News Summary
Outgoing Mayor Ron Nirenberg delivered a heartfelt farewell address, reflecting on his four-term tenure in San Antonio. He expressed gratitude to the City Council, staff, and family while addressing ongoing challenges such as poverty and crime. As Nirenberg prepares to hand over leadership to Gina Ortiz Jones, he highlights his administration’s key achievements and the importance of continuing the work initiated during his time in office. The transition marks a significant moment for San Antonio as it faces new opportunities and challenges ahead.
San Antonio, Texas – Outgoing Mayor Ron Nirenberg delivered an emotional farewell address on Monday, marking the end of his tenure as one of the longest-serving mayors in San Antonio’s history. Nirenberg, who served four terms and was first elected in 2017, expressed gratitude to the City Council, city staff, and his family, while acknowledging significant challenges still facing the city.
Nirenberg reflected on his administration’s efforts, which included tackling issues related to transportation, homelessness, crime, and poverty. During his address, he emphasized that while various initiatives have made progress, the work to alleviate poverty and improve conditions for all residents is far from over. He commended the city staff as the best workforce in the nation, thanking them for their dedication and support throughout his years in office.
The mayor’s farewell comes just days before Gina Ortiz Jones is set to be sworn in as San Antonio’s new mayor on June 18. Ortiz Jones won the recent mayoral runoff election against Rolando Pablos, securing 54% of the vote after emerging from a competitive field of 27 candidates. She faces a significant agenda including addressing an expected budget deficit, planning for a potential new Spurs arena, and dealing with the ramifications of policies established during the Trump administration.
Ortiz Jones indicates that part of her strategy may involve seeking public input and support for the proposed downtown Spurs arena, with the possibility of bringing the matter to a vote as early as November. This ambitious plan coincides with her commitment to addressing the fiscal challenges faced by the city.
During his farewell event, ad executive Lionel Sosa unveiled a new portrait of Nirenberg, symbolizing the mayor’s legacy and contributions to the city. Nirenberg’s administration was marked by key achievements, including securing voter approval for the expansion of the Pre-K 4 SA program, funding for mass transit, and the launch of the Ready to Work workforce training initiative, all aimed at improving life in San Antonio.
In his farewell address, Nirenberg extended heartfelt thanks to his wife and family for their unwavering support throughout his political career. He mentioned that after leaving office due to an eight-year term limit, he will begin a new chapter as the Calgaard Distinguished Professor of Practice in the Department of Communications at Trinity University starting in August.
This transition of leadership highlights a pivotal moment for San Antonio as the city prepares to embrace new challenges and opportunities under Ortiz Jones’s leadership. With the groundwork laid by Nirenberg, the incoming mayor is poised to build upon that legacy and implement her vision for the future of San Antonio.
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Additional Resources
- NY Times: Gina Ortiz Jones elected San Antonio Mayor
- Wikipedia: Gina Ortiz Jones
- KENS5: San Antonio Mayor Election Results
- Encyclopedia Britannica: San Antonio
- Express News: San Antonio Mayor Election 2025
- Google Search: San Antonio Mayor Election
- Fox San Antonio: Ron Nirenberg Bids Farewell
- Google News: Ron Nirenberg Farewell
- KSAT: Ron Nirenberg Gives Farewell Address
- Google Scholar: Ron Nirenberg
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.
