News Summary
San Antonio prepares for a runoff in its mayoral race, with Gina Ortiz Jones and Rolando Pablos vying for the position after neither secured over 50% of the votes in the initial election. The June 7, 2025, runoff follows a notably low voter turnout, sparking calls for change among constituents. This election marks a pivotal moment for San Antonio’s leadership as new council terms shift to four years, enhancing responsibilities associated with the mayor’s role.
San Antonio is set for a runoff in its mayoral race as neither of the leading candidates managed to secure more than 50% of the votes. The runoff will take place on June 7, 2025, between Gina Ortiz Jones, the former U.S. Air Force Undersecretary, and Rolando Pablos, the former Texas Secretary of State.
In the initial round of voting, Gina Ortiz Jones received 27.2% of the vote while Rolando Pablos garnered 16.61%. Beto Altamirano, a tech entrepreneur participating in his first political campaign, finished third with 12.42% of the vote. Following closely behind were a number of City Council members, including Adriana Rocha Garcia with 9.89%, Manny Pelaez with 7.31%, Melissa Cabello Havrda receiving 6.66%, and John Courage with 5.56%. A total of 27 candidates were on the ballot for this election.
Current Mayor Ron Nirenberg will not seek reelection, having already served four two-year terms, the maximum allowed under the San Antonio City Charter. The upcoming City Council under the new changes approved by voters in November 2024 will serve four-year terms.
Voting turnout for the mayoral election was significantly low, with only 9.26% of registered voters casting their ballots, marking the lowest participation rate since 2013. Early voting was even less robust, with just 5.89% of the Bexar County electorate participating. This notably low turnout was attributed to conflicts with local events, including the Fiesta Flambeau Parade, which took place on the same night as the election. Comparatively, the voter turnout last year was 15.34%, demonstrating a significant decline in engagement this election cycle.
The results from this election indicate a growing desire among voters for change, as none of the incumbents placed within the top three positions. Both Ortiz Jones and Pablos have expressed an intention to intensify their campaigning efforts and engage meaningfully with the San Antonio community leading up to the runoff.
In addition to the implications of the runoff, the new mayor will see a salary increase, transitioning from approximately $62,000 to $87,800 upon taking office. This potential increase illustrates the evolving responsibilities and expectations associated with the mayoral role in San Antonio.
The close contest between Ortiz Jones and Pablos is not only a pivotal moment for the candidates but also reflects broader sentiments within San Antonio. With a clear shift away from established leadership seen in the preliminary results, the upcoming runoff could mark a transformative period for the city, dependent on which candidate can galvanize the support of a still-sparse electorate as the election date approaches.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
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Additional Resources
- Express News
- Wikipedia: San Antonio mayoral election, 2025
- News 4 San Antonio
- Google Search: San Antonio mayoral race
- San Antonio Current
- Google Scholar: San Antonio election
- KSAT
- Encyclopedia Britannica: San Antonio politics
- Axios San Antonio
- Google News: San Antonio runoff election
