SAN ANTONIO — On June 7, 2025, Gina Ortiz Jones secured a landmark victory in San Antonio’s mayoral runoff election, defeating former Texas Secretary of State Rolando Pablos with 54.3% of the vote. Her election marks a series of firsts: she becomes the city’s first openly LGBTQ+ mayor, the first Asian-American woman to hold the position, and the first woman veteran to lead a major Texas city.
Ortiz Jones, a former Under Secretary of the U.S. Air Force under President Joe Biden, achieved her first electoral win after two previous congressional campaigns. She will be sworn in on June 18, succeeding term-limited Mayor Ron Nirenberg. Notably, she will be the first to serve a four-year term, following a 2024 city charter amendment that extended mayoral terms.
The runoff followed a crowded general election on May 3, where Ortiz Jones led a field of 27 candidates with 27.2% of the vote, and Pablos secured 16.6%. Voter turnout increased to nearly 17% in the runoff, with over 142,000 ballots cast.
Despite the nonpartisan nature of the race, it became highly politicized. Ortiz Jones received support from national Democratic figures and organizations, including the Democratic National Committee and progressive groups like Fields of Change. Pablos, appointed by Republican governors Greg Abbott and Rick Perry, was backed by conservative political action committees, including the Texas Economic Fund, which invested heavily in his campaign.
In her victory speech, Ortiz Jones emphasized unity and inclusivity, stating, “We’re going to move forward with everyone in mind, and now the hard work begins.”
As mayor, Ortiz Jones faces significant challenges, including addressing budget deficits, overseeing the proposed downtown sports and entertainment district known as Project Marvel, and enhancing city services. Her campaign focused on expanding early childhood education, increasing affordable housing, and reforming workforce development programs.
The election also brought changes to the City Council, with four new members elected in runoff races. Notably, women now hold a majority on the 11-member council for the first time in the city’s history.
Ortiz Jones’ election reflects a shift in San Antonio’s political landscape, signaling a move toward more progressive leadership in the nation’s seventh-largest city.
