Gina Ortiz Jones Elected as San Antonio’s Next Mayor in Partisan Runoff
In a historic election, Gina Ortiz Jones, a 44-year-old West Side native and former Air Force Under Secretary, secured her position as San Antonio’s next mayor, triumphing over Rolando Pablos with 54% of the vote in a closely watched runoff on Saturday night. This victory marks a significant step for Jones, who previously campaigned for congressional seats in 2018 and 2020, narrowly losing both races.
The runoff came after a crowded 27-candidate election, where Jones initially built momentum, leading by 10 percentage points. Her campaign, characterized by a focus on dignity and respect, aimed to uplift vulnerable communities, contrasting sharply with conservative Pablos, who garnered support from Texas GOP leaders. Jones plans to prioritize affordable housing and expanded Pre-K programs over corporate developments.
Jones’s election occurs amid heightened political polarization, as this year’s mayoral race illustrated the significant GOP investment in what was intended to be a nonpartisan election. Pablos, nearing the end of his campaign, admitted to feeling surprised by the result, acknowledging the city’s continued Democratic leanings. His campaign strategies included unsubstantiated claims questioning Jones’s identity and intent, further intensifying the bitter rivalry.
Celebrating her win at the Dakota East Side Ice House, Jones expressed her excitement about fostering compassion in leadership during tumultuous times, acknowledging voters’ desire for progressive representation. Her win is emblematic of San Antonio’s demographics, as it is one of the largest majority-Latino cities in the United States, ensuring that the city’s leadership reflects its diverse populace.
With new four-year terms initiated following voter approval last November, Jones and the newly elected City Council will begin their tenures with aspirations of addressing longstanding community issues while remaining attentive to all constituents.
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