News Summary
The San Antonio mayoral election held on May 3, 2025, saw Gina Ortiz Jones and Rolando Pablos advance to a runoff scheduled for June 7. Ortiz Jones received 27.2% of the votes, while Pablos garnered 16.6%. This election featured a record 27 candidates and marked the first open mayoral race in 16 years. Voter turnout was low at 9.26%. Significant results included 70% approval for a $1 billion bond for Alamo Colleges District. Early voting for the runoff will begin on May 27.
San Antonio held its mayoral election on May 3, 2025, resulting in Gina Ortiz Jones and Rolando Pablos advancing to a runoff scheduled for June 7. Ortiz Jones finished with 27.2% of the votes, while Pablos garnered 16.6%, marking a pivotal moment in the city’s political landscape.
This election is especially noteworthy as it featured 27 candidates, the largest number in San Antonio’s history, and represented the first open mayoral race in 16 years. Voters have demonstrated a preference for candidates without prior city council experience, a shift not seen since 2005. This change comes as incumbent Mayor Ron Nirenberg, who has served for eight years, reaches the end of his term limits and will vacate the position.
The turnout for the election was recorded at a low 9.26%, highlighting potential voter apathy or disinterest in the slate of candidates. In addition to the mayoral race, several district positions are also heading to runoff elections. In District 1, incumbent Sukh Kaur received 48.91% of the vote and will face challenger Patty Gibbons. District 6 will see Kelly Ann Gonzalez and Ric Galvan compete, separated by a narrow margin of only 0.33%. Meanwhile, in District 8, Ivalis Meza Gonzalez leads with 40%, competing against Paula McGee. Finalizing the district runoffs, Misty Spears and Angi Taylor Aramburu will contend in District 9 after a tightly contested race.
Additionally, the election yielded significant results beyond the mayoral race. Nearly 70% of Bexar County voters approved a nearly $1 billion bond for the Alamo Colleges District, signifying strong support for local educational initiatives.
Gina Ortiz Jones’s background includes serving as a former U.S. Air Force undersecretary and a prior candidate for the 23rd Congressional District. Rolando Pablos, a former Texas Secretary of State, positioned himself as a candidate focused on change, appealing to voters seeking a new direction for the city. The next mayor will face critical challenges, including the task of garnering public support for a new downtown arena for the San Antonio Spurs.
Looking ahead, early voting for the runoff election is set to begin on May 27 and will last until June 3, providing voters with an opportunity to make their voices heard in this crucial election.
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Additional Resources
- KSAT News: San Antonio Mayor Election
- Google Search: San Antonio Mayor Election 2025
- Express News: San Antonio Election Results 2025
- Wikipedia: 2025 San Antonio Mayoral Election
- KENS5: San Antonio Mayoral Election 2025
- Google Scholar: San Antonio Mayoral Election 2025
- Express News: San Antonio City Council Incumbents
- Encyclopedia Britannica: San Antonio Municipal Elections
- Express News: San Antonio Election Mayor and City Council
- Google News: San Antonio Mayor Election 2025
