San Antonio, TX, August 20, 2025
News Summary
State Rep. Ray Lopez has announced that he will not seek reelection for a fifth term in House District 125, opening the door for a competitive race in San Antonio. Lopez has endorsed his chief of staff, Donovon Rodriguez, who plans to run for the seat. The district is likely to attract multiple Democratic candidates given its recent voting patterns favoring the Democratic Party, with expectations for a crowded primary election ahead.
San Antonio
State Rep. Ray Lopez, a Democrat representing House District 125, announced he will not seek reelection for a fifth term in the Texas Legislature, creating an open and potentially crowded contest for the San Antonio-area seat. Lopez, first elected to the state House in 2019, has pledged his support to his chief of staff, Donovon Rodriguez, who has announced plans to run for the seat.
Top details
- Incumbent stepping down: Lopez will not run for a fifth term, leaving District 125 open.
- Successor candidate: Lopez has endorsed his chief of staff, Donovon Rodriguez, who plans to enter the race.
- Other potential contenders: Adrian Reyna, a San Antonio ISD teacher and vice president of the district’s teachers’ union, is listed among potential candidates.
- District profile: House District 125 covers parts of San Antonio’s west and northwest side and portions of Bexar County and is expected to remain Democratic; the district gave 57% of its vote to Vice President Kamala Harris in the 2024 presidential election.
- Political context: Lopez’s announcement follows a period of high-profile partisan conflict at the Texas Capitol, including a quorum break by Lopez and other Democrats during a redistricting dispute.
Supporting information
Lopez was first elected to the Texas House in 2019 after earlier service on the San Antonio City Council. His public service record also includes 14 years in the Army Reserve and legislative work on veteran-related issues, including efforts to better track veteran suicides. The district he represents is concentrated on San Antonio’s west and northwest neighborhoods and lies within Bexar County.
The vacancy comes amid broader turnover at the state level. Several other state representatives have announced they will not seek reelection, contributing to an unusually fluid candidate landscape in multiple districts. Names among those also stepping down include other lawmakers who have publicly declared their plans not to run again, increasing attention on both primary and general election contests across Texas.
What this means for the race
With Lopez not seeking reelection, House District 125 is expected to draw multiple Democratic candidates in the primary, given the district’s recent voting patterns and partisan lean. Local activists, educators, and political staffers are being mentioned as potential entrants, and observers expect a competitive Democratic primary before the general election. The district’s recent presidential vote share — 57% for the Democratic ticket in 2024 — suggests the general election is likely to favor a Democratic nominee, though a crowded primary could determine the ultimate outcome.
Background and context
Lopez’s decision follows a series of political clashes at the Texas Capitol, during which he and other Democrats broke quorum and relocated to other states to slow or halt a Republican-led effort on congressional redistricting. Those actions were part of a broader strategy by Democrats in the Texas Legislature in recent legislative sessions. Separately, turnover among lawmakers — with a number of representatives choosing not to run again — is reshaping campaign dynamics and committee alignments ahead of the next legislative session.
Lopez’s public service spans local government, state office, and military service. His time on the San Antonio City Council preceded his election to the state House. In Austin, his legislative priorities included veterans’ issues and measures aimed at improving tracking and prevention related to veteran suicides.
What to watch next
- Formal candidate filings and a likely crowded Democratic primary in District 125.
- Campaign announcements from Lopez’s endorsed successor, Donovon Rodriguez, and other prospective candidates such as Adrian Reyna.
- How local issues and veteran-related policy experience influence the primary field.
- Any further retirements or filings that reshape competitive dynamics across nearby districts in Bexar County and the San Antonio metropolitan area.
Key facts table
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Representative | Ray Lopez (Democrat) |
| Decision | Not seeking reelection for a fifth term |
| First elected to State House | 2019 |
| Endorsed potential candidate | Donovon Rodriguez (chief of staff) |
| Other potential candidates | Adrian Reyna (San Antonio ISD teacher, union vice president) |
| District | House District 125 — parts of San Antonio’s west and northwest side, Bexar County |
| 2024 presidential vote (District 125) | 57% for Vice President Kamala Harris |
Timeline
| Date / Time | Event | Status / Source |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | Ray Lopez first elected to the Texas House | Official election record |
| Nov 2024 | House District 125 voted 57% for the Democratic presidential ticket | 2024 election results |
| 2025 (announcement) | Lopez announced he will not seek reelection and endorsed Donovon Rodriguez | Representative’s public announcement |
| Recent legislative session | Lopez and other Democrats broke quorum amid a redistricting dispute | Legislative records and public accounts |
Simple visual: 2024 presidential vote share in District 125
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is Ray Lopez not running for reelection?
Lopez announced he will not seek a fifth term; public materials from his announcement note the decision and an endorsement of his chief of staff as a preferred successor. No additional personal reasons were provided in the announcement.
Who has Lopez endorsed to run for the seat?
Lopez pledged his support to his chief of staff, Donovon Rodriguez, who plans to run for the open seat in House District 125.
Who else is expected to run for House District 125?
Other potential candidates include Adrian Reyna, a San Antonio ISD teacher and vice president of the district’s teachers’ union. The field is expected to be crowded with multiple Democratic hopefuls.
What areas does House District 125 cover?
House District 125 encompasses parts of San Antonio’s west and northwest side and includes areas within Bexar County.
How partisan is the district?
The district is expected to remain Democratic; it cast 57% of its vote for the Democratic presidential ticket in 2024.
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Additional Resources
- Spectrum News
- Wikipedia: Ray Lopez
- KENS5
- Google Search: Ray Lopez Texas House District 125
- MSN News
- Google Scholar: Ray Lopez Texas Legislature
- Statesman
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Ray Lopez
- San Antonio Current
- Google News: Ray Lopez Texas
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.
