new political era in San Antonio may signal a broader change within the governance of Texas cities as voter demographics and preferences evolve over time.
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HERE Resources
Gina Ortiz Jones Becomes First Openly Gay Mayor of San Antonio
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Ivalis Meza Gonzalez Wins San Antonio City Council District 8 Runoff
Gina Ortiz Jones Elected as San Antonio’s First Openly Gay Mayor
San Antonio Elects Historic New Mayor and City Council Members
Gina Ortiz Jones Wins Mayoral Runoff in San Antonio
Gina Ortiz Jones Wins Mayoral Runoff in San Antonio
Gina Ortiz Jones Elected as San Antonio’s First Openly Gay Mayor
Gina Ortiz Jones Elected as San Antonio’s First Openly LGBTQ+ Mayor
Gina Ortiz Jones Elected as San Antonio’s First Openly Gay Mayor
Additional Resources
- New York Times
- Wikipedia: Gina Ortiz Jones
- KSAT
- Google Search: San Antonio Mayoral Election 2025
- KENS5
- Google Scholar: San Antonio Election 2025
- Express News
- Encyclopedia Britannica: San Antonio Mayoral Election 2025
- KSAT
- Google News: San Antonio 2025 Election
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.
