Gina Ortiz Jones Makes History as San Antonio’s New Mayor
San Antonio has officially spoken—Gina Ortiz Jones is the new mayor, marking a significant moment for the city’s political landscape. With 100% of precincts reporting, Jones secured 54.3% of the vote in a closely watched runoff against Rolando Pablos, who finished with 46%. This result not only ushers in a new chapter for the city but also cements Jones as the third woman to ever serve as mayor of San Antonio and the first to do so under the city’s new four-year term structure.
The atmosphere at Jones’ election night event was charged with emotion and celebration. Speaking to supporters, Jones delivered a victory speech that was both passionate and pointed. “It was my name on the ballot,” she said, “but we all know that what was truly at stake was decency, kindness, and compassion—and San Antonio chose to lead with those values.” Her words underscored a campaign message centered on unity and progress, themes she repeatedly emphasized throughout the race.
Meanwhile, Rolando Pablos, her opponent and former Texas Secretary of State, offered a gracious concession. “We tried,” he told his supporters. “It was a tough race, and I’m just happy everybody came together for this community.” Despite the intense competition, Pablos’ remarks signaled respect for the democratic process and the city’s choice.
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This runoff followed a highly competitive general election back in May that featured an unprecedented 27 candidates vying for the open mayoral seat—available for the first time since 2009 due to Ron Nirenberg’s term limit. Ortiz Jones emerged as the frontrunner during that first round, but her 27% share wasn’t enough to win outright, leading to this decisive June 7 face-off.
Over 143,000 residents cast ballots, including more than 40,000 on election day alone. Voter turnout sat at about 17%, modest but meaningful considering the crowded field and the stakes involved. Ortiz Jones' campaign, deeply rooted in themes of inclusivity and efficient governance, proved effective against Pablos’ more conservative, establishment-backed approach.
Interestingly, the debates leading up to the runoff were not without controversy. One moment that sparked buzz was an allegation from the Pablos camp claiming Jones used a cell phone during a pre-recorded Univision debate, allegedly breaking the rules. Though it stirred some noise, it didn’t appear to sway public sentiment significantly.
Jones, a former Under Secretary of the U.S. Air Force and seasoned political contender from her runs in Congressional District 23, enters office with a fresh mandate and high expectations. The city is watching to see how she navigates pressing issues like economic growth, housing affordability, homelessness, and public safety.
Notably, she also becomes the first mayor under the revised city charter, which changes term limits from four two-year terms to two four-year terms. This means San Antonio’s new leader will have both the time and the platform to implement long-term strategies.
As the city transitions from Mayor Ron Nirenberg’s administration, Ortiz Jones takes the reins with both history and hope on her side. Whether or not you supported her, one thing is clear—San Antonio is stepping into a new era.
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